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 788 Original 2020 Regular Session Cormier
Abstract: Provides for the process by which the Legislature of Louisiana adopts coastal restoration
projects designed to divert Mississippi River water into either the Barataria or Breton basins.
Present law provides that after adoption by the board, the Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority (CPRA) must submit its annual plan to the House Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on
Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways
and Public Works for approval. Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law further requires that any coastal restoration project which is designed to divert
Mississippi River water into either the Barataria or Breton basins be presented to the applicable
legislative committees for review in a separate plan and must be done in a separate resolution
following the same procedures for approval under present law.
Present law specifies that the legislature may approve or disapprove a plan by resolution adopted by
a majority vote of the members of each house of the legislature. Further provides that if the
legislature disapproves a plan, it must include in the resolution a brief summary of the reasons for
disapproval and may make recommendations concerning any changes it deems necessary or
appropriate to remedy any deficiencies in the plan. Proposed law retains present law and further
adds that no expenditures on a plan can be authorized until such time as the legislature approves a
plan by resolution adopted by a majority vote of each house of the legislature.
Present law further provides that if the legislature fails to take action on the master plan within 60
days after the plan is submitted, the board shall provide for implementation of the plan as submitted.
Proposed law modifies present law by specifying that if the legislature approves the master plan it
must provide for implementation of the plan as approved.
(Amends R.S. 49:214.5.3(E)(1), (3), and (4))