House Bill No. 494, introduced by Representative Domangue, amends existing laws regarding common carriers of petroleum pipelines in Louisiana. The bill clarifies the definitions of "common carrier" and "pipe line," specifying that these terms now include only those transportation activities and tank facilities that are necessary or integral to the pipeline transportation function. It also explicitly excludes certain terminal facilities and truck unloading facilities from the definition of "pipe line." The Louisiana Public Service Commission is tasked with regulating rates and regulations for common carriers, but the bill narrows this responsibility to only those tank facilities that are integral to the pipeline function, thereby excluding terminal and unloading facilities.

Additionally, the bill provides for both prospective and retroactive application of its provisions, with a specific exception for the ongoing case of Cantium, LLC v. Rosefield Fourchon Operating, LLC, which will not be affected by the new regulations. The amendments aim to streamline the regulatory framework for petroleum transportation while ensuring that only relevant facilities are subject to oversight by the Public Service Commission.

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