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HB 757 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Provides relative to the taking of menhaden

HB 757 prohibits commercial fishing for menhaden (a small fish used in fish oil and feed) within Louisiana waters designated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. It directly affects commercial fishers, vessels, and businesses involved in menhaden harvesting. The bill establishes strict liability (meaning violators are responsible without proof of intent) and imposes escalating penalties: $50,000 for a first offense, license revocation for up to 365 days for repeated violations, and permanent license loss after a fourth violation. These penalties apply to individuals or businesses operating commercial fishing vessels in prohibited zones.
Issues: ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits commercial menhaden fishing in designated waters to protect the species and marine ecosystem, a direct conservation measure under environmental protection.90% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026 Signed May 22, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB757 Original → HB757 Act 316 · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill significantly reduces the penalties for violating menhaden fishing regulations. The fine amounts were lowered from tens of thousands to just a few thousand dollars, and the license revocation periods were shortened from months to a maximum of 30 days. Additionally, the definition of 'person' was narrowed to apply only to natural persons, removing liability for business entities like corporations.
Scope change
The scope of liability was narrowed by restricting the definition of 'person' to natural persons only, excluding business entities from prosecution under this specific section.
ENFORCEMENT

First violation fine reduced from $50,000 to $2,500.

Second violation fine reduced from $75,000 to $5,000.

Third violation fine reduced from $100,000 to $7,500.

Removed penalties for fourth or subsequent violations entirely.

Reduced license revocation periods from up to 365 days or permanent revocation to a maximum of 30 days.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'person' from including all business entities to applying only to natural persons.

Floor votes · Senate May 13, 2026 · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

37–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 40
May 13, 2026
D Democratic12
10 Yea 2
83% Yea
R Republican28
27 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
4
Committee
5
May 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 4, 2026
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 99, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (14-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Vincent Cox
Vincent Cox
RRepublican
LA
85