ENERGY: Prohibits carbon dioxide sequestration in St. Helena Parish

Energy

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Robert Carter
Last action: 2026-05-19
Official status: Involuntarily deferred in House Natural Resources - Considered 5/19/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on the environmental impacts or reasons behind the ban.

Ban on Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in St. Helena Parish

This bill stops the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy from allowing any activities related to carbon dioxide sequestration in St. Helena Parish.

What This Bill Does

Adds a new rule that prohibits the permitting of any activity related to carbon dioxide sequestration within St. Helena Parish.

Who It Names or Affects

The secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy
Companies or individuals planning to do carbon dioxide sequestration in St. Helena Parish

Terms To Know

Carbon Dioxide Sequestration: A process where carbon dioxide is captured from the air and stored underground.
Secretary of Conservation and Energy: The person in charge of regulating energy-related activities, including carbon dioxide sequestration.

Limits and Unknowns

It does not specify what will happen to existing projects that are already approved.
Does not explain the reasons behind this ban or its environmental impacts.
This bill has been involuntarily deferred in committee and may not become a law.

Bill History

2026-05-19 H
Involuntarily deferred in committee.
2026-03-24 H
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
2026-03-23 H
Read by title. Lies over under the rules.
2026-02-27 H
First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.
2026-02-26 H
Prefiled. To be introduced at a later date.

Official Summary Text

ENERGY: Prohibits carbon dioxide sequestration in St. Helena Parish

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HLS 26RS-700 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 494
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROBBY CARTER
ENERGY: Prohibits carbon dioxide sequestration in St. Helena Parish
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 30:1104(F), relative to carbon dioxide sequestration in St. Helena Parish; to
3 prohibit the permitting of carbon dioxide sequestration activities in St. Helena
4 Parish; and to provide for related matters.
5 Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published
6 as provided by Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution of
7 Louisiana.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 30:1104(F) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 §1104. Duties and powers of the secretary; rules and regulations; permits
11 * * *
12 F. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the secretary shall
13 not permit any activity related to carbon dioxide sequestration within St. Helena
14 Parish.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 494 Original 2026 Regular Session Robby Carter
Abstract: Prohibits the permitting of activities related to carbon dioxide sequestration in
St. Helena Parish.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-700 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 494
Present law authorizes the secretary of the Dept. of Conservation and Energy to regulate
activity related to carbon dioxide sequestration.
Proposed law creates an exception to the secretary's authority under present law by
prohibiting the secretary from permitting any activity related to carbon dioxide sequestration
within St. Helena Parish.
(Adds R.S. 30:1104(F))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.