HB 497: FISHING: Provides for the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program (EN NO IMPACT See Note) - Louisiana

HB497 Original → HB497 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill enrolls HB 497 into law, finalizing the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program. It clarifies that the program is jointly managed by the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, the Charter Boat Association, and the Restaurant Association, rather than solely by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The law also removes a $20 annual participation fee, making the program free for retailers and captains to join.

Scope change

The program's management structure was expanded to include the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, and the list of eligible participants was clarified to explicitly include anyone in the captain's, fisherman's, or hunter's party.

SCOPE

Added the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board as a co-manager of the program alongside the Charter Boat Association and Restaurant Association.

FISCAL

Deleted the $20 annual fee required for retailers and captains to participate in the program.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that fish and alligator must be labeled with the specific date and time caught, plus the full name and address of the provider.

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly confirmed that fish can be prepared for consumption by any person in the charter boat captain's, fisherman's, or hunter's party.

HB497 Enrolled → HB497 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program by adding a $25 annual fee for participation and expanding eligibility to include charter boat captains and their parties, alongside existing recreational fishermen and alligator hunters. It also requires stricter labeling standards, mandating that fish or alligator meat be labeled with the specific date and time of capture, along with the full name and address of the provider. These changes aim to generate funding for program promotion while ensuring clearer traceability of the seafood served in restaurants.

Scope change

The program's scope of eligible providers was expanded to include charter boat captains and their parties, in addition to recreational fishermen and alligator hunters.

FISCAL

Changed the participation fee from no fee to a $25 annual fee, with the revenue designated for promoting the program.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility to allow licensed charter boat captains and anyone in their party to provide fish or alligator to participating restaurants.

REQUIREMENT

Updated labeling requirements to explicitly include the date and time the fish or alligator were caught, as well as the full name and address of the provider.

Added the Louisiana Charter Boat Association and Louisiana Restaurant Association as partners in establishing and promoting the program.

HB497 Reengrossed → HB497 Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 8, 2025

MINOR

The bill transitioned from a 'Reengrossed' version containing House and Floor amendments to the final 'Enrolled' version ready for signature. The most significant substantive change is the removal of a proposed $20 permit fee for participating in the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program, making the program free for restaurants and captains. Additionally, the final version clarifies that the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will provide the list of participating restaurants to the Department of Health upon request, rather than requiring the Department of Health to provide the list of captains to the Department of Health.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding program management remains focused on the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program, but the financial burden on participants was removed.

FISCAL

Eliminated a proposed $20 application or permit fee for the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program, ensuring the program is free for participants.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries must provide the names and locations of participating retail food establishments to the Department of Health upon request, rather than the reverse.

TECHNICAL

Removed House committee amendments regarding the Office of Recreation and Tourism and Floor amendments regarding the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, settling on the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries working with the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.

HB497 Engrossed → HB497 Reengrossed · 2 edits · Jun 2, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to replace the Louisiana Office of Tourism with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board as a partner in managing the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program. This change shifts the program's oversight to an entity focused on seafood industry promotion rather than general tourism. The amendment also clarifies that retail food establishments can prepare fish caught by charter captains, recreational fishermen, or alligator hunters for their own parties.

Scope change

The scope of the program's administrative partnership changed from a tourism-focused agency to a seafood-specific marketing board, altering which state agency coordinates with the program.

SCOPE

Replaced the Louisiana Office of Tourism with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board as the partner agency for managing and promoting the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that retail food establishments are authorized to prepare fish legally taken by licensed charter captains, recreational fishermen, or alligator hunters for consumption by the capturer, fisherman, hunter, or their party.

FISHING: Provides for the Louisiana Catch and Cook Program (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

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