Bill
SB 349
Re-creates the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and its related entities on June 30, 2026, under a unified sunset schedule ending July 1, 2031.
Date: 2026 Regular Session
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Sponsor: Senator Cathey (co-sponsor: Stewart Cathey)
Purpose
- Re-create the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (the department) and the statutory entities that are part of it, effective June 30, 2026, under the state’s sunset framework.
- Change the treatment of the department and its related entities under the sunset system to avoid the prior staggered process of re-creating each entity individually.
Key Provisions
- Effective Re-Creation:
- The Department of Agriculture and Forestry and all statutory entities made part of the department by law shall be re-created effective June 30, 2026.
- This re-creation is done in accordance with the state’s sunset law (R.S. 49:193).
- Supersession of Sunset Requirements:
- The bill supersedes the existing sunset law provisions that would ordinarily require separate bills to re-create each departmental statutory entity.
- Termination Dates:
- The statutory authority for the department and its statutory entities, once recreated, shall terminate on July 1, 2031.
- The termination date structure under the bill begins with a phase-out starting July 1, 2030, unless the department is re-created again prior to that date (per R.S. 49:191(3)(b)).
- The department’s existence terminates on the stated date (July 1, 2031), aligning with the sunset framework.
- Repeal and Amendments:
- Repeals R.S. 49:191(1)(k) in its entirety.
- Adds new provision R.S. 49:191(3)(b) detailing the phased termination and effective date.
- Effective Date:
- The act becomes effective June 30, 2026.
- If vetoed by the governor but subsequently approved by the legislature, the act becomes effective on June 30, 2026 or the day after legislative approval, whichever is later.
Who/What Is Affected
- The Department of Agriculture and Forestry (re-created as of June 30, 2026).
- All statutory entities that are part of the department by law (as previously defined and made part of the department).
- The state’s statutory framework governing the existence and termination of departmental entities (R.S. 49:191 and related sunset provisions).
Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- Immediate effect: June 30, 2026, the department and its statutory entities are re-created.
- Sunset/Termination: Original sunset dates shifted; the new termination for the department and its statutory entities is July 1, 2031, with the option to re-create earlier if desired.
- Interim phase-out: Termination of authority begins July 1, 2030, unless re-creation occurs again before that date.
- Compliance alignment: Provisions supersede prior sunset requirements that would have required separate bills for each entity’s re-creation.
Notes
- The bill consolidates the re-creation process for the department and its statutory entities, streamlining what would otherwise be multiple re-creation actions.
- The measure emphasizes a clear, single sunset framework for the department’s continued existence, with defined dates for renewal or termination.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
