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HB 858

WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Establishes a public records exemption for Global Positioning System data collected on wildlife and aquatic life

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Neil Riser

HB 858 creates a public records exemption for GPS data on wildlife and aquatic life to protect sensitive locations from public disclosure.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 858

Bill Summary: HB 858 (Louisiana, 2026) – Wildlife & Fisheries Public Records Exemption for GPS Data

Overview

  • Subject: Public records exemption for Global Positioning System (GPS) data collected on wildlife and aquatic life.
  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Session: 2026
  • Committee/Sponsor: Co-sponsor — Neil Riser
  • Status/History:
    • Reported favorably by committee (April 28, 2026; 12-0 vote)
    • Received in the Senate and placed on calendar after Rules suspension (March 30, 2026)
    • Previously reported favorably (March 24, 2026; 12-0)
    • First appeared in interim calendar and prefiled (February 2026)

1) Purpose and Intent

HB 858 seeks to establish a public records exemption for GPS data collected on wildlife and aquatic life. The primary aim is to protect sensitive location information that could endanger wildlife, habitat, or conservation activities, as well as avoid potential misuse or disruption of ongoing research, monitoring programs, or wildlife management efforts.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Creation of a Public Records Exemption: GPS data related to wildlife and aquatic life would be exempt from public disclosure under Louisiana's public records laws.
  • Scope of Data: Applies to GPS-derived data for animals (wildlife) and aquatic life tracked for research, conservation, management, or regulation purposes.
  • Access and Disclosure: The exemption would limit public access to the GPS location data. Details on who may access the data or under what conditions (e.g., for law enforcement, researchers, or certain agencies) are typically specified in the bill or related statutes, though exact language is not provided in the summary.
  • Preservation of Related Records: Related datasets or metadata that do not reveal precise locations may or may not be exempt, depending on the bill’s language. The bill focuses on GPS data specifically.
  • Exemption Status: The data would be protected from mandatory public release, subject to any enumerated exceptions or court orders as defined in the bill.

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

  • State Agencies and Programs: Agencies involved in wildlife management, conservation biology, fisheries, and environmental monitoring that collect GPS tracking data.
  • Researchers and Academic Institutions: Entities conducting wildlife studies using GPS telemetry could rely on exemptions to protect study subjects and methods.
  • Wildlife Management Partners: Nonprofit organizations, consultants, or contractors engaged in tracking programs under public funding or state authorization.
  • Public and Media: General public would have restricted access to precise GPS tracking data, reducing potential disruption or poaching risk.
  • Law Enforcement and Regulatory Bodies: Potentially allowed access under specified conditions for enforcement or safety purposes, per bill terms.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legal Effect: Once enacted, the GPS data on wildlife and aquatic life would be shielded from public disclosure under Louisiana public records laws, pending any specified exceptions.
  • Effective Date: The bill’s effective date is not provided in the summary; typically, Louisiana public records exemptions include an effective date upon adoption or a future date stated in the bill.
  • Legislative Path (current trajectory):
    • Passed committee with a favorable vote (April 28, 2026)
    • Under consideration for floor debate in the Senate (as of March 30–April 2026)
    • Continued favorable movement through the legislative process

5) Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Conservation and Research Benefits: Improves protection of sensitive wildlife data, supporting conservation efforts and reducing risk to study subjects.
  • Transparency vs. Protection: Balances public transparency with the need to protect wildlife from harm or manipulation.
  • Implementation Details: Success depends on precise definitions of “GPS data,” applicable exemptions, and any carve-outs (e.g., for authorized researchers, law enforcement, or emergency scenarios).

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to specific stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, researchers, or advocacy groups) or compare it to related Louisiana public records exemptions.

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

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