Read the full stored bill text
HLS 26RS-628 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 566
BY REPRESENTATIVE OWEN
APPROPRIATIONS: Prohibits use of state funds in support of net-zero greenhouse gas
emissions policies
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 39:77.1, relative to state funding; to prohibit obligation or expenditure of state
3 funds for programs, initiatives, or activities tied to certain goals; to provide for
4 definitions; to provide for exceptions; to provide for enforcement; to provide for
5 applicability and termination; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for
6 related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 39:77.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §77.1. Prohibition on use of state funds for certain climate initiatives
10 A. For the purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the
11 following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
12 (1) "Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals" means any objective aimed
13 at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by a particular date or within a
14 particular timeframe, as outlined in the Climate Initiatives Task Force's February
15 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, including but not limited to:
16 (a) Alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement, Intergovernmental Panel
17 on Climate Change guidelines, or other international climate mandates.
18 (b) Promotion of renewable energy transitions, electric vehicle incentives,
19 equity-focused policies, federal tax credits for emissions reductions, or regulatory
Page 1 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-628 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 566
1 expansions on methane or other elements identified in the Plan as contributing to
2 net-zero emissions.
3 (c) Any policies or actions that promote a reduction in greenhouse gas
4 emissions to net zero, such as those involving clean energy transitions, methane
5 management, environment changes, or related economic strategies.
6 (2) "State funds" means any monies appropriated by the state, except where
7 federal law mandates expenditure without state discretion.
8 B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no state agency,
9 department, board, commission, or other state entity shall allocate, expend, or
10 otherwise obligate any state funds for any program, initiative, activity, project, or
11 expenditure that is directly tied to or supports the achievement of net-zero
12 greenhouse gas emissions goals.
13 C. This Section shall not apply to:
14 (1) Expenditures required to comply with federal laws, regulations, or court
15 orders that predate the effective date of this Act and are not discretionary.
16 (2) Obligations under contracts or agreements entered into prior to the
17 effective date of this Act.
18 (3) Expenditures related to incentives for reduction of pollutants or harmful
19 chemicals as identified by the Department of Environmental Quality.
20 (4) Emergency expenditures necessary for public health, safety, or disaster
21 response, provided they are not primarily aimed at achieving net-zero goals.
22 D.(1) Any citizen with knowledge of an alleged violation of this Section may
23 institute a civil action against the public entity to enjoin the violation. Any such
24 action shall be filed in the district court of the judicial district in which the state
25 capitol is located. The information upon which the action is based shall be obtained
26 independently and shall not be based upon any of the following:
27 (a) A disclosure of allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or
28 administrative hearing or as the result of disclosure of a governmental audit report,
Page 2 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-628 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 566
1 investigation, or hearing, unless the citizen bringing the action has independent
2 knowledge of the alleged violation.
3 (b) A disclosure through the news media, unless the citizen bringing the
4 action has independent knowledge of the alleged violation.
5 (2) In addition to an order enjoining violation of this Section, the court shall
6 award to a successful principal plaintiff costs and reasonable attorney fees. The
7 court shall also award to any prevailing defendant costs and reasonable attorney fees.
8 However, if a public entity depends upon the written opinion of the attorney general
9 that the action taken by the public entity is in compliance with the provisions of this
10 Section, the public entity shall not be liable for the costs and attorney fees of the
11 adverse party.
12 E. This Section shall apply to state funds appropriated for fiscal years
13 beginning on or after July 1, 2026, and shall become null and void on January 1,
14 2031.
15 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
16 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
17 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
18 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
19 effective on the day following such approval.
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 566 Original 2026 Regular Session Owen
Abstract: Prohibits obligation or expenditure of state funds for programs, initiatives, or
activities tied to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals.
Proposed law prohibits the allocation, expenditure, or obligation of state funds by a state
entity (including agencies, departments, boards, commissions, etc.) for any program, project,
or activity that is directly tied to or supports the achievement of net-zero greenhouse gas
emissions goals. Defines "net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals" to mean objectives
aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse has emissions by a particular date or within a
particular timeframe, as outlined in the Climate Initiatives Task Force's February 2022 La.
Climate Action Plan. Further defines "state funds" to mean any monies appropriated by the
Page 3 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-628 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 566
state, except where federal law mandates expenditure for such purposes without state
discretion.
Proposed law provides the following exceptions:
(1) Compliance with federal laws, regulations, or court orders that predate proposed law
and are not discretionary.
(2) Obligations under contracts or agreements entered into prior to the effective date of
proposed law.
(3) Expenditures related to certain incentives for reduction of pollutants or harmful
chemicals.
(4) Emergency expenditures necessary for public health, safety, or disaster response.
Proposed law authorizes a citizen or entity with knowledge of a violation of proposed law
to institute a civil action against the public entity to enjoin any violation. Provides
restrictions on the types of information upon which the citizen or entity may rely for their
suit. Authorizes the court to award costs and reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing party.
Applies to state funds appropriated for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.
Provisions of proposed law will sunset on Jan. 1, 2031.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 39:77.1)
Page 4 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.