SB 204 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

FISH/FISHING: Provides for issuance of certain commercial fishing gear licenses. (8/1/26)

SB 204 repeals a provision that previously prohibited nonresidents from obtaining certain commercial fishing gear licenses in Louisiana. This change would allow nonresident commercial fishermen to apply for and receive these licenses, removing a prior barrier. The bill amends Louisiana Revised Statute 56:305 to update its heading and remove the prohibition, while also addressing related licensing matters. The policy change directly affects nonresident commercial fishermen seeking to operate in Louisiana waters.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed May 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB204 Original → SB204 Act 362 · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill transforms SB 204 from a draft proposal into an enacted law (Act No. 362). The primary substantive change is the removal of a prohibition that previously prevented the state from issuing commercial fishing gear licenses to nonresidents. This change allows the state to now issue these licenses to out-of-state fishermen, potentially increasing participation and revenue, while the bill's effective date remains August 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a restricted policy prohibiting nonresident gear licenses to an open policy allowing their issuance.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the legal prohibition on issuing commercial fishing gear licenses to nonresidents.

TECHNICAL

Updated document headers to reflect the bill's status as an enrolled Act No. 362 rather than an original draft.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House May 13, 2026

How they voted

34–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 40

Mar 25, 2026

D Democratic12

8 Yea 4

66% Yea

R Republican28

26 Yea 2

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 7, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (12-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors