Source: http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/law.aspx?d=104846
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 22:43:03+00:00

Document:
A. On or before the first Monday in April of each year the commission shall prepare and present to the governor a printed annual report showing the operations of the commission since the date of its last annual report, showing the amount of money received by it and from what sources, and showing the amount of money expended by it and for what purposes. In each annual report immediately preceding the regular session of the legislature the commission shall include an estimate of proposed expenditures and the expenses for the ensuing year, its prospective revenues and any recommendations for legislative action. The governor shall lay copies of the report before the succeeding legislature. At each regular session the legislature shall appropriate such funds as it deems wise for the continuation of the work of the commission.
(a)(i) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Fund an amount equal to the total of five dollars per license fee and gear fee per annum paid into the treasury by the commission derived from the increase in each of the commercial fisheries license fees imposed by Acts 1984, No. 230 or derived from the fee or fees imposed on any commercial fisheries license established on or after January 1, 1984. This includes five dollars per commercial fisherman's license fee, gear fee, wholesale/retail dealer's license fee, vessel license fee, and transport license fee pursuant to Part VI of Chapter 1 of Title 56 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.
(ii) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the "Oyster Development Fund", the additional fee of five cents for each oyster tag sold pursuant to R.S. 56:449 and paid into the treasury by the commission. All expenditures and allocation of monies from this fund shall be administered by the Louisiana Oyster Task Force. The task force may contract with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to promote the Louisiana oyster industry.
NOTE: Subparagraph (B)(1)(b) effective until July 1, 2020. See Acts 2018, No. 612.
(b)(i) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the "Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Fund", an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to R.S. 56:305(G) and paid into the treasury by the commission. All expenditures and allocation of monies from this fund shall be administered by the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force to be used for the development of markets for shrimp and creation of marketing strategies for the development and market expansion for shrimp harvested from Louisiana waters. The task force may contract with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to promote the Louisiana shrimp industry.
(ii) Pay annually into the Conservation Fund, into a special account entitled the "Shrimp Trade Petition Account", an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to R.S. 56:305(H). Subject to annual appropriation by the legislature, the monies in the fund shall be used exclusively for the purposes of promotion and protection of domestic wild-caught shrimp. For purposes of this Item, promotion and protection of domestic wild-caught shrimp shall include expenses related to the petition filed by the Southern Shrimp Alliance in December 2003 for the imposition of antidumping duties pursuant to Section 731 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. All expenditures and allocation of funds from this account shall be administered by the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force. The monies in this account shall be invested by the state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund and all returns on such investment shall be deposited to the account. All unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining in this account at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the account.
NOTE: Subparagraph (B)(1)(b) eff. July 1, 2020. See Acts 2018, No. 612.
(b) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the "Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Fund", an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to R.S. 56:305(G) and paid into the treasury by the commission. All expenditures and allocation of monies from this fund shall be administered by the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force to be used for the development of markets for shrimp and creation of marketing strategies for the development and market expansion for shrimp harvested from Louisiana waters. The task force may contract with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to promote the Louisiana shrimp industry.
(c) Pay into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the Conservation Fund an amount equal to the total amount of funds paid into the treasury by the commission except those funds for which provision is made in Subparagraphs (a), (b), and (d) of this Paragraph.
(d) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Fund all amounts received pursuant to the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Program provided for in R.S. 56:151 et seq. and such other funds as are specifically appropriated by the legislature.
(e) Pay annually into a special fund created in the state treasury and designated as the "Crab Promotion and Marketing Fund", an amount equal to the fees specified for deposit in R.S. 56:305(B)(2) and (C)(1), 306(B)(6), and 306.1(B)(7). All expenditures and allocations of monies from this fund shall be administered by the Crab Task Force. The task force may contract with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to promote the Louisiana crab industry.
(f) Pay annually into the Conservation Fund, an amount equal to the additional charter fishing fees collected pursuant to R.S. 56:302.1(C)(2)(c) and 302.9(C)(2)(b) and paid into the treasury by the commission. Such funds shall be used by the department for the promotion of the charter boat industry, protection of the fishery, and to provide for administrative costs of the fund. Such funds are to be expended for such purposes through the Louisiana Charter Boat Association.
(g) Between June 1, 2014, and May 31, 2022, pay annually into the Conservation Fund, into a special account designated as the "Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund", an amount equal to the fees collected pursuant to R.S. 56:302.1(C)(1)(c).
(2) The monies in the Conservation Fund shall be used solely for the programs and purposes and in the amounts appropriated each year to the commission by the legislature.
(3) The monies in the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Fund shall be used by the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board to implement the duties and functions of that board relating to the promotion and marketing of seafood as provided in R.S. 56:578.3 in the amounts appropriated each year to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism by the legislature for the use by the board.
(4) Repealed by Acts 1992, No. 984, §18.
