Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

The Adjudicatory Hearing commenced with a declaration of quorum. A motion was made and unanimously carried to add stipulation 25-WM-1009 (Dollar General Store 9666) to the agenda, despite the prior approval of the June 26, 2025, minutes being addressed. Hearings were conducted on several cases including Metro by T-Mobile (25-WM-1011), which resulted in a penalty of Five Thousand Dollars suspended conditional upon passing a follow-up inspection, after an initial motion to find the respondent in violation failed. Swan Lake Food Mart (25-WM-1002) was found in violation for eleven instances of misrepresenting price or quantity, with the full recommended penalty of $8,250.00 assessed. Stipulated cases involving Grab N Geaux 20, Family Dollar Store, Dollar General Store 9666, Circle K 7665, and Rouse's Enterprise, L.L.C. were accepted with their respective recommended penalties. Under New Business, the Director thanked the commission members, and a plaque was presented to Mr. Cal Simpson for his service from 2018 to 2025.

Key discussions included the approval of the minutes from the July 2025 meeting and the scheduling of future meeting dates for 2026. The Commission addressed reinstatement requests for landscape irrigation contractor, landscape horticulture, and arborist licenses for two individuals. The adjudicatory hearing involved stipulations for four cases related to advertising in regulated professions or violating stop orders without the proper arborist license, resulting in agreed-upon penalties. New business involved a Director's Report detailing updates on industry meetings, the launch of a new exam platform, and the discovery of a new pest, Amrasca biguttula. The Board also supported proposed adjustments to license and permit fees pending legislative approval.

The meeting began with the administration of the oath of office to new board members Massey Shelton and Gary Hinton. Key discussions included Commissioner Mike Strain addressing the invasion of New World Screw worms affecting cattle, protocols for meat inspections, and the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in alternative livestock. The Brand Enforcement Director introduced a new brand enforcement officer for the northwest area and provided updates on case investigations, recovered livestock values, arrests made, public speaking events, inspections, brand registrations, and microchipped saddles. The board was reminded by the Attorney to complete mandatory Sexual Harassment and Ethics Training.

The Adjudicatory Hearing was called to order by Chairman Scott Simonson. Following the roll call, it was determined that a quorum was not present among the Commission Members. Consequently, the Weights and Measures Hearing was canceled and rescheduled for March 20, 2026. The meeting was subsequently adjourned shortly thereafter.

The meeting addressed several matters including reinstatement requests for Landscape Architect and Arborist licenses, which were subsequently approved. The Commission also handled exam appeals, allowing one candidate to retest in person for the Arborist exam, and granting passing grades without retesting for another Arborist candidate and a Landscape Horticulturalist candidate. During an adjudicatory hearing, a stipulated case involving unlicensed activity and violation of a stop order resulted in a penalty acceptance of $1,500.00. In a contested case, the respondent was found in violation for similar charges, and the recommended penalty of $4,500.00 was accepted. New business included the Director's Report providing updates on staffing, fee increases, regulation changes, and new pest detections.