LouisianaPublic airfields set radio and traffic rules for aerial applicators
Starting August 1, 2026, licensed aerial applicators must use specified equipment at public airfields and follow traffic patterns at those without control towers.
What it does
Licensed aerial applicators must operate a working transponder and two-way radio when using a public airport or landing field, or taking part in an airport priority program. These equipment rules apply only to aircraft operations connected with takeoff or landing at a public airport or landing field.
At a public airfield without an operating control tower, aerial applicators must follow the FAA-recommended traffic pattern. They may depart from it for safety, certain operating conditions, or direction from air traffic control or FAA guidance.
Argument forRadios, transponders, and shared traffic patterns could help pilots coordinate takeoffs and landings at public airfields.
Argument againstApplicators may need to operate extra equipment and adjust their flight path, which could add work when using public airfields.
More detail
Licensed aerial applicators must operate a working transponder and two-way radio in the covered situations. This covers aerial applicators licensed by Louisiana’s Department of Agriculture and Forestry when using a publicly owned airport or landing field in Louisiana, or taking part in an airport priority program. The transponder must meet applicable federal aviation rules, and the radio must be able to reach airport traffic or advisory services when available. The equipment requirements apply only during aircraft operations connected with takeoff from or landing at a public airport or landing field. The law takes effect August 1, 2026.
Aerial applicators must follow the FAA-recommended traffic pattern at covered airfields without an operating control tower. This covers aerial applicators at publicly owned airports or landing fields in Louisiana that have no operating control tower. Applicators may depart from the pattern when safety requires it, when wind, runway layout, or aircraft performance calls for another pattern, or when air traffic control or FAA guidance directs otherwise. The law takes effect August 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 8Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 825.Became Law
- Jun 8Effective date: 08/01/2026.
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- Jun 1Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Called from the calendar.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1759). Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 99, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
- May 27Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- May 27Notice given.
- May 27Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Scheduled for concurrence on 05/27/2026.
- May 25Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 21Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1120). Result: pass.Upper
- May 13Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 12Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 11Reported with amendments.Minor
- Apr 22Rules suspended. Recalled from Committee.
- Apr 22Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
- Apr 21Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.Minor
- Apr 20Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- Apr 15Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#542). Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 14Scheduled for floor debate on 04/15/2026.
- Apr 13Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- Apr 9Reported with amendments (13-0).Minor
- Mar 9Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.Minor
- Feb 27Prefiled.Minor
- Feb 27Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.Minor
- Feb 27First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.Introduced
TransportationPublic SafetyAgriculture