(5) The monies in the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Fund shall be used solely for the programs and purposes associated with the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Program as provided by R.S. 56:151 et seq. in the amounts appropriated each year to the department by the legislature.
(6)(a) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "natural heritage account" which shall consist of those revenues collected from the sale of "Wild Louisiana" stamps and prints provided for in R.S. 56:1832 and those funds donated or allocated for the protection and stewardship of Louisiana's wild lands and waters to support the functions of the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for the implementation and administration of Parts I, II, III, and IV of Chapter 8 of this Title and the natural heritage and nongame programs within the department.
(b)(i) Five percent of the net proceeds derived from the fifty dollar fee imposed by R.S. 47:463.45(B) for the black bear prestige license plate shall be used to promote the existence of the black bear prestige license plate and its availability for use on passenger cars, pickup trucks, and vans.
(ii) Five percent of the net proceeds derived from the fifty dollar fee imposed by R.S. 47:463.46(B) for the Louisiana Quail Forever prestige plate shall be used to promote the existence of the Louisiana Quail Forever prestige plate and its availability for use on passenger cars, pickup trucks, recreational vehicles, and vans.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, every hunting and fishing license issued by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall include a notice with a telephone number and mailing address for information on how to acquire a black bear prestige license plate for use on one's passenger car, pickup truck, or van.
(7)(a) The monies in the Louisiana Wild Turkey Fund shall be used solely for the programs and purposes associated with the Louisiana Wild Turkey Program as provided by R.S. 56:161 et seq. in the amounts appropriated each year to the department by the legislature.
(b) The revenues collected from the sale of the Louisiana Wild Turkey Federation license plate provided for in R.S. 47:463.54 shall be used solely for turkey restocking and research purposes in the amounts appropriated each year to the commission by the legislature, with the exception of five dollars per plate sold to be used for the purpose of advertising the license plates.
(8) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "waterfowl account" which shall consist of those revenues collected from the sale of the Ducks Unlimited license plates provided for in R.S. 47:463.53. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for the purpose of conserving, restoring, and enhancing migratory waterfowl habitat in Louisiana. Specific expenditures of the proceeds shall be made in consultation with Louisiana Ducks Unlimited, provided that Louisiana Ducks Unlimited contributes an amount each fiscal year equal to the amount of funds collected from the sale of the license plates placed into the "waterfowl account".
(9) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "black bear account" which shall consist of those revenues collected from the sale of the black bear unlimited license plates provided for in R.S. 47:463.45. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for the purpose of conserving, restoring, and enhancing black bear habitat in Louisiana.
(10) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "quail account" which shall consist of those revenues collected from the sale of the Louisiana Quail Forever license plates provided for in R.S. 47:463.46. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for the purpose of conserving, restoring, and enhancing quail habitat in Louisiana.
(11) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "white tail deer account" which shall consist of those revenues collected from the sale of the white tail deer license plates provided for in R.S. 47:463.86. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely for programs pertaining to the white tail deer in Louisiana.
(12) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "enforcement emergency situation response account", which shall consist of funds received from federal grant reimbursements, contracts or cooperative agreements, interagency transfers, other grants or other resources to recoup monies for services which are designated for deposit into this account, and those revenues as provided in R.S. 56:40.9(A). All revenues to this account shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The funds in this account shall be used solely by the enforcement division of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for emergency situation preparedness, operations in emergency situations, responses to emergency situations, and emergency search and rescue operations, as appropriated annually by the legislature.
(13) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program Account", which shall consist of funds received from revenues as provided in R.S. 56:302.3(B)(1) and (C) and 305(B)(2) and (C)(1), donations, and from any other source which may specify deposit to this account. The revenues in the account shall be subject to the same requirements as other revenues in the Conservation Fund. All expenditures and allocations of funds from this account shall be for the administration and implementation of the derelict crab trap removal program.
(14) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "Rare and Endangered Species Account", which shall consist of revenues collected from the sale of the "Rare and Endangered Species" special prestige license plate provided for in R.S. 47:463.150, donations, and any other source which may specify deposit to this account. The revenues in the account shall be subject to the same requirements as other revenues in the Conservation Fund. All expenditures and allocations of funds from this account shall be used solely for purposes of conserving, restoring, and enhancing rare and endangered species habitats in Louisiana.
(15)(a) There is hereby created within the Conservation Fund a special account known as the "litter abatement and education account" which shall consist of donations collected from the sale of the environmental education license plate provided for in R.S. 47:463.43; revenue received by the Conservation Fund from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles as provided in R.S. 32:412; revenue received by the Conservation Fund from fines for violations of the provisions of Part I of Chapter 21 of Subtitle II of Title 30 as provided in R.S. 30:2531 and 2532; funds from public or private donations and any other source which may specify deposit to this account; and any remaining balance in the Louisiana Environmental Education Fund as of August 15, 2011. The revenues shall be subject to the same requirements as provided for other revenues placed in the Conservation Fund in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.
