Read the full stored bill text
HLS 26RS-471 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 496
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK
ENERGY/OIL & GAS WELLS: Provides for the operation of saltwater disposal wells in
the parishes of Bossier, Caddo, and Webster
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 30:4(C)(16)(d), relative to disposal wells; to provide for saltwater disposal
3 wells in Bossier, Caddo, and Webster Parishes; to provide for injection pressure
4 limits for onsite and community saltwater disposal wells; to establish a process for
5 saltwater disposal well permit modification; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 30:4(C)(16)(d) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §4. Jurisdiction, duties, and powers of the secretary; rules and regulations
9 * * *
10 C. The secretary has authority to make, after notice and hearings as provided
11 in this Chapter, any reasonable rules, regulations, and orders that are necessary from
12 time to time in the proper administration and enforcement of this Chapter, including
13 rules, regulations, or orders for the following purposes:
14 * * *
15 (16)
16 * * *
17 (d)(i) No rule, regulation, order, or permit issued pursuant to the authority
18 granted by this Paragraph shall limit the maximum surface injection pressure for
19 onsite or community saltwater disposal wells in the parishes of Bossier, Caddo, and
20 Webster to an amount less than the following:
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-471 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 496
1 (aa) One half pound per vertical foot between the surface and the injection
2 point for any well that is deeper than one thousand two hundred feet and injects less
3 than three thousand barrels of fluid per day.
4 (bb) One quarter pound per vertical foot between the surface and the
5 injection point for any well that is deeper than one thousand two hundred feet and
6 injects three thousand barrels or more of fluid per day.
7 (cc) One quarter pound per vertical foot between the surface and the
8 injection point for any well that is one thousand two hundred feet deep or less.
9 (ii) Operators with existing permits that limit the maximum surface injection
10 pressure to an amount less than the minimums provided in this Subparagraph may
11 submit a request to the department for modification of the permit in compliance with
12 this Subparagraph.
13 (iii) The provisions of this Subparagraph shall not apply to commercial
14 disposal wells.
15 * * *
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 496 Original 2026 Regular Session McCormick
Abstract: Prohibits the secretary of the Dept. of Conservation and Energy from limiting the
surface injection pressure for onsite saltwater disposal wells in Bossier, Caddo, and
Webster Parishes to less than 0.5 lbs. per foot or 0.25 lbs. per foot depending on the
depth and injection volume of the well.
Present law authorizes the secretary of the Dept. of Conservation and Energy to regulate
disposal wells, including saltwater disposal wells.
Proposed law prohibits the secretary from limiting any onsite or community saltwater
disposal wells in the parishes of Bossier, Caddo, and Webster to a surface injection pressure
less than:
(1) 0.5 lbs. per vertical foot for wells deeper than 1,200 feet that inject less than 3,000
barrels per day.
(2) 0.25 lbs. per vertical foot for wells deeper than 1,200 feet that inject 3,000 barrels or
more per day.
(2) 0.25 lbs. per vertical foot for wells up to 1,200 feet deep.
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-471 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 496
Proposed law authorizes onsite saltwater disposal well operators with an existing permit that
limits the injection pressure to an amount less than those provided by proposed law to apply
to the dept. to have their permits modified to comply with proposed law.
Proposed law specifies that proposed law does not apply to commercial saltwater disposal
wells.
(Adds R.S. 30:4(C)(16)(d))
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.