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

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1258: WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Provides with respect to seizure of sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife

This bill establishes a new process for handling sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife seized by Louisiana authorities for unlawful possession. It mandates that the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries prioritize releasing healthy animals into the wild or placing injured ones with licensed rehabilitators, zoos, or sanctuaries whenever possible. Euthanasia is strictly limited to situations where no other viable options exist, such as when an animal is suffering from a life-threatening disease or injury, or when release is legally prohibited and no suitable facility is available. The law also requires that any necessary euthanasia follow current American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines to ensure humane treatment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens wildlife conservation by prioritizing rehabilitation and limiting euthanasia, directly protecting natural resources.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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

Track

passed both · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SCR 29: WATER QUALITY: Creates a joint legislative committee to study and make recommendations relative to the water quality of the Atchafalaya Basin.

This bill proposes the creation of a joint legislative committee to study water quality issues within the Atchafalaya Basin. The committee would be tasked with investigating the current state of the water and providing recommendations to the legislature. By establishing this group, the bill aims to focus attention on environmental concerns specific to this region without immediately changing existing laws. The measure is currently being reviewed by state committees and has not yet been enacted into law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a committee to study water quality, indicating intent to address and potentially improve environmental conditions in the Atchafalaya Basin.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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 · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 802: WATER/RESOURCES: Provides with respect to the management of watershed restoration (EN DECREASE GF RV See Note)

HB 802 establishes Louisiana's Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund to support the cleanup and long-term management of lands and watersheds damaged by sand and gravel mining operations, with priority for flood-prone areas. The fund is financed by 100% of sand and gravel severance tax revenues (after constitutional allocations) plus donations, and it can only provide grants to legally created watershed entities that manage flood risks and have local representation. These eligible groups must maintain approved master plans, have floodplain management authority, and include experts in water resources. The fund requires annual reports to natural resources committees detailing how money is spent. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs 100% of sand/gravel severance tax revenues to fund watershed restoration, explicitly using existing tax revenue for environmental programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates a dedicated fund for watershed restoration and cleanup of mining-damaged lands, prioritizing flood-prone areas and conservation management per its title and summary.95% 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 872: FISHING/COMMERCIAL: Requires all commercial menhaden reduction fishery vessels to use an AIS system

HB 872 requires all commercial vessels engaged in menhaden reduction fishing (including carrier vessels, steamers, and purse boats) to install and use an automatic identification system (AIS). The AIS is a tracking system that automatically shares a vessel's location, speed, and heading with other ships, shore stations, and satellites. This bill directly affects commercial fishing operations harvesting menhaden for processing into products like fish meal or oil. The law mandates this technology to improve vessel tracking and safety in Louisiana waters, with no exemptions specified for the covered vessel types.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAIS tracking enhances vessel monitoring to prevent overfishing and protect menhaden populations, supporting marine conservation efforts.85% 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