The original instrument was prepared by J. W. Wiley. The following digest, which
does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Martha Hess.
DIGEST
SB 180 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Allain
Present law allows the monies in the Oilfield Site Restoration Fund (fund) to be disbursed and
expended pursuant to the authority and direction of the secretary or assistant secretary of the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for certain purposes and uses, including costs associated
with response to an emergency.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the DNR to seek recovery from the responsible party
any monies disbursed and expended from the fund for an emergency within six months from
disbursement. Further requires the DNR to reimburse the fund any monies disbursed and expended
from the fund for an emergency within one year from disbursement. Provides that upon a 2/3's vote
of the members of the commission, DNR shall not be required to reimburse the fund.
Present law allows the secretary of the DNR to recover certain costs incurred by the secretary for the
control, clean up, closure, or restoration of oilfield sites. Further provides a procedure for the
recovery of costs.
Proposed law retains present law and includes costs for responding to an emergency at an oilfield
site or other facility, structure, or pipeline under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of conservation
to the costs the secretary may recover from the responsible party. Proposed law does not allow DNR
to use monies in the fund for administration purposes.
Present law provides certain balance requirements in the fund. When the balance in the fund equals
or exceeds $14 million dollars, the oilfield site restoration fees on oil and gas will not be collected
or required to be paid by the responsible party. When the balance in the fund has fallen below $10
million dollars, the fees will be collected or required to be paid by the responsible party. Proposed
law retains present law.
Effective August 1, 2019.
(Amends R.S. 30:86(E)(5) and 93(A)(intro para); adds R.S. 30:93(A)(4); repeals R.S. 30:86(E)(2))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the original bill
1. Restores the balance requirements in the fund.
2. Repeals the authorization for DNR to use monies in the fund for administration
purposes. 3. Provides that monies disbursed for an emergency must be reimbursed to the fund by
DNR within one year from disbursement, unless the commission, by 2/3's vote, does
not require DNR to reimburse the fund.