SERVITUDES: Provides for legal servitudes. (8/1/25)
SB 35 clarifies existing law regarding "servitudes" (legal rights to use another's property, such as utility easements). It makes a minor technical amendment to a specific phrase in the law, deleting the word "the" to remove ambiguity about how servitudes affect property rights. This bill directly affects property owners, developers, and utility companies that rely on clear legal frameworks for access rights. It does not create new rights or obligations but ensures the current legal language is precise and unambiguous. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving to the House for consideration.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 31, 2025
Signed Jun 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB35 Original
→
SB35 Act
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill updates Louisiana's Civil Code regarding the legal right of passage for landlocked properties. The primary changes clarify that the owner of the landlocked property must compensate the neighbor for the right of way and must indemnify them for any damages caused. It also explicitly states that the owner of the landlocked property is responsible for any new maintenance burdens or costs related to utility lines installed across the neighbor's land.
Scope change
The scope remains focused on property rights for landlocked estates, but the text now more clearly defines the financial responsibilities of the landlocked owner, including specific liability for utility maintenance.
REQUIREMENT
Added explicit language requiring the owner of a landlocked estate to compensate the neighbor for the right of passage and to indemnify the neighbor for any damages caused by the servitude.
Established that the owner of the dominant (landlocked) estate is responsible for new maintenance burdens and costs for utility lines installed on the servient (neighbor's) land.
DEFINITION
Clarified that a right of passage for a landlocked estate does not necessarily have to allow for vehicular traffic, depending on what is reasonably necessary for the property's use.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 29, 2025 · House May 22, 2025
How they voted
37–0
Passed
Total votes 37
Apr 29, 2025
D
Democratic11
100% Yea
R
Republican26
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 22, 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 13, 2025
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 5, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
Apr 29, 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 23, 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 Judiciary A.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Ed Price
DDemocratic
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