Senate Bill No. by Senator Kleinpeter amends R.S. 31:149(I) to address the prescription of mineral rights in relation to land acquisitions by certain authorities for economic development projects. The bill stipulates that when land is acquired by an "acquiring authority"—which includes government entities and nonprofit organizations—through various means such as sale or donation, and a mineral right subject to nonuse prescription is reserved, the prescription will not run against that right regardless of whether the title remains with the acquiring authority or is transferred to another party.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous stipulation that the prescription of nonuse lasted for a period of twenty years from the date of acquisition. It also establishes that the certification by the secretary of Louisiana Economic Development (LED) will serve as a determination that the acquisition serves a public purpose for economic development. This change is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB492 Original: 31:149(I)