The Louisiana Senate passed HB 1082 this past Thursday. The House Bill, had been introduced in March by Republican Stuart J. Bishop and cosponsored by Democrat Eugene Reynolds, The Louisiana House approved the bill at the end of April.  All the bill requires now is the signature of Governor Bobby Jindal.

The bill will raise the cost of the annual resident saltwater fishing license from $5.50 to $13.00.

According to the bill, the increased revenue will be dedicated to “saltwater fish research and conservation; to create the Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund; and to provide for related matters.”

The Bill, which passed the Senate vote 36-1 and the House vote 74-17, was supported by the Coastal Conservation Association and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

According to the bill, the new fee was set to go into action on June 1, but the Governor has not yet signed the bill. Louisiana residents’ 2013-2014 annual licenses expire on June 30. If you want to avoid the $7.50 increase, you may want to purchase your 2014-2015 license before the Governor signs the bill in the next few days.

FISH ON!

 

Coastal Conservation Association, fish, Fishing, Fishing License, Louisiana, Regulations

By Sid

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