Louisiana HB1258: WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides with respect to seizure of sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife

What the bill says

An act To enact R.S. 56:126.1, relative to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; to provide for the disposition of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife species seized as a result of unlawful possession; to establish a preference for release, rehabilitation, and placement with licensed facilities; to provide for euthanasia only when no feasible alternatives exist and under specified circumstances; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To enact R.S. 56:126.1, relative to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; to provide for the disposition of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife species seized as a result of unlawful possession; to establish a preference for release, rehabilitation, and placement with licensed facilities; to provide for euthanasia only when no feasible alternatives exist and under specified circumstances; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 56:126.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows: §126.1. Disposition of wildlife seized for unlawful possession; euthanasia A. This Section shall be applicable to any wildlife held in violation of R.S. 56:126 that is seized by the department for unlawful possession. For purposes of this Section, wildlife seized by the department shall be referred to as "contraband wildlife". B. Contraband wildlife shall be evaluated by department field staff or by a veterinarian to determine the appropriate disposition. C. The department shall dispose of contraband wildlife in accordance with the following order of preference: Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 26RS-5040 ORIGINAL HB NO. 1258 (1) If the contraband wildlife is clinically healthy, past the age of independence, and release of the species into the wild is not prohibited by law or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Geymann, Brett (R, 35) · primary sponsor
• Ventrella, Lauren (R, 65)

Latest actions

1. June 1, 2026: Effective date: 08/01/2026.
2. June 1, 2026: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 730.
3. May 29, 2026: Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
4. May 28, 2026: Signed by the President of the Senate.
5. May 28, 2026: Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
6. May 28, 2026: Received from the Senate without amendments.
7. May 27, 2026: Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
8. May 26, 2026: Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
9. May 25, 2026: Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
10. May 21, 2026: Rules suspended. Reported favorably.

Votes

• Senate Vote on HB 1258, FINAL PASSAGE (#1465) (May 27, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Vote on HB 1258, FINAL PASSAGE (#1158) (May 12, 2026): 95 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1258?

HB1258 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides with respect to seizure of sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife.

What does HB1258 do?

In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 56:126.1, relative to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; to provide for the disposition of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife species seized as a result of unlawful possession; to establish a preference for release, rehabilitation, and placement with licensed facilities; to provide for euthanasia only when no feasible alternatives exist and under specified circumstances; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of HB1258?

Signed into law as of June 1, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 08/01/2026. (June 1, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1258?

Geymann, Brett (R, 35), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for HB1258?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB1258