Environment

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 710: WATERWAYS: Provides for withdrawal of surface water from Lake Bistineau

HB 710 requires entities withdrawing surface water from Lake Bistineau to pay an annual fee of up to $1 million to fund aquatic weed control on the lake. The fee replaces prior reimbursement rules for water withdrawals, with funds deposited into a dedicated account for Lake Bistineau only. It applies to all surface water withdrawals from the lake, with a rate not exceeding 15 cents per thousand gallons for general use. All collected funds must be used solely for controlling weeds on Lake Bistineau, as specified in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes annual fee on water withdrawals to fund lake weed control, creating dedicated revenue stream for public service maintenance.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds dedicated to aquatic weed control on Lake Bistineau, directly supporting environmental management of the water body.95% confidence

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signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 872: FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Requires all commercial menhaden reduction fishery vessels to use an AIS system

HB 872 requires all commercial vessels engaged in menhaden reduction fishing (including carrier vessels, steamers, and purse boats) to install and use an automatic identification system (AIS). The AIS is a tracking system that automatically shares a vessel's location, speed, and heading with other ships, shore stations, and satellites. This bill directly affects commercial fishing operations harvesting menhaden for processing into products like fish meal or oil. The law mandates this technology to improve vessel tracking and safety in Louisiana waters, with no exemptions specified for the covered vessel types.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAIS tracking enhances vessel monitoring to prevent overfishing and protect menhaden populations, supporting marine conservation efforts.85% confidence

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 890: COASTAL RES/COASTAL ZONE: Imposes additional requirements for certain coastal use permits on Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF RV See Note)

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes stricter environmental reviews on pipelines and offshore platforms (energy infrastructure), restricting fossil fuel development projects.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates stricter environmental reviews, sediment testing, and habitat mapping to prevent ecosystem harm and pollution in coastal lakes, strengthening protections for natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 176: FORESTRY: Provides relative to prescribed burning. (8/1/26)

SB 176 amends Louisiana law to clarify the process for handling complaints about prescribed burns. It requires individuals to report burn-related complaints directly to the forestry commissioner, who must investigate and can suspend or revoke authorization for burns that violate rules. This directly affects landowners, forestry managers, and others conducting prescribed burns, as they must comply with established requirements to maintain their authorization. The bill creates a specific enforcement mechanism for the commissioner to address non-compliance without changing the underlying burn regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies complaint process for prescribed burns, enforcing compliance to prevent environmental harm from improper burns, strengthening regulatory oversight of forest management practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 499: ENERGY: Provides relative to compensation for pore space owners (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)

HB 499 sets rules for compensating landowners whose property is part of a carbon dioxide storage project in Louisiana. It requires that non-consenting landowners (those who didn’t agree to the project) receive at least the average compensation paid to consenting owners in the same project, with a minimum payment per acre. The bill also gives courts the authority to review if compensation is "just" if challenged, limiting review to the specific owner’s case and allowing courts to request necessary information. This directly affects property owners in areas designated for geologic carbon storage, ensuring fairer payment terms for those who did not voluntarily participate.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFacilitates carbon dioxide storage projects (climate mitigation) by ensuring fair compensation for landowners, enabling environmental protection efforts related to carbon capture.85% confidence

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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 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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