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ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 987
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:1492 and R.S. 36:358(E)(2) and (G), relative to the Louisiana
3 State University Energy Institute; to provide for the unification of energy-related
4 programs by moving the Louisiana Geological Survey under the Louisiana State
5 University Energy Institute; to provide for the responsibilities of the Louisiana
6 Geological Survey; to provide an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 17:1492 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
9 §1492. Louisiana Geological Survey
10 A. The Louisiana Geological Survey shall be located within the Energy
11 Institute at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College and
12 shall be a part of that institution. The Louisiana Geological Survey shall maintain
13 current surface and subsurface geological surveys of the entire state and shall work
14 in cooperation with other state entities and other political subdivisions as appropriate
15 and required by law.
16 B. The Louisiana Geological Survey shall be responsible for the following:
17 (1) Maintaining current surface and subsurface geological surveys of the
18 entire state.
19 (2) Coordinating with the office of technology services for the operation and
20 maintenance of information technology provided for in R.S. 39:15.3 for the storage,
21 management, and modeling of surface and subsurface geological and geographic
22 information system data.
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1 (3) Coordinating with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regarding
2 the storage and maintenance of surveys conducted pursuant to R.S. 56:30.4 and 30.5.
3 (4) Coordinating with the Department of Conservation and Energy and
4 specifically the offices of state resources, permitting and compliance, and energy
5 regarding the storage and maintenance of any surveys or other geological data within
6 the jurisdiction of the department pursuant to R.S. 30:4 et seq.
7 C. The Energy Institute shall coordinate with and provide periodic updates
8 to the Natural Resources Commission regarding the storage and maintenance of the
9 surveys.
10 D. Cooperative endeavor agreements may be used to implement this Section.
11 Section 2. R.S. 36:358(E)(2) and (G) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as
12 follows:
13 §358. Offices; purposes and functions
14 * * *
15 E. The office of state resources shall:
16 * * *
17 (2) Work in cooperation with the Center for Energy Studies Institute to
18 maintain current surface and subsurface geological surveys of the state, or otherwise
19 at the discretion of the secretary or his designee; conduct geological mapping;
20 prepare geological hazards assessments and resource inventories; and conduct
21 process investigations and related studies.
22 * * *
23 G. The office of energy shall organize, plan, supervise, direct, administer,
24 execute, and be responsible for the functions and programs relating to the
25 deployment and operation of alternative energy infrastructure in this state in a
26 manner that results in affordable and reliable energy. The office of energy shall also
27 work in cooperation with the Center for Energy Studies Institute to create and carry
28 out a central, comprehensive, and unified energy data and information program
29 which will collect, evaluate, assemble, analyze, and disseminate data and information
30 which is relevant to energy resource reserves, energy production, demand, and
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1 technology, and related economic and statistical information, or which is relevant to
2 the adequacy of energy resources to meet demands in the near and longer term future
3 of the state. The office of energy shall work to provide the department and the
4 Natural Resources Commission with technical assistance and expertise in matters
5 related to energy and natural resources and shall also work to identify policy options
6 relative to energy related matters upon request. Finally, the office of energy shall
7 coordinate with academic and research institutions who possess specialized expertise
8 in areas related to energy and natural resources on behalf of the department.
9 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
10 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
11 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
12 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
13 effective on the day following such approval.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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