SCR 29 — WATER QUALITY: Creates a joint legislative committee to study and make recommendations relative to the water quality of the Atchafalaya Basin.

SLS 26RS-268 ENGROSSED Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.

29 BY SENATOR KLEINPETER WATERAND QUALITY.REPRESENTATIVE CHASSION A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION To create and provide with respect to a joint legislative committee to study and make recommendations with respect to the water qualityof the Atchafalaya Basin.

CreatesWHEREAS, atheAtchafalayaBasinis jointthelargestriver legislativeswampin committeeNorthAmericaand toa studyvital andecological, makeeconomic, recommendationsand relativecultural toresource thefor water qualityof the Atchafalayastate Basin.of Louisiana;

Aand CONCURRENTWHEREAS,thebasinservesasacriticalfloodwayfortheMississippi RESOLUTIONRiversystem To create and provideplays withan respectessential torole ain jointflood legislativecontrol, committeewater tostorage, study and makesediment recommendationsdistribution withwithin respect to the waterAtchafalaya qualityofBasin theFloodway AtchafalayaSystem; Basin.

WHEREAS, theAtchafalayaBasin isthelargestriverswampin NorthAmericaand a vital ecological, economic, and cultural resource for the state of Louisiana;

and WHEREAS, thebasinservesasacriticalfloodwayfortheMississippi Riversystem and plays an essential role in flood control, water storage, and sediment distribution within the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System;

and WHEREAS, large quantities of sediment carried bythe Mississippi and Red Rivers are diverted into the Atchafalaya Basin through the Old River Control Structure and other Pagehydraulic 1features of 4the Coding:flood control system;

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-268 ENGROSSED SCR NO.

29 hydraulic features of the flood control system;

and WHEREAS, these changes may adversely affect fish populations and the productivityofPage commercial1 fisheries,of including3 crawfishandCoding: finfish, as well as recreational fishing opportunities relied upon by residents and visitors;

andWords WHEREAS,thecontinuedaccumulationofsedimentwithinthebasinmayalsoaffectwhich floodconveyancecapacity,navigationchannels,andthelong-termecologicalsustainabilityare ofstruck thethrough Atchafalayaare Basin;deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SCR NO.

29 ENROLLED productivityof commercial fisheries, including crawfishand finfish, as well as recreational fishing opportunities relied upon by residents and visitors;

and WHEREAS,thecontinuedaccumulationofsedimentwithinthebasinmayalsoaffect floodconveyancecapacity, navigationchannels,andthelong-termecologicalsustainability of the Atchafalaya Basin;

BEITFURTHERRESOLVEDthatthepresidentoftheSenateshallnameoneofthe Senate members of the committee as the chairperson for the limited purpose of calling the first meeting, and at the first meeting, the membersmembersshall shall elect a chairmanand other officers Pageas 2the ofjoint 4committee Coding:may deem appropriate.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-268 ENGROSSED SCR NO.

29 as the joint committee may deem appropriate.

BEITFURTHERRESOLVEDthatinconductingthisstudythejointcommitteemayPage request2 data, technical assistance, and recommendations from state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and stakeholders involved in the management of the3 AtchafalayaCoding: Basin and will seek input and advice from the following:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SCR NO.

29 ENROLLED BEITFURTHERRESOLVEDthatinconductingthisstudythejointcommitteemay request data, technical assistance, and recommendations from state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and stakeholders involved in the management of the Atchafalaya Basin and will seek input and advice from the following:

Atchafalaya BasinBasinkeeper. Keeper.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the committee shall constitute a quorumforthetransactionofbusiness andallofficialactionsofthecommitteeandall shallrequireofficialactionsofthecommitteeshall require the affirmative vote of a majorityof the members.

Poynter Legislative Research Libraryno later Pagethan 3April of1, 42027, Coding:and may submit supplemental reports as deemed necessary.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-268 ENGROSSED SCR NO.

29 than April 1, 2027, and may submit supplemental reports as deemed necessary.

ThePRESIDENT originalOF instrumentTHE andSENATE theSPEAKER followingOF digest,THE whichHOUSE constitutesOF noREPRESENTATIVES partPage 3 of the3 legislativeCoding: instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.

The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SCR 29 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Kleinpeter Creates a joint legislative committee to study and make recommendations relative to the water quality of the Atchafalaya Basin, including the causes and effects of sediment accumulation and its impacts on hydrology, habitat, and fisheries.

Provides thatthejoint legislative committeeshall becomposedofspecifiedmembersofthe Senate and House of Representatives representing designated legislative districts and that the president of the Senate shall designate a Senate member to call the first meeting, after which the committee shall elect its officers.

Providesthatthecommitteeshallhavethepowersotherwiseprovidedbylawandlegislative rules, that members shall receive per diem and mileage, and that staff support shall be provided by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.