The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Curry Lann.
DIGEST
SB 205 Original 2022 Regular Session Jackson
Present law (R.S. 3:1201 et seq.) provides for the "Soil Conservation Districts Law" and creates the
state soil and water conservation commission and soil and water conservation districts.
Present law provides for the purposes of the "Soil Conservation Districts Law", including the
conservation of the soil and soil resources of this state.
Proposed law adds the conservation of soil health to the list of purposes and otherwise retains present
law.
Proposed law defines the following terms:
(1)"Soil health" means the overall composition of the soil, including the amount of organic
matter in and water holding capacity of the soil, and the continued capacity of soil to function
as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.
(2)"Soil health practices" means agricultural practices that improve the health of soils, including
but not limited to consideration of depth of topsoil horizons, water infiltration rate, organic
carbon content, nutrient content, bulk density, biological activity, biological and
microbiological diversity, and minimization of bare ground.
Present law requires the members of the old state soil and water conservation commission created
by law prior to August 1, 1956, to continue to serve until the new members of the state soil and water
conservation commission are elected.
Proposed law removes obsolete provisions of present law.
Present law requires the chairman of the old state soil and water conservation commission to notify
the soil and water conservation district supervisors of the time and the place that an election is to be
held within 45 days after August 1, 1956.
Proposed law requires the chairman of the state soil and water conservation commission to notify
the soil and water conservation district supervisors of the time and the place that an election is to be
held as provided by law.
Proposed law requires a state convention to be held upon the call of the chairman of the state soil
and water conservation commission and requires the chairman to provide notice to the soil and water
conservation district supervisors. Present law provides for the powers of the state soil and water conservation commission, including
the power to assist and guide districts in the preparation and carrying out of programs for resource
conservation authorized by law.
Present law adds the preparation and carrying out of programs for soil health to the list of powers
of the commission and otherwise retains present law.
Proposed law corrects a reference in law from the Soil Conservation Service of the United States
Department of Agriculture to the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States
Department of Agriculture.
Present law provides for the powers of the soil and water conservation districts.
Proposed law adds soil health, soil health improvements, soil health practices aiding enhanced food
and fiber production, conservation of natural resources, and adaptation to changes in climate and
environment to the list of powers and otherwise retains present law.
Proposed law provides for technical corrections.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 3:1201(C) and (D), 1202(3), 1204(A)(2) and (D)(1) and (12), and 1208(1), (2), (6),
and (7); adds R.S. 3:1202(13) and (14))