The bill amends and reenacts several sections of Louisiana law related to seafood safety, specifically focusing on the Imported Seafood Safety Fund and the requirements for commercial seafood permits. It establishes the Imported Seafood Safety Fund under the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, which will now be responsible for enforcing seafood safety regulations. The bill also clarifies that all seafood processors and distributors must obtain a commercial seafood permit from the Louisiana Department of Health, with fees based on gross revenues. Additionally, it introduces a new imported seafood safety fee and outlines the classification of permits into domestic and imported categories.

Furthermore, the bill sets forth specific testing and reporting requirements for seafood processors and distributors, including penalties for violations. It allows the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to test seafood for compliance with federal standards and imposes fines for mislabeling or distributing non-domestic seafood as domestic. The bill also mandates collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for seafood testing and establishes definitions for key terms related to seafood processing and distribution. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance seafood safety and regulatory oversight in Louisiana.

Statutes affected:
SB62 Original:
SB62 Engrossed: 40:35(A), 40:35(B)
SB62 Reengrossed: 40:35(A), 40:35(C)
SB62 Enrolled: 40:35(A), 40:35(C)
SB62 Act 667: 40:35(A), 40:35(C)