HB 872 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Requires all commercial menhaden reduction fishery vessels to use an AIS system

HB 872 requires all commercial vessels engaged in menhaden reduction fishing (including carrier vessels, steamers, and purse boats) to install and use an automatic identification system (AIS). The AIS is a tracking system that automatically shares a vessel's location, speed, and heading with other ships, shore stations, and satellites. This bill directly affects commercial fishing operations harvesting menhaden for processing into products like fish meal or oil. The law mandates this technology to improve vessel tracking and safety in Louisiana waters, with no exemptions specified for the covered vessel types.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 27, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB872 Original → HB872 Act 443 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill enacts a requirement for all commercial menhaden reduction fishing vessels in Louisiana to use Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). The law defines AIS as a VHF radio-based tracking system and mandates that both mother ships and purse boats must have a functioning AIS while actively fishing. It also establishes that no vessel can fish without a working AIS for more than two consecutive business days, even if part of a cooperative group.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by explicitly including 'carrier vessels or steamers' (mother ships) alongside purse boats in the requirement to use AIS, ensuring the entire fishing fleet is tracked.

REQUIREMENT

Mandates that all commercial menhaden reduction fishing vessels, including mother ships and purse boats, must install and utilize an Automatic Identification System (AIS).

DEFINITION

Defines 'Automatic identification system' as a VHF radio-based tracking system that exchanges position, speed, and heading data with other vessels and shore stations.

ENFORCEMENT

Prohibits any vessel required to use AIS from fishing without a functioning system for more than two consecutive business days.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the statutory text to alphabetize definitions in R.S. 56:8 and renumbered specific sections for consistency.

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date of the new requirements to April 19, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate May 13, 2026 · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

38–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

May 13, 2026

D Democratic12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called, yeas 94, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

lower

May 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

May 4, 2026

Committee

Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (11-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors