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Oyster task-force bills advance amid dispute over reserved seats and task-force vetting
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Summary
Two oyster task-force bills were considered: HB 652 (adds a nonvoting member nominated by the Dept. of Agriculture) was reported favorably; HB 653 (reserves one of two United Commercial Fishermen Association seats for a Saint Bernard resident) drew opposition from task-force members and resulted in a recorded committee vote (3-2).
The committee considered two related bills affecting Oyster Task Force membership.
House Bill 652 (Rep. Braud) would add a nonvoting member to the task force nominated by the Department of Agriculture; the sponsor said the task force requested the change and the committee reported the bill favorably without objection.
House Bill 653 (Rep. Baham) would designate one of two United Commercial Fishermen’s Association seats to be held by a Saint Bernard resident. Brad Robin, who identified himself as a member and acting representative for Saint Bernard on the oyster task force, opposed HB 653, saying the language had not been vetted by the task force and that statutory residency requirements could hinder appointments in an industry with few volunteers. Other speakers, including task-force and industry representatives, said oyster issues are regional and noted the current makeup already includes many parishes.
Senator Lambert objected to reporting HB 653 favorably and the committee temporarily lost quorum; after returning the committee conducted a roll-call vote with recorded positions. The committee recorded three ayes and two nays, moving the bill forward per the committee’s voting rules. Opponents urged sending such statutory membership changes back to the task force for vetting before legislative action.
Committee members asked for follow-up staff work and said they would attempt to resolve statutory language between committee and author before floor consideration.
