FISH/FISHING: Provides for anchorage in certain waterways with fishing gear restriction. (8/1/26)
This bill establishes a new rule allowing boats to anchor in specific waterways provided certain conditions are met. The key provision permits anchoring only if the boat stays outside of oyster lease boundaries and at least one person remains on board while anchored. This change directly affects recreational boaters and fishing enthusiasts by clarifying where they may legally secure their vessels. The legislation does not alter existing fishing gear restrictions but adds an exception to general anchoring prohibitions in designated areas.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Mar 31, 2026
Signed Jun 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB480 Original
→
SB480 Act 903
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill enacts a new provision allowing boats to anchor in Oyster Bayou, whereas the original draft only permitted using fishing nets while the boat was moving. The change expands the scope of the law to include stationary anchoring, provided the boat is not inside an oyster lease.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded from allowing fishing only while underway to also permitting anchorage in the specified water body.
ELIGIBILITY
Added eligibility for boats to anchor in Oyster Bayou waters, provided they are not within oyster lease boundaries.
REQUIREMENT
Modified the primary activity requirement from 'vessel underway' to include both underway fishing and stationary anchoring.
Removed the prohibition on using anchors or weights to secure nets, as the new text explicitly allows anchoring.
Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2026 · House May 29, 2026
How they voted
33–0
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 40
May 20, 2026
D
Democratic12
91% Yea
R
Republican28
78% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 27, 2026
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (13-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 25, 2026
Committee
Read by title, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
lower
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 32 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Robert Allain
RRepublican
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