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Panel reports SB 349 to recreate Department of Agriculture and Forestry after sunset review; commissioner gives overview
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Summary
Senate Bill 349, a statutory sunset re‑creation of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, was reported favorably after Commissioner Mike Strain summarized agency functions, program areas, budget and emergency responsibilities. The committee also reported SB 350 to adjust soybean board membership.
Senate Bill 349 (Sen. Caffey) would reauthorize the Department of Agriculture and Forestry as required by statute; Commissioner Mike Strain urged favorable passage and provided a condensed overview of departmental responsibilities, statutory boards, and program areas including seed certification, the ag‑chemistry lab, horticulture and quarantine, animal health, weights and measures, forestry protection, and emergency fuel distribution.
Strain emphasized that agencies subject to sunset review must be reenacted every five years and said failure to do so would disrupt department operations. He described department programs that administer federal funds, seed testing, pesticide oversight, agritourism support and the certified Louisiana program. On budgetary matters, he noted an annual direct budget in the mid‑$90 million range and federal pass‑throughs that can vary widely.
The committee also read SB 350, a technical clean‑up changing the name/representation for the soybean research board; both bills were reported favorably with no objections. Committee members questioned gasoline tax display, emergency pricing and wildfire response; Strain and industry witnesses explained rack pricing, supply chain behavior and monitoring for price gouging in declared disasters.
The committee concluded its agenda and adjourned after the presentation and Q&A.
