House Bill No. 762 establishes the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program and the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Fund, aimed at providing funding for outdoor conservation projects within the state. The bill amends existing statutes and introduces new provisions, including the creation of a project selection board and a technical advisory board to oversee the program. The project selection board will consist of various state officials and will be responsible for making final determinations on project funding, while the technical advisory board will evaluate applications based on defined criteria. The bill also outlines the eligibility for funding, which includes land conservation, water quality projects, and recreational properties, among others.

Additionally, the bill creates a special account within the Conservation Fund known as the "Louisiana Outdoors Forever Fund," which will be used exclusively for the program's purposes. It mandates that all appropriations and donations for the program be credited to this fund, ensuring transparency and adherence to public meeting laws. The program is set to terminate on July 1, 2033, unless extended by future legislation. The amendments to R.S. 56:1684(D)(1) and the enactment of R.S. 56:10(B)(17) and Part VI of Chapter 8 of Title 56 are key components of this legislation, facilitating the establishment and operation of the new program and fund.

Statutes affected:
HB762 Enrolled: 56:1684(D)(1)
HB762 Act : 56:1684(D)(1)