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)]
Johnson HB No. 957
Abstract: Changes the membership of the Oilfield Site Restoration Commission and requires
the commissioner of conservation to do certain things relative to disposal wells and
injection wells.
Present law provides for the jurisdiction, duties, and powers of the commissioner of
conservation. Authorizes the commissioner to regulate disposal wells and injection wells and
other items and facilities associated with such wells including requiring the plugging and
abandoning of abandoned wells or wells of no further use. Authorizes the commissioner to
require reasonable surety bond for such plugging and abandoning.
Proposed law requires the commissioner to require the plugging of abandoned wells and wells
that are of no further use and require surety bond associated with such activities.
Present law creates the Oilfield Site Restoration Commission and charges that commission with
the responsibility to approve a priority list for oilfield site restoration efforts by the Dept. of
Natural Resources, review such activities, and administer and manage the Oilfield Site
Restoration Fund. Provides that the commission be composed of the following:
(1)The secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources, who shall serve as the chairman and the
assistant secretary, who shall serve as vice chairman.
(2)One person appointed by the governor, serving at the pleasure of the governor.
(3)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three persons submitted by the
Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association for an initial term of four years.
(4)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three persons submitted by the
Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association for an initial term of two years.
(5)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three persons submitted by the
Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association who shall serve an initial term of four
years.
(6)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three persons submitted by the
Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association who shall serve an initial term of two
years. (7)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three persons submitted by the
Louisiana Landowners Association who shall serve an initial term of three years.
(8)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three persons submitted by
representatives of the Louisiana division of the Sierra Club, the Louisiana Wildlife
Federation, and the Louisiana division of the Audubon Society, who shall serve an initial
term of three years.
(9)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three persons submitted by the
Nature Conservancy for an initial term of three years.
Proposed law alters the membership to be as follows:
(1)The secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resources, who shall serve as the chairman.
(2)One person appointed by the governor, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.
(3)The secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Quality. The undersecretary of the
department may serve as a proxy member of the board in the absence of the secretary and
shall have full authority to act for the secretary when serving as a member of the board.
(4)The secretary of the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries. The undersecretary of the
department may serve as a proxy member of the board in the absence of the secretary and
shall have full authority to act for the secretary when serving as a member of the board.
(5)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three nominations submitted by the
Delta Chapter Sierra Club, who shall serve an initial term of four years.
(6)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three nominations submitted by the
Louisiana Wildlife Federation, who shall serve an initial term of two years.
(7)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three nominations submitted by the
Louisiana Landowners Association who shall serve an initial term of three years.
(8)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three nominations submitted by the
Louisiana Audubon Council who shall serve an initial term of three years.
(9)One person appointed by the governor from a list of three nominations submitted by the
Nature Conservancy for an initial term of three years.
(10)The assistant secretary for the office of conservation or his designee shall serve as vice
chairman of the commission. The assistant secretary shall not be counted to determine
the number needed to constitute a quorum but shall be counted to establish a quorum.
When the secretary is present, the assistant secretary shall not be a voting member. The
assistant secretary for the office of conservation may serve as a proxy member of the board in the absence of the secretary and shall have full authority to act for the secretary
when serving as a member of the board.
(Amends R.S. 30:4(C)(16)(a), 4.1(B)(1), and 83(B))