Changes the name of the Louisiana Soybean Association. (8/1/26)

Senate Bill 350 amends Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:3552(A) to change a reference to an agricultural association's name within the statutory framework governing the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board. Specifically, the bill replaces the term "Louisiana Soybean Association" with "Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association" in the provision that describes which organizations submit nominees for board membership. The statute establishes a twelve-member board composed of eight soybean producers and four grain producers, with different organizations responsible for submitting candidates for appointment by the governor. The amendment operates as a straightforward nomenclature change to reflect a renaming of the organization that participates in the nomination process.

The practical impact of this bill affects the governance structure of the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board by updating the name of the organization whose representatives will submit nominees for board positions. The Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association (formerly known as the Louisiana Soybean Association) will continue to submit five practical soybean producer candidates to the governor, from whom three will be appointed to the board. Additionally, the amended statute requires this renamed association to submit three candidates who are wheat, corn, or grain sorghum producers, from whom two will be appointed. This change preserves the existing nomination and appointment process while clarifying which organization exercises these nomination rights under its new corporate name.

The amendment operates within the existing statutory scheme governing agricultural commodity boards in Louisiana. The board was created to coordinate research and promotion activities related to soybean and grain production, a significant agricultural sector in the state. The statute establishes a formal nomination process that balances representation between different agricultural organizations, with the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation submitting candidates for five soybean producer positions and two grain producer positions, while the renamed association submits candidates for the remaining three soybean producer positions and two grain producer positions. The change becomes effective August 1, 2026, and reflects only an organizational name update without altering the substantive duties, powers, or composition structure of the research and promotion board itself.