2014 Louisiana Legislative Introduction

The 2014 Legislative session is an extremely important session for the environmental future of Louisiana. This session will see an abundance of legislation that deals with the damage done to the environment from oil and gas exploration and development. Most notably, the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority- East as well as Plaquemines and Jefferson Parish have filed lawsuits against oil and gas companies in an effort to have the companies remediate and restore areas they have impacted.  Oil and gas companies, through their legislative allies, have responded with legislation that removes the ability of local entities to file lawsuits and force restoration. Though many of the bills seem to deal with legal issues, the impact would result in the continued damage to the environment and loss of local efforts to enforce environmental regulations. LEAN opposes any legislation that undermines environmental responsibility and restoration. 

In other environmental issues of interest, proactive legislation that deals with abandoned oil and gas wells, salt domes and salt dome storage, and water regulations has been introduced this session. Please see a summary of these bills below. 

Opposing:

HB 412 by Rep. Joe Harrison   

Provides with respect to the payment of court costs and attorney fees in certain cases.

HB 617 by Rep. Neil Abramson  

Provides a preemptive period for claims for certain damages.

HB 799 by Rep Stuart Bishop  

Provides relative to the employment of special attorneys or counsel.

HB 854 by Rep Ray Garofalo   

Requires certain documents to be filed with the court before proceeding to trial in certain actions relative to oilfield remediation.

HB 855 by Rep. Cameron Henry  

Provides relative to the enforcement of the coastal management program.

HB 862 by Rep. Joel Robideaux  

Provides relative to the enforcement of the coastal management program.

SB 79 by Sen. Robert Adley 

Provides relative to flood protection authorities.

SB 423 by Sen Bret Allain  

Provides relative to alternative dispute resolution in suits involving oilfield sites and exploration and production sites.

SB 467 by Sen. Robert Adley  

Requires the court to stay proceedings under certain conditions in a lawsuit involving the remediation of oilfield sites and exploration and production sites.

SB 469 by Sen Robert Adley  

Provides relative to the enforcement of the coastal management program.

SB 531 by Sen. Bret Allain  

Provides relative to the authority of certain state and local government entities to bring causes of action arising from or related to certain permits issues in the coastal area.

SB 546 by Sen. Robert Adley  

Provides relative to preemption of civil actions against certain permittees of the state.

SB 547 by Sen Robert Adley  

Provides relative to certain governmental agreements with private parties.

SB 553 by Sen. Robert Adley  

Provides relative to special attorneys for flood protection authorities.

Supporting:

HB 936 by Rep Jack Montoucet  

HB 957 by Rep. Robert Johnson  

Provides relative to plugging and abandoning of disposal wells and injection wells and restoration of such well sites.

SB 209 by Sen. Rick Ward 

Provides for permitting requirements of solution mining injection wells and solution mined caverns.

SB 325 by Sen. Ed Murray 

Provides relative to certain indemnification agreements concerning environmental damage.

HCR 13 by Rep. Karen St. Germain  

Approves the 2014-2015 Atchafalaya Basin Annual Plan. 

We will also be monitoring many bills as to their impacts on our environmental issues. 

The Louisiana Legislators were elected to represent YOU. Please lend your voice to creating a better future for Louisiana. Click below to let your Legislators know your thoughts on any bills this session.

Find your Legislators and contact them here.