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 400 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Schexnayder
Abstract: Authorizes the commissioner of conservation to regulate liquified natural gas facilities
in the state.
Proposed law authorizes the commissioner of conservation to promulgate rules for the regulation of
the location, construction, operation, and maintenance of a liquefied natural gas facility within the
state.
Present law provides that the commissioner of conservation has the authority to regulate all public
and private natural gas distribution systems for safety purposes except where prohibited by federal
law. Proposed law authorizes the commissioner to regulate people engaged in the transportation of
gas or those who own or operate intrastate pipelines and requires state regulations to be consistent
with federal rules and regulations.
Present law authorizes the commissioner of conservation to certify to the U.S. secretary of
transportation that the state has regulatory jurisdiction over the safety standards of intrastate
pipelines. Proposed law authorizes the commissioner to certify to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation
that the state has jurisdiction over the safety standards and practices of intrastate pipelines and
liquified natural gas facilities and the transportation of gas and liquified natural gas associated with
those facilities.
Proposed law specifically provides that, except as provided in federal law, the commissioner does
not have authority to regulate safety standards for interstate gas pipelines or the transportation of gas
through those pipelines.
(Amends R.S. 30:551(B) and 703; Adds R.S. 30:4(P) and 551(C) and (D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment to the original bill:
1. Update regulatory citations references in the Code of Federal Regulations.
2. Authorize the commissioner to regulate the people who transport gas or those who own
or operate intrastate pipelines and require state regulations to be consistent with federal
rules and regulations. 3. Authorize the commissioner to certify to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation that the state
has jurisdiction over the safety standards and practices of intrastate pipelines and
liquified natural gas facilities and the transportation of gas and liquified natural gas
associated with those facilities.
4. Provide that the commissioner does not have authority to regulate safety standards for
interstate gas pipelines or the transportation of gas, except as provided in federal law.