WATER/WATERWAYS: Provides relative to the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act. (8/1/26)
SB 331 temporarily exempts specific drainage projects on the West Pearl River (from Lock 1 to the Rigolets) from Louisiana's Scenic Rivers Act protections. The bill removes restrictions on activities like channelization, dredging, and reservoir construction for drainage purposes between August 1, 2026, and August 1, 2033. It also eliminates the requirement for permits under related laws for these projects during that period. This change directly affects river management activities in that specific river segment for seven years.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026
Signed May 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB331 Original
→
SB331 Act 493
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was enacted into law as Act No. 493, officially approving the text. The most significant substantive change shortens the duration of the protection period for the West Pearl River from eight years (2026-2033) to six years (2026-2031). Additionally, the scope of protection was expanded to explicitly include the river's tributaries, ensuring these smaller waterways receive the same safeguards against development and dredging as the main river channel.
Scope change
The geographic scope of the protection was expanded to include tributaries of the West Pearl River, and the time scope of the protection was reduced from 8 years to 6 years.
TIMELINE
The protection period for the West Pearl River was shortened from August 1, 2026, through August 1, 2033, to August 1, 2026, through August 1, 2031.
SCOPE
The protected area was expanded to explicitly include the West Pearl River and its tributaries, rather than just the main river channel.
REQUIREMENT
A new provision was added prohibiting any new commercial development or clustered residential development along designated scenic rivers during the protection period.
TECHNICAL
The document header was updated to reflect that the bill has been enacted as Act No. 493 and approved by the Governor.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 21, 2026 · House May 19, 2026
How they voted
35–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 40
Apr 21, 2026
D
Democratic12
83% 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
Amendments
1
May 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 13, 2026
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (12-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bob Owen
RRepublican
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