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 169 Original 2024 Regular Session Robby Carter
Abstract: Eliminates limitations on the recovery of noneconomic damages related to carbon
dioxide sequestration.
Present law provides for civil liability actions against an owner or operator of a storage facility,
carbon dioxide transmission pipeline, or generator of the carbon dioxide being handled by either the
facility or pipeline.
Present law provides that the state shall not assume any liability by assuming ownership of a storage
facility under present law. Present law also provides that the commissioner of the Dept. of Natural
Resources or his agents are not liable for damages arising out of a good faith effort to carry out the
purpose of present law.
Present law provides that the compensatory damages for noneconomic loss shall not exceed
$250,000 per occurrence. Present law further provides that in cases of wrongful death, permanent
and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb or bodily organ system, or permanent
physical or mental functional injury, the maximum amount recoverable for noneconomic loss cannot
exceed $500,000 per occurrence.
Present law provides that if the application of present law is found to be unconstitutional or invalid,
the maximum amount recoverable for noneconomic loss cannot exceed $1 million per occurrence.
Proposed law removes the limitations of the maximum amount recoverable for noneconomic losses.
(Amends R.S. 30:1109(B))