House Bill No. by Representative Bamburg amends R.S. 30:961(J) to establish a new assessment on surface water withdrawals from Lake Bistineau specifically for the treatment and control of aquatic weeds. The bill retains the existing requirement for the state to be reimbursed at fair market value for the use of running surface water from bodies of water managed by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, which is capped at fifteen cents per thousand gallons. However, it introduces a new provision that mandates an additional assessment on surface water withdrawn from Lake Bistineau, with the total annual costs for this assessment not to exceed one million dollars.

The funds collected from this assessment will be deposited into the Aquatic Plant Control Dedicated Fund Account and are designated solely for the treatment and control of aquatic weeds on Lake Bistineau. This legislative change aims to ensure that the management of invasive aquatic vegetation is adequately funded while maintaining the existing reimbursement structure for surface water withdrawals.

Statutes affected:
HB710 Original: 30:961(J)