HLS 24RS-378 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 409
BY REPRESENTATIVE FIRMENT
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides relative to harassment of hunters, trappers, and
fishermen on lands and waters managed by the state
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 56:648(2) and 648.1(introductory paragraph), relative to
3 harassment and disturbance of hunters, trappers, and fishermen; to provide
4 definitions; to expand the state lands and waters on which the prohibition against
5 harassment and disturbance applies; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:648(2) and 648.1(introductory paragraph) is hereby amended and
8reenacted to read as follows:
9 §648. Definitions
10 As used in this Subpart, the following definitions shall apply:
11 * * *
12 (2) "Process of taking" means any act directed at the lawful taking of a wild
13 animal, including the acts of travel, camping, or other activity occurring in
14 preparation for the taking which occurs on state-managed lands or waters governed
15 by the provisions of R.S. 56:781-R.S. 56:787 or which occurs on private lands or
16 waters with the permission of the owner or his agent.
17 §648.1. Harassment and disturbance prohibited
18 No person shall engage in any of the following activities on lands or waters
19 managed by the state pursuant to R.S. 56:781 through R.S. 56:787, or upon private
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-378 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 409
1 lands or waters where a hunter, trapper, or fisherman has been given permission by
2 the owner or his agent to take wild animals:
3 * * *
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 409 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Firment
Abstract: Prohibits the harassment and disturbance of trappers, hunters, and fishermen on
all lands and waters managed by the state, rather than restricting the prohibition to
state managed wildlife refuges, wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife management areas,
public hunting grounds, and upland game preserves.
Present law prohibits the harassment and disturbance of trappers, hunters, and fishermen on
lands and waters managed by the state pursuant to present law regarding wildlife refuges,
wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife management areas, public hunting grounds, and upland game
preserves.
Proposed law removes the present law restriction to only those state-managed lands and
waters within wildlife refuges, wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife management areas, public
hunting grounds, and upland game preserves, so that proposed law prohibits harassment and
disturbance of trappers, hunters, and fishermen on all state-managed lands and waters.
(Amends R.S. 56:648(2) and 648.1(intro. para.))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Remove language specifically including the Northwest Louisiana Game and Fish
Preserve within state-managed lands and waters.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.