SB 127 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: Provides relative to permitting for advanced nuclear power generation. (8/1/25) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SB 127 amends permitting rules to include small modular reactor (SMR) providers under the definition of "electric public utility." This change directly affects nuclear energy developers and operators building SMR projects, as it allows them to qualify for utility permitting pathways. The key provision broadens the existing utility definition to explicitly cover SMR developers, designers, and operators, streamlining their regulatory process. The bill does not alter existing environmental standards but adjusts who falls under the permitting framework. It passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving to the House for consideration.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Apr 4, 2025 Signed Jun 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB127 Original → SB127 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the permitting process for advanced nuclear power projects in Louisiana to specifically include small modular reactors (SMRs). It requires applicants to prove their project aligns with a federal letter of collaboration involving multiple U.S. government agencies and expands the definition of eligible applicants to include various project roles beyond just the utility. The changes aim to streamline federal permitting parity for these specific projects.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope to specifically target small modular reactors (SMRs) and requires a federal letter of collaboration for eligibility, whereas the original text was broader regarding advanced nuclear power generation.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement for applicants to submit proof that their application is consistent with a federal letter of collaboration involving the utility and multiple U.S. government agencies.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'electric public utility' to include providers, operators, owners, generators, developers, designers, and customers of small modular reactors.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the eligibility criteria to explicitly require that the project purpose is the development and construction of a small modular reactor.

TECHNICAL

Added specific formatting and page numbering indicating the bill is now an enrolled act with signatures from the Senate, House, and Governor.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2025 · House Jun 2, 2025

How they voted

37–0

Passed

Total votes 37

Apr 28, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican26

26 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 22, 2025

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (13-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 39 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Environmental Quality.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors