SLS 24RS-475 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 273
BY SENATOR HENSGENS
FISH/FISHING. Provides for bait shrimp. (8/1/24)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 56:497(B)(2), relative to taking of bait shrimp; to provide for the
3 duty and authority of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission; to provide
4 for a special bait dealers permit; to provide for use of certain gear; and to provide for
5 related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 56:497(B)(2)is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง497. Saltwater shrimp seasons; bait shrimp
9 * * *
10 B. (1) * * *
11 (2) Bait shrimp may be taken in state waters during the closed seasons, but
12 only in cast nets; dip nets with a diameter not to exceed three feet operated only by
13 hand without any mechanical device or pulley whatsoever; bait traps; and bait seines
14 in compliance with R.S. 56:323 and 500(B). No bait shrimp may be taken in state
15 waters during closed seasons with the use of a butterfly net, paupier, skimmer net,
16 trawl, night trawl, or beam trawl except as set forth in this Subpart provided by the
17 commission pursuant to Subsection C of this Section.
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 273
SLS 24RS-475 ENGROSSED
1 * * *
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jacob K. Wilson.
DIGEST
SB 273 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Hensgens
Present law provides for taking of bait shrimp in the closed season with certain gear and
prohibits the use of butterfly nets, paupiers, skimmer nets, trawls, night trawls, or beam
trawls to take bait shrimp in the closed season, except as provided in statute.
Present law authorizes the La. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to adopt rules and
regulations to provide for a special bait dealers permit.
Proposed law retains present law and specifies that the commission may provide for the use
of butterfly nets, paupiers, skimmer nets, trawls, night trawls, or beam trawls under its bait
dealers permitting authority.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 56:497(B)(2))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Natural Resources to
the original bill
1. Makes technical amendment to correct name of commission.
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.