March 31, 2026 — A proposed constitutional amendment moving through the Louisiana Legislature could give the state’s governor significantly more influence over the body that sets fishing and hunting policy– but not everyone is on board.
As reported by the Louisiana Illuminator, the Louisiana Senate Committee on Natural Resources voted unanimously this week to advance a measure that would expand the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission from seven to nine voting members. The bill was authored by Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen.
The commission is a constitutionally protected body that has been setting wildlife and fisheries policy since 1952, with rulemaking authority granted in 1972. It controls budgets and regulations for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, including commercial and recreational fishing seasons and harvest limits.