Restaurants that use Louisiana seafood, beef, rice, yams, corn or other state-grown or harvested products could get a 4 percent rebate for buying and serving those items to patrons if a bill that is nearing final legislative approval becomes law.
The money would come from fees assessed by the various industries themselves.
Senate Bill 81 by Sen. Fred Mills, R-St. Martinville, which would create the "Louisiana Buy Local Purchase Incentive Program," cleared the Senate May 16 on a 30-1 vote and last week was given a 10-0 endorsement by the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development..
It needs to pass a final vote of the full House and go back to the Senate for approval of technical language before it is sent to Gov. Bobby Jindal for his approval or rejection.
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