House Bill No. [insert bill number] enacts the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, which significantly alters the legal framework surrounding the transportation and sequestration of carbon dioxide in the state. The bill prohibits expropriation by private entities for the purpose of transporting carbon dioxide by pipeline or for geologic storage, effectively removing the authority for such actions that were previously granted under existing law. Additionally, the bill repeals provisions that allowed the Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity related to carbon dioxide pipelines and storage facilities, as well as the authority to order unit operation for carbon dioxide sequestration.

The bill also amends existing laws to clarify the state's responsibilities regarding carbon dioxide storage, emphasizing the protection of natural resources and individual rights, while removing the declaration that carbon dioxide is a valuable commodity. The proposed changes aim to enhance landowner protections by eliminating the ability of private entities to expropriate land for carbon dioxide-related projects without consent. The act will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated period for gubernatorial action.

Statutes affected:
HB7 Original: 30:4(C)(17), 30:1102(A), 30:1104(A)(1), 19:2(10)