HUNTING/DEER: Suspends rules relative to chronic wasting disease (EG SEE FISC NOTE SD EX)

HLS 26RS-813 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4
BY REPRESENTATIVES MCCORMICK AND OWEN
HUNTING/DEER: Suspends rules relative to chronic wasting disease
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To suspend for eighteen months the provisions of LAC 76:V.137(B), which provides rules
3 and regulations for supplemental feeding and bating in chronic wasting disease
4 control areas, and to direct the office of the state register to publish a summary of
5 this Resolution in the Louisiana Register.
6 WHEREAS, chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious, neurodegenerative
7 disease that is fatal to deer, with no known treatment; and
8 WHEREAS, in response to the detection of CWD in certain parishes in the state, the
9 Department of Wildlife and Fisheries adopted rules to establish a CWD Control Area; and
10 WHEREAS, within the CWD Control Area, hunters are subject to mitigation
11 measures intended to curb the spread of CWD; and
12 WHEREAS, the CWD Control Area is composed of an Enhanced Mitigation Zone
13 and a Buffer Zone; and
14 WHEREAS, within the Enhanced Mitigation Zone, supplemental feeding, baiting,
15 placement of bait, or hunting over bait is prohibited; and
16 WHEREAS, within the Buffer Zone, supplemental feeding and baiting is only
17 allowed by non-stationary, mechanical, or electronic broadcast methods; and
18 WHEREAS, these supplemental feeding and baiting restrictions conflict with
19 traditional hunting practices and can reduce hunter participation; and
20 WHEREAS, these restrictions also hurt local farmers and retail establishments; and
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HLS 26RS-813 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 4
1 WHEREAS, baiting restrictions in particular also greatly hinder efforts to trap wild
2 hogs; and
3 WHEREAS, CWD prions persist in the environment for years and efforts to reduce
4 them are seemingly futile as there is a lack of clear success stories in eradicating CWD after
5 it has become established; and
6 WHEREAS, there is no direct evidence that CWD has infected humans; and
7 WHEREAS, considering the cultural and economic impacts that supplemental
8 feeding and baiting restrictions have on hunting, land management, and local businesses and
9 the lack of a proven solution, continued study and stakeholder engagement is warranted.
10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby suspends
11 the provisions of LAC 76:V.137(B).
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this suspension shall become effective upon the
13 adoption of this Resolution and shall extend for a period of eighteen months.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
15 office of the state register.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the office of the state register is hereby directed
17 to publish a summary of this Resolution in the Louisiana Register.
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)]
HCR 4 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session McCormick
Suspends administrative rules restricting supplemental feeding and baiting within CWD
Control Areas.
(Suspends LAC 76:V.137(B))
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