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HCR 94

BOATS/SHIPS/VESSELS: Urges and requests the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to submit annual reports to certain legislative committees regarding boating safety

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tehmi Chassion and 1 co-sponsor

HCR 94 urges annual LDWF boating-safety reports to lawmakers, detailing incidents, fatalities, stops, citations, vessel registrations, and program spending before each Regular Sess

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
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Bill Summary · HCR 94

Legislative Bill Summary – Louisiana HCR 94 (2026 Regular Session)

Bill Overview

  • Title: HCR 94 – Boats/Ships/Vessels: Urges and requests the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to submit annual reports to certain legislative committees regarding boating safety
  • Type: House Concurrent Resolution
  • Sponsor: Rep. Fontenot (co-sponsor: Bryan Fontenot)
  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Status: Read by title and lies over under the rules (as of the latest action)

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution urges and requests the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to provide annual reports on boating safety to two legislative committees:
    • House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment
    • Senate Committee on Natural Resources
  • Reports are to be provided at least 30 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of the Legislature.

Key Provisions

  • Annual reporting requirement to:
    1. House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment
    2. Senate Committee on Natural Resources
  • Required content of each annual report (at minimum):
    • (1) The number of boating incidents
    • (2) The number of boating fatalities
    • (3) The number of boating safety-related stops
    • (4) The number of citations issued at stops
    • (5) The number of vessels registered in the state
    • (6) State expenditures on the boating safety program
  • Timing: Reports must be submitted at least 30 days before the convening of the next Regular Session.
  • The resolution directs transmission of a copy to the secretary of LDWF.

Context and Rationale (as described in the bill)

  • LDWF’s Law Enforcement Division aims to reduce loss of life, injury, and property damage in recreational boating.
  • Louisiana emphasizes education and compliance with boating safety regulations to prevent incidents.
  • The bill acknowledges ongoing boating incidents and fatalities and references:
    • The LDWF’s funding from the U.S. Coast Guard for the state’s recreational boating safety program (~$2.3 million annually).
    • Historical context of suspicionless boating safety stops and evolving standards due to related 2026 legislation (HB 756 and SB 243) establishing a Fourth Amendment-styled reasonable-suspicion standard for boating safety stops.
  • The Legislature seeks to monitor whether new boating safety stop standards affect safety outcomes, by requiring regular, transparent reporting.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary agency affected: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Law Enforcement Division
  • Legislative impact: Provides Congress with regular, data-driven insight into boating safety outcomes and program funding
  • Public/Stakeholders: Sailors, boaters, anglers, waterway users, and the general public interested in boating safety and regulatory compliance
  • Budgetary considerations: Reports include state expenditures on the boating safety program, offering lawmakers visibility into funding trends and utilization

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Trigger: Annual reporting obligation beginning after adoption (as required by the resolution).
  • Compliance timeline: Reports due at least 30 days before the convening of the next Regular Session.
  • Delivery: A copy of the resolution is transmitted to the LDWF secretary to facilitate compliance.

Bottom Line

HCR 94 is a non-binding measure that seeks to improve legislative oversight of boating safety in Louisiana. It mandates LDWF to produce annual, pre-session reports containing incident data, enforcement activity, vessel registration, and program spending, enhancing transparency and informing policy discussions related to boating safety and related enforcement practices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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