The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill Monday that aims to simplify state regulations on shrimp nets, opening the door for fishermen to make improvements to net configurations.

State Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Napoleonville, and Gordy Dove, R-Houma, co-authored House Bill 440, which changes the law dictating how shrimpers can hang their nets from the side of a boat. The legislation now moves to the state Senate, where it will be debated in committee.

Here's how local lawmakers voted:

For: Harrison; Lenar Whitney, R-Houma; and Truck Gisclair, D-Larose.

Absent: Dove; Dee Richard, a Thibodaux independent.

The proposed changes follow years of discussion over whether existing law limited shrimpers' efforts to improve the efficiency of the nets.

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