This resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy and the Department of Environmental Quality to assess the safety of drinking water in Shreveport. The request is driven by the city's recent failing water quality grades and concerns about aging infrastructure and past environmental violations. State agencies are asked to review the water system's condition and submit written recommendations to the House Committee by November 1, 2026, with a follow-up report due before the 2027 legislative session.
This bill directs the city of Shreveport to provide quarterly reports to the House Committee on Health and Welfare regarding its efforts to improve its failing drinking water grade. The legislation also requires the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health to submit these updates alongside the city's reports. By mandating regular communication, the bill aims to increase transparency about the steps being taken to address water quality issues in Shreveport.
This resolution establishes a Clean Water Task Force to investigate the public water system in Shreveport, Louisiana, which has recently faced issues like aging infrastructure, chemical contamination, and boil advisories. The task force will include representatives from state health and environmental agencies, local city officials, and local universities to assess the condition of water pipes, treatment facilities, and management practices. Members must complete their evaluations and submit a written report with recommendations for improving water quality and infrastructure reliability by November 18, 2026. The group is required to hold public hearings in Shreveport throughout the summer to gather community input before finalizing their findings.
This bill proposes the creation of a joint legislative committee to study water quality issues within the Atchafalaya Basin. The committee would be tasked with investigating the current state of the water and providing recommendations to the legislature. By establishing this group, the bill aims to focus attention on environmental concerns specific to this region without immediately changing existing laws. The measure is currently being reviewed by state committees and has not yet been enacted into law.
This bill amends existing laws regarding the withdrawal of surface water by updating specific dates and refining how environmental impacts are evaluated. It requires state officials to consider the effects of water projects on vegetation and wildlife, including their management and potential proliferation, when reviewing contracts or agreements. The text also includes minor adjustments to numbering and punctuation within the legislation to ensure clarity. These changes aim to strengthen the assessment process for water resource projects without altering the fundamental authority to withdraw water.
HB 802 establishes Louisiana's Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund to support the cleanup and long-term management of lands and watersheds damaged by sand and gravel mining operations, with priority for flood-prone areas. The fund is financed by 100% of sand and gravel severance tax revenues (after constitutional allocations) plus donations, and it can only provide grants to legally created watershed entities that manage flood risks and have local representation. These eligible groups must maintain approved master plans, have floodplain management authority, and include experts in water resources. The fund requires annual reports to natural resources committees detailing how money is spent. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 367 creates Louisiana's Watershed Conservation Fund to support restoration of lands and watersheds damaged by sand and stone mining. The fund is financed by remaining severance tax revenues from these mining operations after other required allocations (like coastal protection funds). It directly affects eligible watershed management entities that meet specific criteria, such as having statutory floodplain management authority and a governing board with parish representation and relevant expertise. Funds will be used for reclaiming abandoned mining sites, reducing flood risks in vulnerable areas, and improving water quality in impaired watersheds. The secretary of the department must annually report fund administration to relevant legislative committees.
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.
