SB 244 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

HUNTERS/HUNTING: Provides for recreational hunting of alligators. (8/1/26)

SB 244 would establish a new recreational alligator hunting season in Louisiana, separate from existing commercial hunting. It requires hunters to obtain a special alligator hunting license and recreational harvest tags issued by the Louisiana Wildlife Commission, and prohibits hunting outside designated seasons, without proper licenses/tags, or using illegal methods. The bill allows the Commission to set specific seasons, harvest quotas, residency rules, and permitted hunting hours by geographic area. Violations would be classified as a class three violation, with penalties specified in the bill. This directly affects Louisiana residents and visitors seeking to hunt alligators recreationally under new rules.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed May 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB244 Original → SB244 Act 37 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill authorizes the Louisiana Wildlife Commission to create a special recreational alligator hunting season separate from the commercial season. It grants the commission broad authority to set specific rules, including residency requirements, hunting methods, and hours, while also allowing the commission to extend, curtail, or prohibit hunting in specific areas. The bill mandates that hunters must possess valid licenses and tags and prohibits taking alligators outside the designated season or by illegal methods, with violations classified as a class three offense.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of alligator hunting regulations by explicitly authorizing a recreational season and granting the commission new powers to manage hunting by area, set residency rules, and modify season length or prohibitions dynamically.

ELIGIBILITY

Added residency requirements and specific recreational methods and hours for taking alligators, which the commission can now prescribe.

REQUIREMENT

Established that recreational hunters must possess a valid basic hunting license, a valid alligator hunting license, and recreational harvest tags.

ENFORCEMENT

Defined prohibited acts, including taking alligators outside the special season, by unlicensed persons, or by illegal methods, and classified violations as a class three offense.

TIMELINE

Added a specific effective date provision stating the Act becomes effective upon the Governor's signature or, if vetoed, upon legislative approval.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2026 · House Apr 23, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 39

Mar 23, 2026

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican28

25 Yea 3

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.

upper

Apr 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 92, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (13-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Mar 11, 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 · 39 co-sponsors