ENERGY: Requires a public hearing in the parish where a Class VI well is proposed

HLS 26RS-427 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 509
BY REPRESENTATIVE OWEN
ENERGY: Requires a public hearing in the parish where a Class VI well is proposed
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 30:1105(E), relative to Class VI permits; to require a hearing to be held to
3 receive public comments in every parish in which a Class VI injection well permit
4 is proposed; to require the department to provide notice of draft permits and public
5 hearings; to require a public comment period of at least thirty days after public
6 notice; and to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 30:1105(E) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §1105. Hearings; notice; public records
10 * * *
11 E. In every parish in which an application for a Class VI permit has been
12 filed, a public hearing to receive comments from the public shall be required prior
13 to the issuance of a permit. The department shall provide public notice of any draft
14 permit and of the hearing to be held pursuant to this Subsection. The department
15 shall also provide a public comment period of at least thirty days following such
16 notice.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-427 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 509
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 509 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Owen
Abstract: Requires a hearing to receive public comments in every parish in which a Class
VI injection well permit is proposed. Further requires public notice of draft permits
and local public hearings and a public comment period on the draft permit that lasts
at least 30 days following the notice.
Present law for public hearings to be conducted pursuant to the provisions of present law
(R.S. 30:6) and notice to be provided to the governing authority of any affected parish in
which a carbon sequestration project is proposed.
Present law further provides that the secretary hold hearings when requested in writing and
to give substantial consideration to comments received from the local government when
taking action in any matter requiring a public comment period or public hearing.
Proposed law retains present law and adds a requirement for a hearing to be held to receive
public comments in parishes in which Class VI permit applications have been filed prior to
issuance of a permit.
Proposed law further requires that the department provide public notice of the issuance of
any draft permit and public notice of the hearing to receive public comments required by
proposed law.
Proposed law requires the department to provide a public comment period of at least 30 days
following the public notice required by proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 30:1105(E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Remove local public hearing requirements for Class V wells related to carbon
dioxide sequestration projects.
2. Remove requirement that the public hearing required by proposed law be held
during the public comment period.
3. Remove the prohibition against holding the local public hearing required by
proposed law from December 20th to January 1st.
4. Add requirements that the department provide public notice of draft permits and
local public hearings required by proposed law.
5. Add requirement that the department provide a public comment period of at least
thirty days following the public notice required by proposed law.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.