(i) To develop, review, approve, and implement a plan for statewide environmental education.
(ii) To provide for environmental education grant programs in the state.
(iii) To develop an environmental education curriculum framework.
(iv) To develop guidelines for incorporating environmental education into teacher education requirements.
(v) To develop environmental education teacher professional development.
(vi) To provide for formal environmental education.
(vii) To provide for litter abatement and enforcement.
(viii) To support community-based litter abatement programs.
(ix) To develop, disseminate, and assess litter education and awareness programs and materials.
(16)(a) The monies in the Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund shall be used solely for the administration and conducting of the Louisiana Recreational Creel Survey (LACREEL), the Recreational Offshore Landing Permit program (ROLP), and the saltwater fish stock estimate.
(i) To create any exempted fishing permit program or pilot program as recognized and granted by the United States Department of Commerce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - National Marine Fisheries Service, that establishes a limited access or entry program for licensed fishermen, either voluntarily or required, fishing in territorial waters, including the boundary from the shoreline to a distance nine miles into the Gulf of Mexico, as established by federal law.
(aa) The issuance of fish harvest tags.
(bb) The issuance of fish harvest tags on a "first-come, first-served basis" for more than eighty percent of the total allowable catch of an individual species of fish.
(cc) The limitation of the days at sea that further restrict access to a number of days that differs from seasons established for all licensed fishermen by the department or the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
(dd) The creation of fisheries unit efforts or effort units or any other program that limits access for licensed fishermen to fish other than the beginning and end dates of established seasons as determined by the secretary in consultation with the commission or seasons set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
(ee) The creation or enforcement of any individual fishing quota or individual transferrable quota systems for licensed fishermen, licensed charter boat fishing guides, and federally permitted licensed charter boat operations in which vessels used in that operation are registered in the state.
(ff) The establishment of any mandatory reporting programs by licensed fishermen, including required advanced notification of any department personnel prior to commencement of a fishing trip by licensed fishermen.
(gg) The creation of any mandatory reporting program in which licensed fishermen are required to report their catch immediately upon returning to port after fishing unless during a dockside intercept conducted by department personnel conducting dockside intercept surveys on behalf of LACREEL or ROLP.
(c) If the department violates Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph, the treasurer shall not release any more monies credited to the Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund to the department, until such time as the department ceases its violation.
(d) The department shall make an annual report to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment on the progress and effectiveness of LACREEL and the saltwater fish stock estimate.
C. The commission shall keep a set of books showing from whom every dollar is received and for what purpose and to whom every dollar is paid and for what purpose. It also shall keep in its file vouchers or receipts for all moneys paid out.
D. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Fund, the Oyster Development Fund, the Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Fund, the Crab Promotion and Marketing Fund, the Louisiana Duck License, Stamp, and Print Fund, the Louisiana Wild Turkey Fund, and the Conservation Fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the respective funds. The monies in the funds shall be invested by the treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund. All interest earned on monies invested by the treasurer shall be deposited in the respective funds. The state treasurer shall prepare and submit to the department on a quarterly basis a printed report showing the amount of money contained in the funds from all sources.
Amended by Acts 1972, No. 494, §1; Acts 1974, No. 717, §1; Acts 1975, No. 343, §1; Acts 1983, No. 602, §1; Acts 1984, No. 230, §1, eff. June 29, 1984; Acts 1984, No. 883, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 904, §§3, 4; Acts 1988, No. 632, §§1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1992, No. 193, §1; Acts 1992, No. 984, §§17, 18; Acts 1995, No. 225, §1; Acts 1995, No. 448, §1; Acts 1995, No. 535, §2; Acts 1997, No. 70, §2; Acts 1997, No. 660, §2; Acts 1997, No. 962, §2; Acts 1997, No. 1158, §2; Acts 1999, No. 735, §2; Acts 1999, No. 772, §1; Acts 2001, No. 270, §1; Acts 2001, No. 663, §1; Acts 2003, No. 357, §1; Acts 2003, No. 784, §1; Acts 2004, No. 904, §1, eff. July 12, 2004; Acts 2005, No. 172, §1; Acts 2008, No. 722, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 100, §1; Acts 2010, No. 606, §2; Acts 2010, No. 991, §2; Acts 2011, No. 265, §5, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2011, No. 375, §1, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2013, No. 40, §1; Acts 2013, No. 228, §2, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 804, §1, eff. June 1, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 81, §2; Acts 2017, No. 404, §1; Acts 2018, No. 41, §1, eff. May 10, 2018; Acts 2018, No. 509, §3; Acts 2018, No. 612, §18, eff. July 1, 2020.

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