House Bill No. 638, introduced by Representative Riser, seeks to amend Louisiana's laws on carbon dioxide sequestration with a focus on protecting mineral servitude ownership. The bill establishes a public policy that prioritizes geologic storage of carbon dioxide while safeguarding the rights of mineral servitude owners. Key changes include the removal of references to the withdrawal of sequestered carbon dioxide, the introduction of consent and compensation rights for mineral servitude owners regarding unitization, and the requirement for judicial review of compensation and public purpose related to unitization and expropriation. The bill also clarifies the duties of the commissioner of conservation and emphasizes the need for consent from both surface and mineral owners when their ownership is not unified.

Additionally, the bill modifies the Louisiana Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide Act to prioritize mineral exploration and interests over CO2 sequestration. It introduces a new definition of "geologic storage," which excludes short-term storage, and adjusts the commissioner of conservation's jurisdiction to focus on preventing damage to mineral rights rather than overseeing CO2 withdrawal. The legislation ensures that mineral servitude owners are compensated for any rights taken or damaged due to expropriation or unitization, with specific provisions for Caldwell Parish. It also clarifies notification requirements for permit applications and enhances transparency by repealing certain provisions related to confidential business records. Overall, the bill aims to balance the interests of mineral rights holders with the state's objectives for CO2 storage and environmental protection.

Statutes affected:
HB632 Original: 30:1102(A)(2), 30:1103(7), 30:1104(A)(3), 30:2(B), 30:1106(A), 30:1107(D), 30:1108(B)(3), 30:1109(S, 30:1110(C)(1), 30:1115(A), 30:1103(4), 30:1104(F), 30:2(H)
HB632 Engrossed: 30:1102(A)(2), 30:1103(7), 30:1104(A)(3), 30:2(B), 30:1106(A), 30:1107(D), 30:1108(B)(3), 30:1109(S, 30:1110(C)(1), 30:1115(A), 30:1103(4), 30:1104(F), 30:2(H)