Senate Bill No. 176, introduced by Senator Allain, amends R.S. 3:17(F) concerning prescribed burning in Louisiana. The bill clarifies the process for handling complaints about prescribed burns, stating that individuals must direct their complaints to the commissioner, who is responsible for investigating these complaints. The amendment modifies the language regarding the commissioner's authority, changing "have the authority to" to "may," which indicates a slight shift in the phrasing of the commissioner's power to act on violations.

The proposed law retains the existing framework that allows the commissioner to suspend or revoke authorization for prescribed burns if violations of the requirements or regulations are found. This change is set to take effect on August 1, 2026, ensuring that the process for addressing complaints and enforcing compliance with prescribed burn regulations is clearly defined and understood.

Statutes affected:
SB176 Original: 3:17(F)