House Bill No. [insert number] aims to establish a preference for Louisiana seafood in state purchasing practices. The bill enacts R.S. 39:1604.8, which mandates that purchasing agents for state agencies, boards, commissions, departments, and local government units prioritize seafood that is taken, harvested, or landed in Louisiana. This preference is contingent upon the condition that the cost of Louisiana seafood does not exceed the cost of out-of-state seafood by more than ten percent.

Additionally, the bill includes an exception to this requirement, allowing purchasing agents to procure seafood from outside the state if sufficient quantities of Louisiana seafood are not available. This legislation is designed to support local seafood industries while ensuring that cost considerations are also taken into account.