Environment

passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 25, 2026

SCR 24: WILDLIFE/FISHERIES DEPT: Amends rules relative to chronic wasting disease.

This bill amends Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rules to update regulations for managing Chronic Wasting Disease in deer populations. It establishes specific management zones around infected areas, prohibiting supplemental feeding and baiting in the inner zone while allowing it under strict conditions in the outer buffer zone. The legislation also defines clear procedures for creating, modifying, or removing these zones based on surveillance results and requires the use of identifiable boundaries like roads and waterways.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental regulations by establishing management zones to control Chronic Wasting Disease, protecting deer populations and ecosystem health.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · Louisiana · House May 25, 2026

HR 225: ENVIRONMENT: Urges and requests the Department of Environmental Quality, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, and the municipalities within Ouachita Parish to study parish-wide solid waste, debris removal, and disaster resiliency services

This resolution asks state agencies and local governments in Ouachita Parish to study how to combine their trash collection, debris removal, and disaster cleanup services into one unified system. The study will look at ways to save money, handle storm debris more efficiently after natural disasters, and build better long-term infrastructure like landfills and recycling centers. Specific areas of focus include creating a single billing system, setting up pre-planned cleanup contracts, and exploring partnerships with private companies to fund these improvements. The involved agencies must work together to complete this analysis and submit a final report with their findings and recommendations to the state legislature by December 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes efficient waste management and disaster resilience, which supports environmental protection and resource conservation.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 835: WILDLIFE/MGT AREAS: Establishes a charter guide wildlife management area access permit (EN INCREASE SD RV See Note)

HB 835 establishes an annual $100 charter guide permit for fishing guides operating within Louisiana's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). This permit replaces individual access permits for both the guide and their paying clients during for-hire fishing trips. Guides must submit confidential landing reports detailing trips, anglers, and fishing locations to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, but financial data is excluded. Violations of the permit or reporting rules carry fines starting at $1,000 or require vessel monitoring systems for repeat offenses, with license suspension possible for non-compliance. The bill directly affects commercial fishing guides conducting trips in WMAs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes permit/reporting for fishing guides in Wildlife Management Areas, aiding resource monitoring and conservation management within protected zones.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 757: FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Provides relative to the taking of menhaden

HB 757 prohibits commercial fishing for menhaden (a small fish used in fish oil and feed) within Louisiana waters designated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. It directly affects commercial fishers, vessels, and businesses involved in menhaden harvesting. The bill establishes strict liability (meaning violators are responsible without proof of intent) and imposes escalating penalties: $50,000 for a first offense, license revocation for up to 365 days for repeated violations, and permanent license loss after a fourth violation. These penalties apply to individuals or businesses operating commercial fishing vessels in prohibited zones.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits commercial menhaden fishing in designated waters to protect the species and marine ecosystem, a direct conservation measure under environmental protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Louisiana · House May 22, 2026

HB 727: ENVIRONMENT: Provides for the burning of untreated, unpainted dimensional lumber

HB 727 prevents Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality from banning the burning of untreated, unpainted dimensional lumber (like wood framing materials used in construction). This directly affects construction companies, property owners, and contractors who manage debris from building projects. The bill requires the Department to update or remove any conflicting rules in the Administrative Code that would otherwise restrict this specific type of burning. It creates a clear exception for this debris type, making it legal to burn without new permits or approvals under current regulations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prevents DEQ from banning burning of construction wood, removing pollution controls and weakening environmental regulations on emissions from debris burning.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

passed both · Louisiana · Senate May 20, 2026

SCR 6: PORTS/HARBORS/TERMINALS: Expresses support for the development, construction, and long-term operation of a liquid natural gas facility at the Greater Lafourche Port Commission's Port Fourchon.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature's full support for building and operating a liquid natural gas export facility at Port Fourchon. It directly affects the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, local businesses, and workers involved in the project, which is currently seeking federal permits. The resolution highlights the project's potential to create thousands of jobs, generate billions in economic activity, and prioritize Louisiana-based manufacturing and employment. It also notes the project's alignment with state economic goals and a policy of exporting energy to nations with shared democratic values.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expresses legislative support for LNG facility development, promoting energy infrastructure and economic activity in the energy sector.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill supports LNG export facility which typically increases fossil fuel extraction and emissions, potentially weakening environmental protections and increasing pollution.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expresses support for LNG facility development which is projected to create thousands of jobs and generate economic activity, indicating positive impact on employment.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly supports development of LNG facility at port, advancing transportation infrastructure and economic activity related to ports and logistics.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 858: WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Establishes a public records exemption for Global Positioning System data collected on wildlife and aquatic life

HB 858 exempts GPS location data collected by Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on individual wildlife and aquatic animals from public records disclosure. The bill amends state law to explicitly exclude this specific data from being released under public records requests. This directly affects the department's ability to share such data with the public, while protecting the precise locations of individual animals from potential misuse. The key provision prevents the release of GPS information that could reveal where specific animals are located.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts GPS wildlife data from public disclosure to prevent misuse (e.g., poaching), directly protecting species and habitats, thus supporting conservation efforts.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts GPS wildlife tracking data from public disclosure, protecting location privacy from misuse per bill's intent to prevent potential harm to animals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 851: ENVIRONMENT/LITTERING: Provides relative to intentional littering

HB 851 prohibits intentional releases of 12 or more balloons at a single event, imposing fines similar to other littering violations. It specifically exempts balloon releases by people under 17, biodegradable balloons, indoor releases, scientific/weather balloons (by agencies/institutions), and balloons with tracking devices. The law applies to event organizers planning such releases but does not affect typical balloon use or accidental releases. This amendment to Louisiana's littering statute clarifies penalties for mass balloon releases while allowing for common exceptions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits intentional large-scale balloon releases (a pollution source) with fines, aligning with littering regulations to reduce environmental harm. Exemptions for biodegradable/indoor releases show targeted protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 697: SUNSET LAW: Re-creates the Department of Environmental Quality

HB 697 re-creates Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) with a specific end date, effective June 30, 2026, and requires it to terminate on July 1, 2031. The bill directly affects the DEQ and all agencies currently operating under it, as their statutory authority will end by the 2031 termination date. Key provisions include repealing an existing statute (R.S. 49:191(1)(j)) and enacting new language (R.S. 49:191(3)(b)) to set the 2031 deadline for the DEQ’s operations. The department may be re-established before 2031 under existing procedures, but this bill establishes a fixed 5-year timeframe for its current structure. This is a procedural sunset law, not a policy change to environmental regulations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill terminates DEQ operations by 2031, ending environmental regulatory authority without replacement, weakening long-term oversight.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Louisiana · House May 11, 2026

HB 891: MTR VEHICLE/LICEN PLATES: Provides for wildlife special prestige license plates (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 891 creates three new special license plates in Louisiana: "Louisiana Quail Forever," "Ducks Unlimited," and "Conserve Louisiana." Vehicle owners who purchase these plates pay additional fees ($26 for Quail, $50 for Ducks, $50 for Conserve Louisiana) beyond standard registration costs. The base fees fund the state's Conservation Fund for specific wildlife habitats (quail or waterfowl), while annual royalty fees ($50 each) go directly to the respective conservation organizations (Quail Forever or Ducks Unlimited) to support their habitat work. The "Conserve Louisiana" plate requires 1,000 applicants before issuance and directs all fees to the Conservation Fund for general wildlife conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife conservation through special license plate fees, directing revenue to habitat protection and organizations like Quail Forever.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment