HB 510 prohibits the importation of captured carbon dioxide (CO2) into Louisiana for underground storage. It requires that any CO2 stored in Louisiana must have been generated within the state itself. The bill mandates that Louisiana's Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources must verify this local generation requirement before approving storage permits or eminent domain actions for CO2 reservoirs. This directly affects companies or entities seeking to store CO2 in Louisiana, blocking the use of imported CO2 for sequestration projects.
SB 272 requires Louisiana to adopt rules recognizing federal permits for nuclear power generation under a federal permitting parity program. It would allow nuclear power facilities to operate in Louisiana using permits issued by other states under this federal program. The key mechanism amends permitting rules to include a notice that permits comply with the federal parity program. This directly affects nuclear power generation facilities seeking to operate in Louisiana. The bill creates reciprocity to streamline permitting across state lines for nuclear facilities.
HB 707 updates Louisiana's Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission rules to redirect assessment fees toward promoting propane use through advertising, trade shows, and consumer rebates for propane appliances. It requires the commission to form an advisory board with nine industry representatives (including specific permit holders) to advise on fund allocation. The board must meet publicly and can hold virtual sessions, with members serving without pay. The bill also allows the commission to partner with the Department of Agriculture for market development efforts. Currently pending in committee.
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.
HB 731 clarifies that pipeline operators in Louisiana cannot be held to "implied obligations" beyond what is explicitly written in their contracts with landowners. It defines key terms like "pipeline" (covering natural gas, oil, and other substances) and "pipeline operator," then states that standard property law duties for pipeline access rights do not apply unless specified in the contract. This directly affects landowners who may have relied on implied legal duties and pipeline companies seeking to limit their liability. The bill applies retroactively to all unresolved disputes, ensuring existing claims are governed by this contractual limitation.
HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, limits legal claims against energy producers for climate-related damages. It prohibits lawsuits based on emissions originating outside Louisiana and makes it extremely difficult to sue for emissions within Louisiana, requiring plaintiffs to prove with "clear and convincing evidence" that the defendant violated specific permits or regulations, caused over 50% of the damages, and that the plaintiff did not contribute to the emissions. The bill directly affects energy producers, manufacturers, and related industries by shielding them from most climate-damage claims under Louisiana law. It also mandates that government entities seeking to sue must obtain prior written approval from the Governor, Attorney General, and two legislative committees. The law aims to preempt state court claims, aligning with federal Clean Air Act protections.
HB 878 prohibits the permitting of carbon dioxide (CO2) storage beneath Louisiana's designated natural and scenic river systems. It directly affects carbon capture project developers seeking underground storage sites under these rivers, as the bill blocks permits for such operations. The key provision amends state law to explicitly ban geologic CO2 storage beneath rivers listed in the scenic river system designation (R.S. 56:1840 et al.), regardless of other legal provisions. This policy change prevents new carbon capture projects from using riverbeds as storage locations.
HB 890 requires new scientific evidence and stricter environmental reviews for certain construction projects on Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, directly affecting developers of pipelines, dredging, or offshore platforms. It mandates specific documentation - including sediment testing, benthic habitat mapping, and hydrodynamic modeling - to prove activities won’t permanently harm lake bottoms, disrupt ecosystems, or increase pollution. The bill also requires independent scientific reviews, public hearings in affected areas, and written findings for each environmental criterion before permits are issued. These rules apply to all pending permits as of the law’s effective date, with no impact on federal jurisdiction.
HB 637 adjusts oilfield site restoration fees for certain low-production wells in Louisiana. It sets reduced fees at 50% for oil from incapable wells, 25% for oil from stripper wells, 40% for gas from low-pressure wells, and 17.5% for gas from incapable gas wells - proportionally aligning with existing reduced severance tax rates. The bill directly affects oil and gas producers operating these specific well types, as defined under Louisiana law (R.S. 47:633). The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 62 prohibits the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines within the boundaries of Lake Maurepas and Lake Ponchartrain in Louisiana. The bill explicitly bans pipelines built "for the purpose, in whole or in part, of transporting carbon dioxide" in these two water bodies. This directly affects any entity seeking to build such pipelines in these specific lakes. The bill is currently prefiled and under consideration but has not yet been enacted.
