House Bill No. 548, introduced by Representative LaCombe, aims to amend existing laws regarding the distribution of revenue generated from carbon dioxide sequestration on state-owned lands and water bottoms. The bill modifies R.S. 30:149 and R.S. 209.2 to specify that revenues collected from carbon dioxide storage agreements will be forwarded to the state treasurer and allocated as follows: 30% to the governing authority of the parish where the property is located, with the remainder directed to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Fund. The bill also establishes that these provisions apply specifically to state-owned properties and not to local governmental entities, while ensuring that existing statutory and constitutional dedications prior to August 1, 2025, remain unaffected.

Additionally, the bill enacts R.S. 30:149.1, which further clarifies the distribution of funds collected by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission from carbon dioxide sequestration activities. It emphasizes that all revenue from such activities will be forwarded to the state treasurer, with 30% allocated to the relevant parish governing authority and the remaining funds deposited into the Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Fund. This legislative change is intended to enhance local funding and support conservation efforts while maintaining compliance with existing donation agreements related to wildlife management areas and public hunting grounds.

Statutes affected:
HB548 Original: 30:149(B), 30:2(B)