Thread: Bill passed
View Single Post
  #22  
Old 07-10-2014, 01:01 PM
Reggoh's Avatar
Reggoh Reggoh is offline
Tripletail
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Iowa, LA
Posts: 724
Cash: 1,454
Default

Some interesting points I found on H.B. 1082:


Here are a few highlights of the House Bill 1082:
  • The bill would create a special account within the conservation fund. $7.50 of each standard saltwater license sold would go into this account, called the Saltwater Fish Research and Conservation Fund.
  • Those dollars would be used specifically for enhanced data collection and to implement an enhanced science based management program.
  • The new program will be similar to the one implemented by the State for red snapper in 2013, but would include all inshore recreational species and many offshore species.
  • The program will use at the dock surveys across the coast and throughout the year, performed by LDWF biologists, to gather data on anglers and their catch. Follow-up surveys will be administered using email and phone calls.
  • This new program will allow fisheries managers to gather basin specific information, and could allow for regulations that respond to the needs of each region or basin, rather than only statewide regulations that may or may not be appropriate for certain areas.
  • The dollars in the fund will be constitutionally protected from being swept. CCA and the team at LDWF agrees that this fund is as "water tight" as a fund can get.
  • The increase would not apply to senior, lifetime or out of state licenses.
  • The bill will have a sunset provision which means it will have to be reauthorized in 4 years.
  • At $5.50, Louisiana has the lowest saltwater fee in the Gulf...and the 2nd lowest in the United States. (AL- $22.50, FL-$17.50, MS-$10, TX- $35...national average- $14.72)
I think this bill is going to the House for vote soon right?
Reply With Quote