House Bill No. 494, introduced by Representative Domangue, amends existing Louisiana law regarding common carriers of petroleum pipelines. The bill clarifies the definitions of "common carrier" and "pipe line," specifying that the transportation of petroleum and associated tank facilities must be necessary or integral to the pipeline transportation function. It also excludes certain terminal facilities, such as smaller pipes, metering facilities, storage tanks, and truck unloading facilities from the definition of "pipe line." This change aims to refine the regulatory framework governing petroleum transportation and ensure that only relevant facilities are subject to regulation.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Louisiana Public Service Commission regulate only those tank facilities that are integral to the pipeline transportation function, thereby excluding terminal and unloading facilities from its oversight. The legislation allows for both prospective and retroactive application, ensuring that the new definitions and regulations can be applied to past and future cases. Overall, this bill seeks to streamline the regulatory process for petroleum transportation while clarifying the roles and responsibilities of common carriers and the Public Service Commission.

Statutes affected:
HB494 Original: 45:251(1)