House Bill No. 665, introduced by Representative Mack, aims to prohibit the use of hoop nets and seines in North Pass and Manchac Pass from Interstate 55 to Lake Pontchartrain during the period from May 1st to August 31st. This new regulation is established under the newly enacted R.S. 56:322.3, which specifically outlines the prohibition and its geographical scope. Additionally, the bill includes a provision for the repeal of the existing R.S. 56:322.3, indicating a restructuring of the legal framework surrounding fishing regulations in these areas.

The bill is set to take effect in two phases: the prohibition on hoop nets and seines will become effective on August 1, 2026, while the repeal of the previous law will take effect two years later, on August 1, 2028. The amendments adopted by the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment further refine the bill by limiting the prohibition to the specified months each year and introducing a two-year sunset clause on the prohibition, allowing for a review of its impact after the initial implementation period.

Statutes affected:
HB665 Engrossed: