Environment

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 855: FISHING/NETS: Establishes depth requirements for the commercial use of purse seines

HB 855 requires commercial fishing vessels using purse seines in Louisiana's saltwater areas to operate only in waters with a minimum depth of 22 feet. This rule directly affects commercial fishermen who use purse seines for catching fish like menhaden or tuna in coastal waters. The key provision amends Louisiana law to prohibit purse seine use in shallower waters, aiming to protect marine habitats or species in shallow zones. The bill does not specify enforcement details or exemptions beyond the depth requirement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates minimum 22ft depth for purse seines to protect marine habitats in shallow zones, directly advancing conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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died · Louisiana · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 252: FUNDS/FUNDING: Dedicates severance tax revenue from oil and gas produced from certain stripper wells in the Caddo Pine Island Field to the Oilfield Site Restoration Fund and provides for the use of those monies (OR -$1,708,285 GF RV See Note)

HB 252 redirects 100% of severance tax revenue from small-volume oil and gas wells (known as "stripper wells") in Louisiana's Caddo Pine Island Field to the Oilfield Site Restoration Fund, instead of depositing it into the state general fund. This dedicated funding stream will specifically support oilfield site restoration and plugging orphan wells within the Caddo Pine Island Field. The bill modifies existing law to ensure these tax revenues - collected from producers in that specific field - are exclusively used for cleanup and restoration work there. It does not create new taxes or fees but changes the allocation of existing revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects severance tax revenue to dedicated fund for oilfield restoration, explicitly funding a specific program within fiscal management per bill's purpose.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects oil/gas severance taxes to restore sites and plug orphan wells, reducing environmental hazards from abandoned oilfields.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

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signed · Louisiana · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 189: ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: Prohibits the intentional release or dispersion, by burning of fuel, of chemicals into the environment of this state with the express purpose of affecting temperature. (8/1/26)

SB 189 prohibits intentionally releasing chemicals into Louisiana's atmosphere - through methods like burning fuel - to directly affect temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight. It applies to anyone conducting such releases within the state for these specific purposes. The bill explicitly excludes fire retardants or agricultural applications (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) when used below 1,000 feet above ground. The bill is currently prefiled for the 2026 legislative session and has not yet been debated or voted on.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits intentional climate-altering chemical releases, preventing environmental harm from weather manipulation. Explicitly protects atmosphere from temperature/weather interference.95% confidence

signed · Louisiana · House May 15, 2026

HB 858: WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Establishes a public records exemption for Global Positioning System data collected on wildlife and aquatic life

HB 858 exempts GPS location data collected by Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on individual wildlife and aquatic animals from public records disclosure. The bill amends state law to explicitly exclude this specific data from being released under public records requests. This directly affects the department's ability to share such data with the public, while protecting the precise locations of individual animals from potential misuse. The key provision prevents the release of GPS information that could reveal where specific animals are located.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts GPS wildlife data from public disclosure to prevent misuse (e.g., poaching), directly protecting species and habitats, thus supporting conservation efforts.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts GPS wildlife tracking data from public disclosure, protecting location privacy from misuse per bill's intent to prevent potential harm to animals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 706: ENERGY/OIL & GAS WELLS: Provides for the operation of commercial saltwater disposal wells (OR +$330,397 SD EX See Note)

HB 706 sets rules for commercial oil and gas saltwater disposal wells in Louisiana. It establishes a default maximum injection pressure limit (based on fracture gradient data) and creates a process for operators to apply for higher limits by proving they won’t cause fractures through geological barriers, meeting casing standards, and monitoring drinking water sources. Operators must submit verified field data, engineer attestations, and seismic monitoring plans to the department, which must respond within 60 days. Violating the pressure limits or conditions incurs penalties under existing law. The bill directly affects oil and gas companies operating these wells, focusing on safety and regulatory clarity for wastewater disposal.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires operators to prove no fractures through geological barriers, meet casing standards, and monitor drinking water sources to prevent groundwater contamination from saltwater disposal wells.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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passed · Louisiana · House May 6, 2026

HB 599: WATER/RESOURCES: Prohibits the sale of Louisiana running surface water outside of the state

HB 599 prohibits the sale of Louisiana's running surface water to entities outside the state. It directly affects businesses or entities seeking to purchase Louisiana water for use beyond Louisiana's borders. The bill enacts a new provision (R.S. 30:961(L)) banning such sales and repeals a prior section (R.S. 30:961(I)) that allowed the state secretary to approve cooperative agreements for out-of-state water withdrawals. This creates a clear policy change preventing the export of state-owned surface water for use outside Louisiana.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits export of Louisiana's surface water, conserving natural resources within state per explicit language (R.S. 30:961(L))95% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 879: ENERGY: Requires carbon dioxide storage facility operators pay twenty-five percent of their gross tax credit amount to the landowners of the area of operations

HB 879 requires carbon dioxide storage facility operators in Louisiana to pay 25% of their federal tax credits (earned under Section 45Q of the U.S. tax code) to landowners whose property hosts the storage operations. Payments must be distributed based on each landowner’s proportion of the total surface acreage contributed to the facility. This directly affects landowners who lease their land for carbon storage projects and operators managing these facilities. The bill mandates this allocation without creating new tax incentives, focusing solely on redirecting existing federal credits to landowners.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs 25% of carbon capture tax credits (Section 45Q) to landowners, incentivizing CO2 storage projects that reduce emissions and align with environmental protection goals.90% confidence

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 62: CONSERVATION: Provides relative to construction of pipelines on certain water bodies. (8/1/26) (OR -$1,142,000 GF RV See Note)

SB 62 prohibits the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines within the boundaries of Lake Maurepas and Lake Ponchartrain in Louisiana. The bill explicitly bans pipelines built "for the purpose, in whole or in part, of transporting carbon dioxide" in these two water bodies. This directly affects any entity seeking to build such pipelines in these specific lakes. The bill is currently prefiled and under consideration but has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBans CO2 pipelines (carbon capture infrastructure), restricting fossil fuel energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans CO2 pipelines in protected lakes, preventing potential pollution and ecosystem disruption in sensitive water bodies per bill's explicit prohibition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 63: WILD REFUGES/PRESERVES: Prohibits construction of pipelines on certain wildlife management areas. (8/1/26) (OR -$3,292,850 SD RV See Note)

SB 63 prohibits the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines within three specific Louisiana wildlife management areas: Maurepas Swamp, Joyce, and Manchac. The bill directly affects developers or companies seeking to build such pipelines in these protected zones. It creates a legal barrier by explicitly banning pipeline construction for carbon dioxide transport in these locations, regardless of other applicable laws. The measure aims to protect these ecologically sensitive areas from potential pipeline-related disruptions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits CO2 pipelines in protected wildlife areas, directly preventing ecological harm and conserving natural resources per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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