RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
HR 119 2024 Regular Session Mike Johnson
Requests the chairman of the 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 input, recommendations, 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.
(12)The Assoc. of La. Electric Cooperatives.
Provides that the subcommittee must 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 make
recommendations on prevention or a remediation plan.
Requires the subcommittee convene its first meeting by Aug. 1, 2024, and 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
subcommittee 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.