Section 8.(A)  Forestry; Acreage Taxes.  Forestry shall be practiced in the state, and the legislature may enact laws therefor.  It may authorize parish governing authorities to levy acreage taxes, not to exceed two cents per acre, for the purposes of this Section.  The provisions of this constitution exempting homesteads from taxation shall apply to forestry acreage taxes.

(B)(1)  Forestry Commission.  The practice of forestry is placed under the Louisiana Forestry Commission.  The commission shall be in the executive branch and shall consist of seven members.  The head of the Department of Forestry at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College and the director of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission shall serve ex officio as members.  The governor shall appoint the remaining five members, subject to confirmation by the Senate, for overlapping terms of five years, as provided by law.

(2)  No person who has served as an appointed member of the commission for more than two and one-half terms in three consecutive terms shall be appointed to the commission for the succeeding term.  This Subparagraph shall not apply to any person appointed to the commission prior to the effective date of this Subparagraph,¹ except that it shall apply to any term of service of any such person that begins after such date.

(C)  State Forester.  The commission shall appoint a state forester.  He shall be a graduate of an accredited school of forestry and have at least four years of forestry experience, as provided by law.

Amended by Acts 2008, No. 935, §1, approved Nov. 4, 2008, eff. Dec. 8, 2008.

¹Dec. 8, 2008.