HLS 24RS-307 RE-REENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 653
BY REPRESENTATIVES VENTRELLA, MCMAHEN, AND THOMPSON
AGRICULTURE: Creates the Louisiana Commemorative Pet Stamp Program
1 AN ACT
2To enact Subpart B of Part VI of Chapter 17 of Title 3 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
3 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 3:2481 through 2484, relative to the Louisiana
4 Commemorative Pet Stamp Program and its purposes; to provide for definitions; to
5 provide for the design, sale, and marketing of commemorative pet stamps and prints;
6 to provide for the annual creation of commemorative pet stamps by regulation; to
7 provide for the creation of the Commemorative Pet Stamp Fund; to provide relative
8 to transfer and distribution of funds; to provide for maintenance of financial records;
9 to provide for uses and expenditures; and to provide for related matters.
10Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11 Section 1. Subpart B of Part VI of Chapter 17 of Title 3 of the Louisiana Revised
12Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 3:2481 through 2484, is hereby enacted to read as
13follows:
14 SUBPART B. LOUISIANA COMMEMORATI VE PET STAMP PROGRAM
15 §2481. Purpose
16 The primary purpose of the Louisiana Commemorative Stamp Program is to
17 generate revenue to support the spay and neuter programs of the Louisiana Pet
18 Overpopulation Advisory Council and its related projects.
Page 1 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-307 RE-REENGROSSED
HB NO. 653
1 §2482. Definitions
2 For the purposes of this Subpart, the following definitions shall apply:
3 (1) "Council" means the Louisiana Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council.
4 (2) "Fund" means the Commemorative Pet Stamp Fund.
5 (3) "Program" means the Louisiana Commemorative Pet Stamp Program.
6 (4) "Qualified entities" means any veterinarian licensed in this state,
7 veterinary hospital, or organization qualified as a tax-exempt organization under
8 Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.
9 §2483. Design, marketing, and sale of commemorative pet stamps and prints;
10 regulations
11 The council or its agents shall provide by regulation for the annual creation
12 of commemorative pet stamps and prints, the manner of selection of art and artist,
13 the submission process, the manner of reproduction, distribution, marketing and sale
14 of such stamps and prints, and the criteria for its annual contests. The council may
15 sell such stamps and prints by any method and platform it deems to be most
16 beneficial to the council, including public or private auction or direct sale to an
17 individual, group, or organization. The cost for a commemorative pet stamp shall
18 be no less than fifteen dollars for residents and nonresidents. The council shall retain
19 exclusive ownership and production rights to the design for reproduction of
20 commemorative pet stamps and prints to sell to interested persons. Upon completion
21 of this process, the original artwork shall be returned to the artist.
22 §2484. Commemorative Pet Stamp Fund; distribution of funds
23 A. There is hereby created in the state treasury as a special fund the
24 Commemorative Pet Stamp Fund. Monies shall be deposited into the fund by the
25 state treasurer after compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B)
26 of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.
27 In addition to revenues otherwise provided in this Section, the source of monies
28 deposited into the fund shall be any monies appropriated or transferred to the fund,
29 monies collected by the council pursuant to the program, and any monies designated
Page 2 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-307 RE-REENGROSSED
HB NO. 653
1 for the fund and received by the state treasurer from donations, gifts, or grants for the
2 program. Monies in the fund shall be invested in the same manner as monies in the
3 state general fund and unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end
4 of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund. Interest earned on the investment of
5 monies in the fund shall be deposited in and credited to the fund. The state treasurer
6 shall prepare and submit to the council on a quarterly basis a printed report showing
7 the balance of the fund.
8 B. Monies in the fund shall be used solely by the council for programs and
9 purposes as provided in this Subpart. The council may distribute monies from the
10 fund to qualified entities and may award such monies in the form of a grant and in
11 the amount it deems appropriate. The council may use up to fifteen percent of the
12 revenues received annually pursuant to the program for promotion, marketing, and
13 administrative costs associated with the program.
14 Section 2. The Louisiana State Law Institute is hereby authorized and directed to
15redesignate R.S. 3:2471 through 2476 as "SUBPART A. ADOPTION AND
16STERILIZATION"
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 653 Re-Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Ventrella
Abstract: Establishes the La. Commemorative Pet Stamp Program and provides for
funding.
Proposed law creates the La. Commemorative Pet Stamp Program (program) and provides
for administration by the La. Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council (council).
Proposed law authorizes the council to promote the annual creation of commemorative pet
stamps. Authorizes the council to regulate the program as it relates to the design, sale, and
marketing of stamps and prints and the criteria for the art and artist for its annual contest.
Further provides that commemorative pet stamps created pursuant to the program will be
sold for no less than $15.
Proposed law establishes a fund in the state treasury, to be known as the Commemorative
Pet Stamp Fund (fund). Provides for deposit, investment, and use of monies in the fund.
Further requires the state treasurer, on a quarterly basis, to provide a report to the council on
the balance in the fund.
Page 3 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-307 RE-REENGROSSED
HB NO. 653
Proposed law requires monies in the fund be used by the council for the programs and
purposes provided in proposed law. Authorizes the use of fund monies for grants to
qualified entities. Defines "qualified entities" as any veterinarian licensed in La., veterinary
hospital, or organization qualified as a federally tax-exempt organization. Further authorizes
the council to use up to 15% of the revenues received annually for promotion, marketing,
and administrative costs associated with the program.
Proposed law directs the La. State Law Institute to make technical changes with respect to
designation of certain present law provisions.
(Adds R.S. 3:2481-2484)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the
engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Consolidate provisions in proposed law regarding the establishment of the fund
and providing for the deposit, investment, and use of monies therein.
3. Delete provisions requiring: (1) the council to maintain a checking account at a
La. licensed bank for monies withdrawn from the fund, (2) time limits for the
treasurer to transfer monies from the fund into the checking account, and (3)
annual audit of the financial records of the council by the legislative auditor's
staff.
4. Direct the La. State Law Institute to make certain technical changes with respect
to designation of specific present law provisions.
The House Floor Amendments to the reengrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
Page 4 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.