Senate Bill No. SLS 26RS-576, introduced by Senator Hensgens, seeks to amend and reenact various provisions related to the Department of Conservation and Energy in Louisiana. The bill includes technical corrections to the department's structure, outlines the powers and duties of the secretary, and establishes the office of state resources. Key provisions grant the secretary authority to implement regulations for uniform meters on pipelines to prevent waste and illegal transportation of oil and gas. The bill also introduces new definitions and repeals outdated sections, such as R.S. 30:4(O)(3), 85, and 101.6, while replacing references to the "office of conservation" with "department" throughout.

Additionally, the bill modifies the minimum royalty requirements for leases, allowing the State Mineral and Energy Board to set royalties at rates lower than one-eighth but greater than one-sixteenth based on market conditions. It also updates the title of the commissioner of conservation to the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy and clarifies that leases can be for the development of minerals, oil, gas, or alternative energy sources. The legislation includes provisions for the application and bidding process for leases, authorizes the board to lease land from other agencies, and stipulates that funds from royalty field audit collections will be deposited into the Mineral and Energy Operation Fund. The bill is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB379 Original: 30:3(7), 30:4(C)(14), 30:5(C)(1), 30:1(A)(1), 30:1(A), 30:23(D)(2), 30:29(A), 30:73(1), 30:74(A)(3), 30:3(B), 30:2(A), 30:149(B), 30:150(B)(4), 30:209(2), 30:2(B), 30:3(A), 30:917(F), 30:1110(C)(1), 36:357(A), 36:358(B), 30:4(O)(3)
SB379 Engrossed: 36:357(A), 36:358(B), 30:4(O)(3)
SB379 Reengrossed: 36:358(B), 30:4(O)(3)