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 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Riser
Abstract: Establishes resident and nonresident infant lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for
children under three years old.
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 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.
(Amends R.S. 56:649.7 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.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Remove section of the bill adding bear hunting privileges to all resident lifetime hunting
and fishing licenses.
2. Remove increase to the resident adult lifetime license, returning the license fee to the
present law $500.00.
3. Remove the proposed law change to infant combination lifetime hunting and fishing
licenses making them available to children under the age of three and revert back to the
present law application from birth to five years old, until June 1, 2022.
4. Remove language authorizing the secretary of the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries to
adjust lifetime license fees for inflation.
5. Remove section of the bill making effectiveness of the bill dependent on the passage of
HB 684.
6. Make technical changes.