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2026 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 23
BY SENATOR CATHEY AND REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To create and provide for the Agricultural-Based National Security Priorities Task Force.
WHEREAS, Louisiana's diverse agriculture industry, encompassing crops, timber,
livestock, and fisheries, is a major contributor to the state's economy; and
WHEREAS, agricultural production, food processing, manufacturing, and farm labor
systems together form a critical supply chain necessary to sustain food production; and
WHEREAS, global disruptions, geopolitical competition, and technological
vulnerabilities have exposed weaknesses in agricultural supply chains that could threaten
food production and farm operations; and
WHEREAS, protecting agricultural land, supporting farmers, and ensuring the
stability of food production starts by strengthening domestic agricultural supply chains and
farm security; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana should take a proactive role in identifying and addressing
vulnerabilities affecting agricultural supply chains in order to maintain reliable food
production and protecting rural economies.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
establish and provide for the Agricultural-Based National Security Priorities Task Force to
study farm security, domestic supply chain resilience, and ways to support farmers and food
production in the state, and to propose recommendations, together with specific proposals
for legislation, by written report to the legislature and to the David R. Poynter Legislative
Research Library as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than March 21, 2027.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force should consider and make policy
recommendations on the following:
(1) Enforcement of state laws limiting purchase of agricultural land by Chinese-
owned entities.
(2) Vulnerabilities related to the use of Chinese-made drones and artificial
intelligence technology.
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SCR NO. 23 ENROLLED
(3) Recommendations to secure legal immigration-based farm labor.
(4) Incentives for state-based investments in new fertilizer production and other
incentives needed to strengthen domestic supply chain for agricultural inputs.
(5) Identifying vulnerabilities in food production.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of the following
members:
(1) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture,
and Rural Development, or his designee.
(2) The chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and
Rural Development, or his designee.
(3) A representative appointed by the president of the Senate, representing the
aquaculture industry.
(4) A representative appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
representing the cattle industry.
(5) The commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or
his designee.
(6) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or his
designee.
(7) The president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, or his designee.
(8) The president of the Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association, or his designee.
(9) The president of the American Sugar Cane League, or his designee.
(10) The president of the Louisiana Logger's Association, or his designee.
(11) The chairman of the Louisiana Poultry Federation, or his designee.
(12) The chairman of the Louisiana Chemistry Association, or his designee.
(13) The senior vice chancellor of the Louisiana State University AgCenter, or his
designee.
(14) The chancellor of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension
Center, or his designee.
(15) The director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness (GOHSEP), or his designee.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each designating authority shall submit the
names of designees to the task force to the chairman of the Senate Committee on
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development no later than August 1, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the task force shall convene for its first meeting no
later than October 21, 2026, at the call of the chairman of the Senate Committee on
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development, and at the first meeting, the
members shall elect a chairman and other officers as the task force may deem appropriate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the task force shall require the
affirmative vote of a majority of the members.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on the date of the
submission of its report or March 21, 2027, whichever occurs first.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the secretary of the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau
Federation, the president of the Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association, the president of the
American Sugar Cane League, the president of the Louisiana Logger's Association, the
chairman of the Louisiana Poultry Federation, the chairman of the Louisiana Chemistry
Association, the senior vice chancellor of the Louisiana State University AgCenter, the
chancellor of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, and the
director of GOHSEP.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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