WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides with respect to not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation organizations

HLS 26RS-1114 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 862
BY REPRESENTATIVE VENTRELLA
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides with respect to not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation
organizations
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 56:126(E), relative to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program; to
3 allow for wildlife in a not-for-profit rehabilitation program to be utilized for
4 promotional purposes; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 56:126(E) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 §126. Wildlife Rehabilitation Program; exemption
8 * * *
9 E.(1) It shall be unlawful for an individual exempted under the provisions
10 of this Section to use the wildlife in any manner for the purposes of exploitation,
11 including for any promotional or commercial purpose, or for the purposes of pet
12 trade. Any such act shall be grounds for seizure of the wildlife by the department
13 and revocation of any issued permit.
14 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions contained in this Subsection, any not-for-
15 profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of wildlife or other animals may
16 advertise or promote their organization, including through the use of photographs or
17 videos of the animals, through any medium, platform, or other mechanism to solicit
18 any public or private donations, gifts, or grants from individuals, corporations, or any
19 other entities.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1114 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 862
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 862 Original 2026 Regular Session Ventrella
Abstract: Allows for wildlife in the rehabilitation program to be utilized for promotional
purposes.
Present law prohibits the use of wildlife or animals in any wildlife rehabilitation program
for any promotional or commercial purpose.
Proposed law allows not-for-profit organizations dedicated to the rehabilitation of wildlife
or other animals to advertise or promote their organization, including through the use of
photographs or videos of the animals, through any medium or platform.
(Amends R.S. 56:126(E))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.