This was a very dismal and disappointing session for animal welfare legislation, except for the perserverance and tenacity of Rep. Ligi and Julia Breaux with HSUS. THANKS to you both!  Protection of domestic animals was mostly ignored, and our wildlife put in harm's way.
Thanks again to all who spoke for those who cannot.

(Note¹:  Bills with Act #’s have passed and signed by the Governor)

(Note^2:: Language in italics are the observations of  COLAA)

HB 109 (Act 8) by Rep. Champagne:  A bill dealing with breeding fees.  Although we did not receive a response from Rep. Champagne, it was determined that this bill was not a reference to a challenge regarding care of carriage horses.

Full text:  http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=798944

HB 163 (Breeders Bill) by Rep. Ligi:  Assigned to the House Agriculture, Forestry,l Aquaculture, and Rural Development Committee and considered on April 12^th.  Bill died in Committee.  Huge opposition from the AKC and local breeders.

Full text:  http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=772216

HB 164 (Act 177) by Reps. Burford, Allain, and Long;  A bill to amend and reenact R.S. 3:742, relative to livestock inspections; to provide for inspection of cattle; and to provide for related matters.

Full text:  http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=805601

HB 231 (Act 700) by Rep. Ligi:  To enact R.S. 14:102.27, relative to offenses affecting public sensibility; to create the crime of unlawful sale of a live dog or cat at certain locations; to provide for definitions; to provide for penalties; to provide for exceptions; and to provide for related matters.  This is the only bill passed in this legislative session that benefits the welfare of animals.  Please consider contacting Rep. Ligi at ligit@legis.la.gov to thank him for his many efforts on animal welfare legislation.

Full text:  http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=812051

HB 233 by Reps. Burford and Reynolds: To allow night hunting of nuisance animals year-round on private property. This bill died during the session and would have allowed taking of outlaw quadrupeds, nutria, or beaver during nighttime hours at any time of year, may do so with or without the aid of dogs, and would not have required written permission of  landowner.

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=789107

SB 341 (Act 364) by Sen. Claitor:  This bill is relative to the firearm and hunter education courses; to provide for firearm and hunter education requirements; to provide terms and conditions for exceptions from firearm and hunter education.  Effectively weakens the education requirements of disabled hunters and hunters under the age of 18.

Full text:  http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=809383

SB 531 (Act 561) by Sen. Peacock:  This bill provides for penalties for criminal trespass; for forfeiture of and payment for the killing of wildlife in the course of a criminal trespass, and creates the Fish and Wildlife Violations Reward Fund. 

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=805829

HB 557 (Act 90) by Rep. Hensgens: Bill allowing the trapping of outlaw quadrupeds without special permit in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the commission.

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=801449

HB 570 (Act 267) by Rep. Montoucet:  This bill is relative to shipping alligator parts and skins; provides that the Public Records Law shall not apply to certain records received and held by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries relative to the alligator industry; to require certain shipper and receiver information be attached to alligator parts or skins prior to shipping; and to provide for related matters.

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=807302

HB 602 (Act 204) by Rep. Chaney; Senators Allain, Long and Thompson:  The Louisiana Board of Animal Health shall have the powers and duties - to issue cease and desist orders when a violation that is endangering or causing significant damage to animal health or commerce is occurring or is about to occur.  We hope this means that this will mean more eyes, with power, on the health and welfare of livestock.

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=805649

HB 676 by Reps. Willmott and Ligi: This bill would have prohibited the transportation of domestic animals in pickup truck beds and utility trailers on certain roadways unless safely crated.  Effectively died in the Ag Committee Hearing.  Would have been an excellent bill; please contact Rep. Willmott willmott@legis.la.gov and thank him for introducing and supporting this bill.  Encourage him to re-introduce.

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=779314

SB 260 by Sen. Walsworth:  Provides that all parish governing authorities shall have the authority to prohibit certain roadside sales of animals.  This bill was introduced and kept on hold, until needed, if  Rep. Ligi’s bill HB 231 had not had a successful outcome.  Please contact Sen. Walsworth walsworthm@legis.la.gov to thank him for his introduction of this bill.

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=777410

HCR 6 and SCR 16 (Filed with the Sec. of State) by Rep. Stuart and Sen. Cortez: This concurrent resolution specified accreditation requirements for exemption from Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rules governing possession of exotic cats.  This resolution was filed specifically for the Zoo of Acadiana located in Broussard to relieve it of the guideline and cost burdens of the AZA as long as it meets the American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s (AZA) standards for enclosures.  All references to the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), an organization that mostly certifies roadside zoos and breeding facilities, were deleted from the resolution.  It is our understanding that the Zoo of Acadiana remains under the overview of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries.

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=796787

SB 370 (Act 550) by Sen. Crowe:  This bill is relative to wild birds and wild quadrupeds; to provide for special permits and licenses for the entertainment industry to take and possess certain wildlife; and to provide for related matters. This bill allows “representatives” of the entertainment industry to injure, maim ,or kill our wildlife, in or out of season, as long as it’s entertaining.

Full text: http://legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=810803