AIRCRAFT/AVIATION: Requires aerial applicators to carry radios and transponders while using a publicly owned airport or landing field
HB 715 requires licensed aerial applicators (those applying seeds, fertilizers, or pesticides) to carry federally compliant transponders (like ADS-B Out systems) and operable two-way radios when using publicly owned airports or participating in airport priority programs, specifically during takeoff and landing. This applies to all aerial applicators operating at public airports within Louisiana, with the equipment mandated for public safety and coordination of airport traffic. The bill also prohibits political subdivisions from discriminating against licensed aerial applicators using public airports and directs the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to inspect for chemical residue concerns. It does not alter existing airport safety rules but adds these communication and tracking requirements for aerial operations.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026
Signed Jun 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB715 Original
→
HB715 Act 825
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was enrolled into law as Act 825, formalizing the requirements for aerial applicators using public airports. The primary change is the addition of the Department of Transportation and Development as an authorized entity to promulgate safety regulations, alongside airport owners. It also clarifies the enforcement process by specifying that the Department of Agriculture and Forestry must send a representative to inspect the site if an airport objects to an applicator's use of its facilities.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on aerial applicators using publicly owned airports or priority programs, but the regulatory authority for safety rules was expanded to include the Department of Transportation and Development.
REQUIREMENT
Added the Department of Transportation and Development as an entity authorized to create safety and environmental regulations for aerial applicators.
ENFORCEMENT
Clarified the objection process by requiring the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to send a representative to inspect the site before, during, and after application if an airport authority objects to an applicator.
DEFINITION
Updated the department name from 'Department of Agriculture' to 'Department of Agriculture and Forestry' for consistency.
TECHNICAL
Removed the 'DIGEST' section, which is a non-binding legislative summary, and replaced it with the official 'ENROLLED' status and Governor's approval.
Floor votes · Senate May 21, 2026 · House Apr 15, 2026
How they voted
36–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 40
May 21, 2026
D
Democratic12
83% Yea
R
Republican28
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
28
Key actions
6
Committee
7
May 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read by title, roll called, yeas 99, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
lower
May 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 12, 2026
Committee
Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
May 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Committee
Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Recalled from Committee.
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (13-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Daryl Deshotel
RRepublican
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