Legislative briefs for May 15, 2008
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House rejects bill to renew shrimp fee
A vote to renew a fee for the shrimp industry was defeated by the state House of Representatives late Wednesday leading its sponsor to predict the demise of shrimping.
House Bill 1200 was defeated when 30 voted for the measure and 55 voted against.
State Rep. Ernest Wooton, R-Belle Chasse, scolded his fellow representatives for voting against the fee renewal because they feared crossing the Jindal administration.
“You may have just destroyed the shrimp industry in this state,” Wooton said.
House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, countered that the governor and his aides had said nothing about the bill. He said legislators likely were persuaded when state Rep. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, spoke in opposition.
Baldone said shrimpers in his district, which covers parts of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, were suffering from the high cost of fuel and couldn’t afford the fee.
After Wooton’s speech, two legislators rose to change their no votes to yes. A third called to resurrect the bill.
Only 75 members remained in the chamber by that time.
Two-thirds vote was needed to consider the legislation again. On a 59-16 vote, the House allowed HB1200 to be considered again in the future.
Lawmaker gives up on ‘speed trap’ bill
State Rep. Hollis Downs has given up on his bill to crack down on “speed traps” in small towns. The measure would limit the amount of annual revenue a town could generate with speeding tickets. Downs, R-Ruston, said he deferred action on the House Bill 1329 when he recognized he didn’t have support in the House’s municipal and parochial committee.
