Senate Bill No. by Senator Cathey aims to re-create the Department of Agriculture and Forestry along with its statutory entities, effective June 30, 2026. The bill enacts R.S. 49:191(3)(b), which establishes that the Department and its entities will begin to terminate operations on July 1, 2030, with all legislative authority ceasing by July 1, 2031. This re-creation is in accordance with the "sunset" law, which typically requires separate legislation for each statutory entity, but this bill supersedes that requirement, allowing for a more streamlined process.

Additionally, the bill repeals R.S. 49:191(1)(k), which previously set different termination dates for the Department and its entities. By consolidating the re-creation and termination provisions, the bill ensures that the Department of Agriculture and Forestry can continue its operations without interruption, provided that it is re-created before the new termination date. The effective date of the bill is set for June 30, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB349 Original: 49:191(1)