HIGHER EDUCATION: Realigns energy-related programs by moving the Louisiana Geological Survey under the Louisiana State University Energy Institute (EN NO IMPACT See Note)
This bill reorganizes state energy programs by moving the Louisiana Geological Survey under the Louisiana State University Energy Institute. The change places geological survey responsibilities within the university's energy institute while maintaining cooperation with other state agencies like the Department of Conservation and Energy. The legislation updates legal codes to reflect this structural shift and clarifies how the institute will coordinate geological data storage and analysis with existing state departments.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Mar 23, 2026
Signed May 22, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB987 Original
→
HB987 Act 331
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill reorganizes the state's energy data management by moving the Louisiana Geological Survey under the LSU Energy Institute. It expands the institute's duties to coordinate with the Department of Conservation and Energy for geological data and establishes a new central program to collect and analyze energy resource information. The changes aim to unify energy data collection and improve the state's ability to assess energy reserves and production.
Scope change
The bill shifts the administrative home of the Louisiana Geological Survey from a general location to specifically within the LSU Energy Institute and expands the scope of the Office of Energy to include a comprehensive data management program.
REQUIREMENT
The Louisiana Geological Survey is now explicitly required to coordinate with the Department of Conservation and Energy regarding geological surveys and data storage.
A new central, unified energy data and information program is created to collect, evaluate, and analyze data on energy reserves, production, demand, and technology.
The Office of Energy is tasked with providing technical assistance and expertise to the Natural Resources Commission and identifying policy options for energy-related matters.
Previous language requiring the Geological Survey to coordinate with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regarding survey storage was removed.
Floor votes · Senate May 13, 2026 · House Apr 9, 2026
How they voted
34–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 39
May 13, 2026
D
Democratic11
81% Yea
R
Republican28
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
4
May 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 4, 2026
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Reported favorably.
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (8-0).
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jack McFarland
RRepublican
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