SB 99 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

ENVIRONMENT QUALITY DEPT: Provides for electronic communication and notification at the Department of Environmental Quality in certain situations. (8/1/26) (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

SB 99 allows Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to use electronic communication, such as email, for official notices about permits, violations, and reports, with electronic notices having the same legal effect as physical mail. It requires the DEQ to send these notices to affected parishes, public interest groups, and individuals who have requested electronic alerts, and to maintain electronic mailing lists for public updates. The bill streamlines DEQ communication processes without changing environmental regulations or requirements. This directly affects the DEQ's operations and the public, particularly those who have signed up for email notifications.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 20, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB99 Original → SB99 Act 456 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Department of Environmental Quality's notification procedures to explicitly include electronic communication and mailing lists. It clarifies that electronic notices have the same legal weight as physical mail and expands the requirement to notify specific individuals who have requested updates. The changes streamline how the department communicates permit applications, violations, and capacity reports to the public and local authorities.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of notification requirements to include specific individuals and municipalities within affected parishes, ensuring they receive electronic or written notice regarding environmental permits and violations.

REQUIREMENT

Updated statutory references to include new sections (2075.2, 2195.9, 2286.1) related to electronic communication and notification protocols.

Clarified that electronic transmission of notices has the same legal force and effect as notice provided by mail or certified mail.

Added a requirement to notify specific individuals within an affected parish who have previously requested notice electronically or in writing.

Mandated that the department maintain a mailing list and provide notice to persons who request to be placed on it.

Required the secretary to include an email address for the 'environmental contact' when a sewage treatment facility is transferred to a homeowners' association.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 30, 2026 · House May 19, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Mar 30, 2026

D Democratic12

12 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 13, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Mar 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

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