On June 1, the 2026 Louisiana legislative session officially adjourned sine die. “Sine die” is a Latin term meaning “without day,” signaling the final, official conclusion of the legislative year. Thanks to your advocacy, major victories for sportsmen were accomplished.
The following bills completed the legislative process and were signed by Governor Jeff Landry:
- HB 631 establishes a nonresident landowner bear hunting license. Effective August 1, 2026.
- HB 688 adds Atlantic tarpon to the definition of saltwater game fish. Sent to the Governor.
- HB 757 implements massive fines up to $250,000 for illegal fishing. This prevents commercial violations from being treated simply as a “cost of doing business.” Effective August 1, 2026. Effective August 1, 2026.
- HB 767 authorizes recreational alligator hunting licenses and lottery fees. Effective 5/5/26.
- HB 872 requires GPS tracking (AIS) on every commercial boat. This prevents vessels from sneaking into protected shallow-water “buffer zones” without getting caught. Effective immediately.
- HB 886 forces the commercial industry to stop hiding its harvest data from the public and our researchers. Effective August 1, 2026.
- HB 1177 protects your sensitive information, including name, address, and phone number collected for hunting and fishing licenses, from being accessed through public records requests. Effective August 1, 2026.
- SB 111 provides critical updates for black bass and crappie bag and size limits to protect our freshwater fisheries. Effective August 1, 2026.
- SB 203 provides for the possession of catch during a multiday trip. Effective August 1, 2026.
- SB 244 provides for the recreational hunting of alligators. Effective May 5, 2026.
- SB 419 provides for the use of pre-charged pneumatic devices to take deer during the primitive firearm season. Effective August 1, 2026.
Review a complete list of monitored bills via the Interactive Legislative Map.
The Fight Never Stops: Stay Vigilant!
Even though the legislative session has wrapped up for the year, our work to safeguard Louisiana’s rich outdoor traditions is far from over. Anti-hunting organizations never take a break. They are always seeking ways to bypass the legislature or use administrative rule changes that threaten our traditions and way of life.
We’ve seen it in states across the country: the moment we look away, they strike. We need you to stay vigilant, keep your boots on the ground, and be ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice.
Defending Louisiana’s Sportsmen Heritage
Share this message with your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen, and urge them to join you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance in protecting and defending our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage in the Sportsmen’s Paradise.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance guarantees hunting, fishing, and trapping for the American sportsman now and forever. We’re there when sportsmen need us most. We are the only organization specifically created to protect the individual hunter, angler, and trapper – no matter the threat. We will never compromise when it comes to defending our way of life in the courts, in the legislatures, in the public square, and at the ballot box. We make this promise to the American sportsman: we will never give up and never give in while proudly securing our future against those seeking to destroy our values, beliefs, and traditions.
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