SB 73 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: Provides for sequestration of carbon dioxide. (8/1/25)

SB 73 amends Louisiana law to require environmental commissioners to give "substantial consideration" to local government comments during public comment periods or hearings for environmental matters. This change directly affects state environmental commissioners and local governments, ensuring their input is formally weighed in decision-making. The bill does not create new carbon sequestration programs or policies - its focus is solely on procedural changes to public engagement. The amendment was passed unanimously in the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Apr 2, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB73 Original SB73 Act 414 · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill updates Louisiana's carbon sequestration laws to modernize unitization rules, establish a formal eminent domain process for storage facilities, and clarify notification requirements for permit applications. The changes aim to streamline the approval of large-scale carbon storage projects while ensuring fair compensation and public transparency.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of carbon sequestration regulations by adding specific procedures for eminent domain and unitization, which were previously less defined in the original draft.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new unitization rule requiring at least 85% of storage unit owners to consent in writing before a geologic storage order is issued.

Revised notification requirements for Class VI and V permit applications to ensure operators make a good-faith effort to notify all relevant parties within the review area.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a detailed eminent domain process for carbon storage facilities, mandating written notice, property inspections, good-faith negotiations, and a specific offer format before acquiring land.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 23, 2025 · House May 22, 2025

How they voted

360
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 37
Apr 23, 2025
D Democratic11
11 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican26
25 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
30
Key actions
11
Committee
11
Amendments
2
Jun 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.
upper
Jun 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 94, nays 0. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.
lower
Jun 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.
lower
Jun 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.
lower
Jun 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays.
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.
upper
Jun 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate conference committee members appointed: Hensgens, Reese, and Wheat.
upper
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Notice of Senate rejecting House amendments.
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 89, nays 1. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (14-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Reported with amendments.
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors