WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1177

PUBLIC RECORDS: Establishes a public records exemption for personal information related to hunting and fishing licenses

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jerome Zeringue

The bill creates a Public Records exemption protecting personally identifying information collected by LDWF when issuing hunting and fishing licenses.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1177

HB 1177 (2026) — Louisiana Public Records: Exemption for Private Information Related to Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a specific exemption from public records disclosure for private information collected by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) in the process of issuing hunting and fishing licenses.
  • The bill aims to protect personally identifying information (PII) of applicants for hunting and fishing licenses from public release.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new exemption to the Louisiana Public Records Law: R.S. 44:4(65).
  • Scope: Applies to private information collected by LDWF for the issuance of hunting and fishing licenses.
  • Nature of exemption: Protects personally identifying information of individuals applying for hunting/fishing licenses from public records requests.

Who is Affected

  • Primary: Applicants and licensees for hunting and fishing licenses issued by LDWF.
  • Secondary: LDWF as the custodian of the records and public records requesters seeking access to license-related information.
  • The exemption targets PII (e.g., names, addresses, contact information, or other personal identifiers) collected during license issuance.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill adds the exemption to the public records framework, effective upon enactment as part of the Public Records Law.
  • Legislative history indicates standard process: bill introduced, favorably reported, and passed through readings before becoming law.
  • No explicit sunset provision or review timeline is indicated in the text provided.

Practical Implications

  • Public records requests seeking LDWF license records cannot compel the disclosure of an individual’s private information collected during the license issuance process.
  • Does not necessarily exempt all LDWF data; it targets personal information tied to hunting/fishing license applications and issuances.
  • Balances transparency of government records with privacy protections for individuals engaging in hunting or fishing activities.

Notes

  • The bill is explicitly titled to establish a public records exemption and is limited in scope to LDWF license issuance data.
  • It adds a new subsection to R.S. 44:4(65) and is intended to align with existing public records exemptions in Louisiana law.
  • Sponsor: Rep. Jerome Zeringue; identified as a co-sponsor.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing LDWF public records exemptions or outline potential considerations for agencies and public records requesters.

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

Sign in to ask a question.