Environment

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 1153: ENVIRONMENT/ENFORCEMENT: Authorizes parishes and municipalities to declare bans on burning

This bill authorizes Louisiana parishes and municipalities to issue temporary bans on outdoor burning when environmental conditions create a high risk of wildfires. Local governments can enforce these bans through ordinances, resolutions, or emergency proclamations and must provide public notice via websites, social media, and emergency alert systems. The law exempts agricultural burning, prescribed burns, and contained cooking or recreational fires from restrictions. Violations can result in civil fines ranging from $500 to $2,500, and offenders who cause significant property damage or harm to critical infrastructure face criminal penalties including imprisonment and restitution for fire suppression costs. Fire departments and municipal code enforcement officers are authorized to enforce these burn bans alongside traditional law enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes bans on outdoor burning to reduce wildfire risk and air pollution, directly protecting environmental quality and public safety.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SB 367: WATER MANAGEMENT: Creates the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Watershed Conservation Fund for restoring lands/watersheds damaged by mining, funded by mining severance taxes, directly advancing environmental conservation and restoration efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 69: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES: To urge and request the American Sugarcane League, LSU AgCenter, and Southern University Agricultural Center, in collaboration with agricultural manufacturers, to continue work on furthering technology and research into equipment to reduce the dependency of burning sugarcane.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that asks the American Sugarcane League, LSU AgCenter, and Southern University Agricultural Center to keep researching new equipment that reduces the need to burn sugarcane fields after harvest. The request specifically targets these organizations and agricultural manufacturers to develop technology that addresses air quality and soil health concerns while maintaining efficient farming practices. As a procedural measure, the resolution does not create new laws or regulations but instead formally encourages ongoing collaborative work on this specific agricultural issue.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill urges research to reduce sugarcane burning, improving air quality and soil health, which aligns with advancing clean energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill urges research to reduce sugarcane burning, directly addressing air quality and pollution concerns.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly urges and requests continued work on technology and research to reduce sugarcane burning dependency.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HCR 85: ENVIRONMENT/LITTERING: Creates a task force on illegal dumping

This bill establishes a task force to investigate and address illegal dumping in Louisiana. The primary mechanism involves appointing members to this group to study the problem and develop recommendations for prevention and cleanup. The text also includes specific amendments to ensure the New Orleans mayor and governor are included in the task force's composition. By creating this committee, the legislation aims to bring focused attention to littering issues without mandating immediate new laws or penalties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates a task force to investigate illegal dumping and develop cleanup recommendations, directly addressing pollution control and environmental protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 54: CONGRESS: Memorializes Congress to authorize and fully fund the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act.

This bill proposes to memorialize Congress to authorize and fully fund the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act. It includes minor text corrections to ensure grammatical accuracy and consistent spelling within the document. The measure is currently in the legislative process, having been adopted by the Senate and sent to the House for further consideration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks to fully fund the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act, directly advancing government spending and fiscal allocation for a public program.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill seeks to authorize and fully fund the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act, which directly supports the conservation of natural resources and aquatic ecosystems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1248: WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Permits the possession of white-tailed deer by wildlife rehabilitators

This Louisiana bill allows licensed wildlife rehabilitators to legally possess and care for white-tailed deer under specific health and containment rules. It establishes strict protocols for Chronic Wasting Disease, requiring that deer originating from infected zones be released only within the same area and mandating euthanasia if symptoms appear. Additionally, the law prohibits rehabilitating deer that show signs of disease, human habituation, or originate from outside the state. The legislation also sets minimum enclosure sizes and construction standards while requiring advance notice before releasing animals without any identifying tags.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enforces strict disease containment protocols for wildlife rehabilitation, preventing CWD spread and protecting natural resources through regulated possession and care.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 621: ENERGY/ALTERNATE: Requires recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure

HB 621 requires renewable energy facility owners in Louisiana to include recycling plans for decommissioned equipment (like solar panels or wind turbine parts) as part of their facility closure process. The bill mandates that owners pay all costs for decommissioning and recycling, with the Department of Environmental Quality determining what recycling is "practicable." It directly affects renewable energy providers operating in Louisiana, shifting financial responsibility for end-of-life infrastructure management from taxpayers to the industry. The bill does not create new funding or alter existing environmental standards, focusing solely on requiring recycling as a standard part of decommissioning.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates recycling of decommissioned renewable infrastructure (solar/wind), ensuring sustainable end-of-life management for renewables and shifting financial responsibility to owners.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates recycling of renewable energy infrastructure at decommissioning, shifting costs to owners to prevent landfill waste and pollution, directly protecting environment through responsible end-of-life management.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Louisiana · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 111: FISH/FISHING: Provides for black bass and crappie bag and size limits. (8/1/26)

SB 111 sets daily catch limits and minimum size requirements for recreational fishing of black bass and crappie in a defined area of south-central Louisiana. It prohibits taking more than five black bass (each at least 14 inches long) or 25 crappie (each at least 8 inches long) in a single day within specified boundaries south of US 190, east of the levee, and north of US 90. The bill directly affects recreational anglers fishing in that geographic region and prohibits possessing finfish filets. These changes would become effective August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes catch/size limits to conserve black bass and crappie populations, directly protecting natural resources through sustainable fishing management in specified waters.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Louisiana · House May 29, 2026

HB 417: FUNDS/FUNDING: Increases the maximum balance of the Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Fund (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

HB 417 increases the maximum balance of Louisiana's Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Fund from a fixed $6.8 million to an amount adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) starting January 1, 2027. This change affects how the state manages funds generated from hazardous waste cleanup penalties, settlements, and fees collected under environmental laws. The bill requires the state treasurer to redirect excess funds above the new, inflation-adjusted cap into the Environmental Trust Fund, rather than the previous fixed limit. The adjustment mechanism ensures the fund's capacity grows with inflation, avoiding future budget constraints from rising costs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts fund cap via CPI for fiscal responsibility, redirects excess to Environmental Trust Fund85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases hazardous waste cleanup funding via CPI-adjusted cap and redirects excess to Environmental Trust Fund, strengthening environmental protection efforts.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Louisiana · House May 28, 2026

HCR 97: CURRICULA: Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, study the feasibility of incorporating age- and grade-appropriate hunting education, conservation education, and shooting sports courses into curricula for public school students in grades five through twelve

This concurrent resolution asks the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to study whether it is possible to add hunting, conservation, and shooting sports classes to public school curricula for students in grades five through twelve. The study, which must be completed by March 1, 2027, will explore how these courses could fit into existing physical education programs or be offered as electives, covering topics like firearm safety, wildlife identification, and outdoor survival skills. The bill also considers whether completing such a course could lead to official Hunter Education Certification for students. Ultimately, the resolution directs the state education board and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to investigate this idea and report their findings to the state legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes adding new educational courses on hunting and conservation to public school curricula, expanding student programs and educational access.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes conservation education and hunting to foster appreciation for wildlife and natural resources.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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