Louisiana House Bill HCR157

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/10/10
• Engrossed: 5/11/10
• Passed: 5/12/10

Caption

Urges and requests British Petroleum to remove certain provisions from contracts with vessel owners

Impact

The resolution highlights the concerns regarding the choice of forum provision, which allows BP to bring legal actions in Houston. For the local vessel owners, this poses a significant challenge, as traveling to Houston for litigation could represent considerable hardship. By urging BP to eliminate this stipulation, the resolution seeks to protect the economic interests of fishermen and charter boat captains who are already struggling in the aftermath of the disaster.

Summary

HCR157 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging British Petroleum (BP) to remove Houston, Texas, from the choice of forum provision included in contracts with vessel owners. This resolution emerges in the context of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, which occurred on April 20, 2010, causing significant environmental damage and threatening livelihoods along Louisiana's coast. The bill intends to ease the burdens on local vessel owners who are engaged in contracts with BP for services related to the oil spill response and mitigation efforts.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR157 appears to be supportive as it seeks to alleviate potential financial and logistical hardships faced by local vessel owners. Legislators expressed a collective interest in ensuring that the interests of the local community are prioritized over corporate preferences in legal matters. This positions the resolution as a protective measure for local livelihoods against the backdrop of significant environmental and economic distress.

Contention

While there is a general consensus on the importance of helping those affected by the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the resolution also implies a critique of BP's practices in managing contracts and litigations with local entities. Some may view the choice of forum as a means of corporate control that undermines local agency; thus, the resolution not only advocates for immediate support for local vessel owners but also prompts broader discussions about corporate accountability and the responsibility to the communities affected by such environmental disasters.