SR 144 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

WATER/WATERWAYS: Establishes the Upper Pontchartrain Basin Task Force, provides for an assessment of the basin, and requests a suspension of approving certain permits.

This resolution establishes the Upper Pontchartrain Basin Task Force to oversee a comprehensive scientific study of the Upper Pontchartrain Basin, which includes Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and surrounding wetlands. The task force will be composed of state legislators, agency heads, local parish representatives, and experts from environmental organizations to evaluate the cumulative environmental impacts of industrial activities in the region. Pending the completion of this assessment, the bill requests that the governor and state agencies temporarily suspend permits for certain industrial projects in the basin. The task force is required to submit its findings and recommendations on how to protect the area's ecological integrity and long-term sustainability by March 1, 2029.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced May 21, 2026 Last action May 28, 2026

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What changed between versions

SR144 Original → SR144 Enrolled · 4 edits · May 28, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an original draft to an enrolled version, which standardized the formatting and header information. Substantively, the enrolled version expanded the task force membership to include representatives from six additional parishes and added a specific request for the Water Institute to collaborate with federal agencies and universities. It also clarified that the assessment must examine cumulative industrial impacts and specific ecological thresholds.

Scope change

The scope of the task force was broadened to include representatives from Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, St. Charles, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa parishes, and the assessment scope was expanded to require collaboration with federal and academic partners.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Water Institute to collaborate with federal agencies, state departments, and universities like Southeastern Louisiana University and LSU in conducting the assessment.

Added specific mandates for the assessment to examine cumulative industrial impacts, hydrological thresholds, and risks to fisheries and wetlands.

ELIGIBILITY

Added representatives from St. Charles, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa parishes to the task force membership list.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document header to reflect the 'Enrolled' status and standardized the resolution title and description.

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1 primary · 0 co-sponsors