DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 400 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Riser
Abstract: Establishes resident and nonresident infant lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for
children under three years old, increases the fee for adult resident lifetime hunting and fishing
licenses, and authorizes the secretary of the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to adjust lifetime
license fees for inflation starting three years after these changes go into effect. Specifies that
lifetime licenses for residents will also include the privileges of bear hunting licenses,
contingent on the passage of HB 684 which would create a bear hunting license for residents.
Present law recognizes lifetime hunting licenses, combination lifetime hunting and fishing licenses,
nonresident combination lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, and infant lifetime combination
hunting and fishing licenses and provides what hunting, fishing, and WMA access privileges are
included with each type of lifetime license.
Present law provides that until June 1, 2022, the infant lifetime combination license may be
purchased for children up to five years old.
Proposed law re-creates the infant lifetime combination license for children under three years old and
requires the department to make such licenses available starting Jan. 1, 2025.
Present law provides that resident lifetime hunting license holders are entitled to the privileges of
the basic hunting, deer, waterfowl, and turkey hunting licenses and the basic WMA access permit.
Proposed law adds bear hunting license privileges to those held by resident lifetime hunting
licensees, contingent on the passage of HB 684.
Present law provides that resident combination lifetime hunting and sports fishing license holders
are entitled to the privileges of the basic hunting, deer, waterfowl, and turkey hunting licenses; basic
fishing, saltwater, crab, and recreational fishing gear licenses; and the basic WMA access permit.
Proposed law adds bear hunting license privileges to those held by resident combination lifetime
hunting and fishing licensees, contingent on the passage of HB 684.
Present law provides that nonresident combination hunting and fishing lifetime licenses entitle the
holder to the privileges of the basic hunting, deer, waterfowl, and turkey hunting licenses; basic
fishing, saltwater, crab, and recreational fishing gear licenses; and the basic WMA access permit.
Proposed law retains present law. Present law provides that infant combination lifetime hunting and fishing license holders are entitled
to the privileges of the basic hunting, deer, waterfowl, and turkey hunting licenses; basic fishing,
saltwater, crab, and recreational fishing gear licenses; and the basic WMA access permit.
Proposed law retains present law privileges for nonresident infant lifetime license holders.
Proposed law adds bear hunting license privileges to those privileges held by a resident infant
lifetime license holder, contingent on the passage of HB 684.
Present law establishes fees for lifetime combination hunting and fishing licenses for residents,
nonresidents, resident youth, and resident seniors.
Proposed law adds fees for resident ($500) and nonresident ($1,000) infant lifetime licenses.
Proposed law removes the resident youth lifetime license.
Proposed law increases the existing fee for resident adult lifetime licenses from $500 to $1,000.
Proposed law authorizes the department to index all lifetime license fees for inflation based on the
percentage increase published in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers over the period
of time since the last adjustment. This authorization begins July 1, 2028, and adjustments may be
taken each July.
Section 1 of the bill will not be effective if HB 684 of this 2024 R.S. of the legislature becomes law.
Section 2 of the bill will not be effective if HB 684 of this 2024 R.S. of the legislature does not
becomes law.
(Amends R.S. 56:649.1, 649.3(A), 649.4, 649.7, and 3005)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Change the time of year the department can make adjustments for inflation from January
to July each year.
2. Specify that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, rather than the general
Consumer Price Index, be used for inflation adjustments by the department.
3. Authorizes the department to make adjustments using the percentage increase over the
period of time since the last adjustment or change to the fee, rather than the annual
percentage increase. 4. Add bear hunting license privileges to those privileges included with the purchase of
resident lifetime hunting licenses and resident lifetime hunting and fishing licenses,
contingent upon the passage of HB 684.
5. Add language on effectiveness to provide that:
(a)If HB 684 of the 2024 Regular Session establishing a bear hunting license passes,
Section 1 of the bill that does not incorporate bear hunting privileges will not take
effect.
(b)If HB 684 of the 2024 Regular Session establishing a bear hunting license fails,
Section 2 of the bill which incorporates references to bear privileges will not take
effect.