HB 595 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Provides relative to permits required by local governments that impede the development of the state's natural resources

HB 595 transfers exclusive authority over natural resource development permits from local governments to the state department. It prohibits parishes, cities, and other local entities from requiring permits or enacting ordinances that could delay or block state-led development of resources like oil, gas, or minerals. The bill specifically states that no local government may impose permitting requirements related to natural resources, shifting all regulatory control to the state. This directly affects local governments and developers who previously navigated local permitting processes. The law aims to streamline state oversight for resource projects by eliminating overlapping local requirements.

Issues: ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed Jun 1, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB595 Original → HB595 Act 656 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized into Act No. 656, changing its title from a broad prohibition on local permits to a specific focus on local road permitting. It clarifies that while the state holds exclusive authority over natural resources, local governments cannot unreasonably interfere with state-approved activities by delaying road permits beyond thirty days.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from a general ban on local permitting requirements to a specific mandate regarding the timing of local road permits for state-authorized projects.

REQUIREMENT

The legislative purpose was refined to specifically address 'local road permitting' rather than a blanket prohibition on all local permits.

A new 30-day deadline was established, requiring local governments to approve or deny road permit applications with written reasons within that timeframe.

ENFORCEMENT

The bill now includes a 'deemed approval' clause, automatically approving applications if the local government fails to act within the 30-day window.

DEFINITION

The text was updated to clarify that local governing authorities and permitting bodies cannot use inaction to interfere with state-permitted activities.

Floor votes · Senate May 27, 2026 · House May 6, 2026

How they voted

37–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 40

May 27, 2026

D Democratic12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

R Republican28

26 Yea 2

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

May 25, 2026

Committee

Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Reported favorably.

upper

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 1. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (13-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors