Louisiana SB 296: WILDLIFE/FISHERIES DEPT: Increases the membership of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. (See Act) (EG +$2,752 GF EX See Note)

Bill Text

SLS 26RS-624 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 296
BY SENATOR KLEINPETER
WILDLIFE/FISHERIES DEPT. Increases the membership of the Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries Commission. (See Act)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 36:601(A) and R.S. 56:1(B) and (C), relative to the Louisiana
3 Wildlife and Fisheries Commission; to provide for the membership of the
4 commission; to increase the number of members of the commission; to provide for
5 terms; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 36:601(A) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 §601. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
9 A. The control and supervision of the wildlife of the state, including all
10 aquatic life, is vested in the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. The
11 commission shall be in the executive branch and shall consist of seven nine members
12 appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Six members shall
13 serve for overlapping terms of six years, and one member three members shall serve
14 for a term concurrent with that of the governor. Three members shall be electors of
15 the coastal parishes and representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries,
16 and four six shall be electors from the state at large other than representatives of the
17 commercial fishing and fur industries as provided by law. No member who has
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. 296
SLS 26RS-624 ENGROSSED
1 served six years or more shall be eligible for reappointment.
2 Section 2. R.S. 56:1(B) and (C) hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
3 §1. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission established; membership; qualifications;
4 definitions
5 * * *
6 B. The commission shall consist of seven nine members appointed by the
7 governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Six of the members shall each serve
8 for overlapping terms of six years, and one three shall serve for a term concurrent
9 with that of the governor.
10 C. Three members of the commission shall be electors of the coastal parishes
11 and representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries. The other four six
12 shall be electors from the state at large, other than representatives of the commercial
13 fishing and fur industries.
14 * * *
15 Section 3. This Act shall take effect and become operative if and when the proposed
16 amendment of Article IX, Section 7 of the Constitution of Louisiana contained in the Act
17 which originated as Senate Bill No. 249 of this 2026 Regular Session of the Legislature is
18 adopted at the statewide election to be held on November 3, 2026, and becomes effective.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, 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)]
DIGEST
SB 296 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Kleinpeter
Present law provides that the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission consist of seven
members to be appointed by the governor.
Proposed law increases the membership from 7 to 9.
Proposed law becomes effective if, as, and when the amendment to the constitution proposed
by SB 249 of the 2026 R.S. is adopted at a statewide election and becomes effective.
(Amends R.S. 36:601(A) and R.S. 56:1(B) and (C))
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.