Environment

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 820: ENERGY/PIPELINES: Requires tracking of carbon dioxide transported by pipeline (OR SEE FISC NOTE SD RV)

HB 820 requires companies transporting carbon dioxide (CO₂) via pipeline to track the gas from its source through injection sites using a standardized manifest system. This affects pipeline operators and facilities receiving CO₂, mandating they record details like the generator location, transporter, destination, and volume of CO₂ moved. The manifests must be kept for 10 years and shared with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality upon request, with penalties for failure to maintain them or for mismatched end-use purposes. The bill aims to improve oversight of CO₂ pipeline operations without altering emissions standards or creating new environmental requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates CO2 pipeline tracking for transparency and DEQ oversight, enabling environmental monitoring and accountability under Louisiana regulations.85% confidence

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passed · Louisiana · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 1: COASTAL RESOURCES: Approves the annual state integrated coastal protection plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, as adopted by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board

This bill (HR 1) formally approves Louisiana's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 state integrated coastal protection plan, which was already developed by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board. It directly affects Louisiana's coastal management programs by authorizing the implementation of projects focused on protecting, conserving, and restoring coastal areas, including hurricane protection and land restoration initiatives. The plan outlines funding priorities for projects like dredged material use, land acquisition, and environmental compliance, based on established project rankings. Legislative approval is required for the plan to take effect, though it automatically becomes active if not disapproved by July 1, 2026. This is a procedural resolution, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill approves Louisiana's coastal protection plan authorizing projects for protecting, conserving, and restoring coastal areas including land restoration, directly advancing environmental conservation and protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 899: NATURAL RESOURCES DEPT: Provides with respect to land reclamation following non-coal mining (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 899 establishes Louisiana's first comprehensive regulatory framework for noncoal surface mining (e.g., sand, gravel, stone) by creating the "Louisiana Noncoal Surface Mining Law." It directly affects mining operators, landowners, and the Department of Conservation and Energy, requiring operators to submit reclamation plans before mining to restore land to productive use (e.g., farming, forestry, or recreation) after operations end. Key provisions include mandatory reclamation standards, fees to fund land restoration, the creation of a Noncoal Mine Land Reclamation Fund, and exclusive state authority over permitting and enforcement. The law aims to protect water quality, prevent erosion, preserve property values, and balance resource development with environmental safeguards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates reclamation plans restoring mined land to productive use (farming/forestry/recreation), directly strengthening post-mining environmental protection standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 495: ENERGY: Authorizes the governing authority of Grant Parish to determine whether carbon dioxide sequestration and pipelines transporting carbon dioxide may be permitted within the parish

HB 495 gives Grant Parish's governing authority (the Police Jury) the power to prohibit carbon dioxide sequestration projects and pipelines transporting carbon dioxide within the parish. If the parish adopts a resolution or ordinance blocking these projects, it overrides any conflicting state permits or approvals. The bill requires the parish to notify the state Department of Conservation and Energy of its decision, and any such prohibition becomes effective immediately upon adoption. This directly affects Grant Parish residents, landowners, and potential project developers by placing local control over these specific energy infrastructure decisions.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill allows local bans on CO2 sequestration projects, preventing a key climate mitigation technology and weakening environmental protection efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 785: WILDLIFE/ENFORCEMENT: Establishes animal rehabilitation oversight within the Department of Agriculture (OR +$600,001 GF EX See Note)

HB 785 establishes a formal Animal Rehabilitation Program within Louisiana's Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The bill requires the department to oversee housing, treatment, and care of injured or orphaned native Louisiana wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into the wild. It mandates the commissioner to collaborate with the state veterinarian to develop program rules and procedures. This bill, which is pending constitutional amendment approval, would directly affect wildlife rehabilitation facilities and native animal care operations across the state. The program cannot take effect until a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes wildlife rehabilitation program to conserve native species through care and release, directly supporting environmental conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 810: INFRASTRUCTURE: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for additional authorized uses of funds invested in a state infrastructure bank (OR See Note)

HB 810 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the types of projects funded by Louisiana's state infrastructure bank. It would allow public funds invested in the bank to support water, energy, resilience, and hazard mitigation projects - beyond the current restriction to transportation projects. This change requires voter approval in the 2026 election and modifies Article VII, Section 14(B) of the Louisiana Constitution to explicitly include these new project categories. The amendment directly affects how the state allocates infrastructure funding for community and environmental projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly adds 'energy' as an eligible project category for infrastructure bank funding, enabling public investment in energy infrastructure projects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands infrastructure funding to include water, resilience, and hazard mitigation projects, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.90% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 589: ENERGY/PIPELINES: Requires a five hundred foot setback for carbon dioxide pipelines

HB 589 (Energy/Pipelines: Requires a five hundred foot setback for carbon dioxide pipelines) would require carbon dioxide transport pipelines in Louisiana to maintain a minimum 500-foot buffer zone from inhabited dwellings, schools, and healthcare facilities. This policy directly affects pipeline companies planning to construct CO2 transportation infrastructure within the state. The bill amends Louisiana law to add this setback requirement as a specific siting condition for CO2 pipelines, mirroring existing rules for Class VI injection wells. The provision aims to establish a standardized safety distance between pipeline infrastructure and sensitive locations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 500-foot buffer from dwellings/schools to prevent CO2 pipeline leaks, directly protecting communities and environment from potential pollution incidents.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 500ft setback from healthcare facilities, protecting them from CO2 pipeline risks per bill's explicit language on healthcare facility inclusion.90% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House May 19, 2026

HB 6: ENERGY: Authorizes the governing authority of Rapides Parish to determine whether carbon dioxide sequestration and pipelines transporting carbon dioxide may be permitted within the parish (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

HB 6 gives Rapides Parish local control over carbon dioxide projects by allowing its governing authority (the Police Jury) to prohibit Class VI injection wells, carbon dioxide sequestration, and CO2 pipelines within the parish through a resolution or ordinance. If the parish adopts such a prohibition, the state cannot issue permits for these activities, overriding any existing state approvals or applications. This law directly affects residents, businesses, and energy companies operating in Rapides Parish by shifting permitting authority from the state to the local government.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows local prohibition of CO2 sequestration and pipelines, blocking carbon capture projects that reduce emissions, weakening climate protection efforts.92% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7: PROPERTY/EXPROPRIATION: Enacts the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

HB 7, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, prohibits private entities from using eminent domain (taking private property without consent) for carbon dioxide pipelines or underground storage projects. It directly affects landowners whose property might be sought for such infrastructure and private companies seeking to build CO2 pipelines or storage facilities. The bill removes existing expropriation authority for these purposes, defines "private entities" broadly to include corporations and partnerships, and eliminates the secretary of the Department of Energy and Conservation’s power to issue related certificates of public convenience. This replaces prior provisions allowing forced takings for CO2 projects with a clear ban on such actions without owner consent.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill blocks CO2 pipeline infrastructure development, restricting fossil fuel-related energy infrastructure projects via eminent domain prohibition.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks CO2 pipeline infrastructure, hindering carbon capture projects critical for climate mitigation efforts by removing eminent domain authority for carbon storage.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure Conservation

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