Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana HB872: FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Requires all commercial menhaden reduction fishery vessels to use an AIS system
Status: Signed into law, May 29, 2026
What the bill says
An act To enact R.S. 56:8(160) and 325.5(Section heading) and (D), relative to commercial menhaden reduction fishery vessels; to require vessels to use automatic identification systems; to provide definitions; to direct the Louisiana State Law Institute to organize and renumber certain definitions; and to provide for related matters.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT To enact R.S. 56:8(160) and 325.5(Section heading) and (D), relative to commercial menhaden reduction fishery vessels; to require vessels to use automatic identification systems; to provide definitions; to direct the Louisiana State Law Institute to organize and renumber certain definitions; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 56:8(160) and 325.5(Section heading) and (D) are hereby enacted to read as follows: §8. Definitions For purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section, unless the context clearly shows a different meaning: * * * (160) "Automatic identification system" means a very high frequency (VHF) radio-based tracking system that allows vessels to automatically exchange data, such as position, speed, and heading, with other vessels, shore stations, and satellites. * * * §325.5. Commercial menhaden; harvest reporting; automatic identification system * * * Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 26RS-924 ORIGINAL HB NO. D. All vessels engaged in commercial menhaden reduction fishing shall have and utilize an automatic identification system (AIS). This requirement shall apply to both carrier vessels or steamers and purse boats. Section 2. The Louisiana State Law Institute is hereby authorized and directed to alphabetize and …
Sponsors
- Zeringue, Jerome (R, 52) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Effective date: 04/19/2027.
- : Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 443.
- : Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
- : Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
- : Signed by the President of the Senate.
- : Read by title, roll called, yeas 94, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
- : Scheduled for concurrence on 05/20/2026.
- : Received from the Senate with amendments.
- : Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
- : Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
Votes
- House Vote on HB 872, CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1436) (May 20, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Vote on HB 872, FINAL PASSAGE (#847) (May 13, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote on HB 872, FINAL PASSAGE (#496) (April 14, 2026): 98 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB872?
- HB872 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Requires all commercial menhaden reduction fishery vessels to use an AIS system.
- What does HB872 do?
- In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 56:8(160) and 325.5(Section heading) and (D), relative to commercial menhaden reduction fishery vessels; to require vessels to use automatic identification systems; to provide definitions; to direct the Louisiana State Law Institute to organize and renumber certain definitions; and to provide for related matters.
- What is the status of HB872?
- Signed into law as of May 29, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 04/19/2027. (May 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB872?
- Zeringue, Jerome (R, 52).
- Where is the official record for HB872?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB872
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.