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LouisianaHB 12582026 Regular SessionHouse

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

Sponsored By: Brett F. Geymann (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Natural Resources

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New care rules for seized wildlife

Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries must follow a care order for wildlife it seizes for unlawful possession. Department field staff or a veterinarian must first evaluate each animal. First, healthy animals old enough to live independently must be released into suitable wild habitat when legally allowed. Second, animals that need and can benefit from rehabilitation must go to a willing, department-permitted rehabilitator authorized to keep that species. They stay until release or until the department and rehabilitator agree that further rehabilitation is not feasible. Third, the department must make reasonable efforts to find an authorized zoo, aquarium, sanctuary, educational institution, or similar facility. This option covers animals that cannot be released for medical reasons, are accustomed to captivity, or cannot safely undergo rehabilitation because of public-health risks or temperament. Euthanasia is a last resort, allowed only when at least one listed reason applies: preferred options are unavailable or unworkable; the animal shows signs of disease; it has a life-threatening injury; release or rehabilitation is legally barred and no willing, authorized, appropriate facility can accept it; or a state wildlife or department veterinarian decides euthanasia is best for the animal. Euthanasia must follow the latest American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines. Rehabilitators must notify the department before euthanizing wildlife placed in their care under these rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brett F. Geymann

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Lauren Ventrella

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/27/2026

Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 95 • No: 0

House vote • 5/7/2026

Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 662 reported by the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 730.

    6/1/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    6/1/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/29/2026House

  4. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    5/28/2026House

  5. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/28/2026House

  6. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/28/2026Senate

  7. Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/27/2026Senate

  8. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    5/26/2026Senate

  9. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/25/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Reported favorably.

    5/21/2026Senate

  11. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

    5/13/2026Senate

  12. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    5/12/2026House

  13. Called from the calendar.

    5/12/2026House

  14. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    5/12/2026House

  15. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    5/12/2026Senate

  16. Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/11/2026House

  17. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/12/2026.

    5/11/2026House

  18. Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 662 reported by the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment (12-0).

    5/7/2026House

Bill Text

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