CONSERVATION: Provides for the Department of Conservation and Energy. (8/1/26)

SB 188 amends Louisiana law to clarify that waste of oil or gas is prohibited during extraction, directly affecting oil and gas producers who must comply with this requirement. The bill reenacts Section 30:2 of the state code to explicitly state that waste - defined as inefficient or unnecessary loss during production - is banned. This change provides clearer regulatory language for the Department of Conservation and Energy to enforce conservation standards. The bill is procedural, focusing on defining prohibited practices rather than creating new programs or funding. It is currently under review by the Natural Resources committee.