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)]
HR 119 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Mike Johnson
Requests the chairman House Committee of Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural
Development to appoint a subcommittee, entitled the La. Emergency Beetle Committee, to study and
recommend rules and actions to address forest devastation caused by beetle infestation, problems
related to dead trees on private properties near power lines and other issues and effects on public
rights-of-way caused by the danger and effects of such dead trees, and to consider whether certain
regulations by the Dept. of Environmental Quality may be suspended during emergency situations
caused by natural disasters.
Provides that the state representative for House District 27 serve as the chairman of the
subcommittee and specifies that he shall have all the rights and privileges of a member of the
standing committee on the subcommittee.
Requires the subcommittee to solicit the input, recommendation, and advice of the following entities:
(1)The La. Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
(2)The La. Public Service Commission.
(3)The La. Forestry Association.
(4)The Police Jury Association of La.
(5)The La. Municipal Assoc.
(6)The La. Department of Environmental Quality.
(7)The La. Division of Administration.
(8)The office of the governor.
(9)The La. Loggers Assoc.
(10)The La. Department of Insurance.
(11)The La. Arborist Assoc. Provides that the subcommittee advocate in support of the Congressional bill, S. 3838 of the 118th
Congress, also known as the Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act of 2024, and to request the La.
congressional delegation to support such Act as well as any other Congressional instruments that
address the issue of beetle infestation; and to focus its study on raising public awareness on beetle
infestation, the dangers of it, and making recommendations on prevention or a remediation plan.
Provides for the subcommittee to convene its first meeting by Aug. 1, 2024, and to hold such
meetings as may be necessary to fulfill its duties. Requires the House Committee on Agriculture,
Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development to provide staff assistance to the commission upon
the request of the chairman of the subcommittee.
Requires the subcommittee to submit a report of its findings and recommendations of rules and
actions by Jan. 15, 2025, to the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural
Development, the commissioner of the La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, and the David R.
Poynter Legislative Research Library.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry,
Aquaculture, and Rural Development to the original resolution:
1. Make a technical change.
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the engrossed resolution:
1. Add La. Arborist Assoc. to list of entities to be solicited for input, recommendations, and
advice by the subcommittee.
2. Specify that the chairman of the subcommittee shall have all the rights and privileges of
a standing committee member of the subcommittee.