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 810 Original 2024 Regular Session Geymann
Abstract: Provides for the organization, offices, functions, and responsibilities of the Department
of Energy and Natural Resources and its officers; creates the offices of enforcement, energy,
and land and water; creates the Louisiana Natural Resources Trust Authority; transfers the
Louisiana oil spill coordinator to the department; and provides for the management of state
lands and water bottoms.
Present law establishes the Dept. of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) and provides for its
organization, offices, powers, duties, and functions.
Proposed law creates and provides for the functions of the following new offices within DENR:
(1)The office of enforcement.
(2)The office of energy.
(3)The office of land and water.
Proposed law provides that the office of enforcement is to inspect the regulated community and
enforce laws and regulations within DENR's jurisdiction.
Proposed law provides that the office of energy is to manage functions and programs related to the
deployment and operation of alternative energy infrastructure in this state and the unified energy data
and information program.
Proposed law provides that the office of land and water is responsible for:
(1)Management and permitting of state lands and water bottoms.
(2)The issuance of energy-related rights of way on state lands and water bottoms.
(3)Energy-related leasing of state lands and water bottoms.
(4)Administration of groundwater, surface water, and other water resources for quantity
purposes, unless otherwise provided by the secretary
Proposed law transfers the La. Oil Spill Coordinator and its functions from the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections to DENR.
Present law provides for the functions, powers, and duties of the secretary of DENR.
Proposed law adds duties, responsibilities, and functions of the secretary related to the deployment and operation of energy infrastructure in the state and an energy and natural resources data and
information program.
Present law requires that if the secretary determines that the department could operate more
efficiently, he must present plans for improvement to the legislature.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that beginning Jan. 15, 2026, and every year thereafter
that the department is scheduled to sunset, the secretary must submit recommendations to either
terminate or continue each board and commission within the department to the House and Senate
committees on natural resources. Specifies that recommendations to terminate a board or
commission must include plans for how to handle that board or commissions functions and
responsibilities going forward.
Present law authorizes the secretary to appoint advisory councils, boards, and commissions for the
administration of the department.
Proposed law further authorizes the secretary to appoint advisory councils, boards, and commissions
for providing expertise within the department's jurisdiction.
Present law authorizes the secretary to designate the assistant secretary of the office of conservation
to represent the state in matters relative to energy and natural resources and within the jurisdiction
of DENR.
Proposed law authorizes the secretary to designate any assistant secretary of DENR to represent the
state in matters relative to energy and natural resources and within the jurisdiction of DENR.
Proposed law creates the La. Natural Resources Trust Authority within DENR and provides for its
functions, including the development of strategic plans to address financial challenges facing energy
and natural resources-related projects in the state, and the authority to establish an executive
committee with delegated responsibilities other than rate determinations.
Proposed law further provides that the authority has the power to do the following:
(1)Set financial obligations of operators or applicants, consistent with the purposes, authorities,
and functions of the DENR and its officers.
(2)Indemnify members, officers, and employees against liabilities.
(3)Execute necessary contracts and instruments.
(4)Enter agreements for deductions, payments, and the administration of grants
(5)Solicit, accept, and expend grants.
Proposed law further provides that the authority has the power to promulgate rules regarding the
following:
(1)Residency requirements, participant limits, and account accrual limits.
(2)Substitutions, transfers, or other financial instruments necessary to meet plugging or abandonment obligations.
(3)Interest rates with state treasurer approval.
(4)Abandoned accounts as provided by law.
(5)Investment guidelines.
(6)Procedures and standards for worthiness of applications.
(7)Fees and other provisions necessary to implement the authority's functions
Present law establishes the functions and responsibilities of the undersecretary of DENR, including
the responsibility for the office of management and finance, accounting, and budgetary control.
Proposed law adds that the undersecretary is responsible for the Louisiana Natural Resources Trust
Authority and its functions.
Present law establishes the office of conservation and provides for its purposes and functions.
Proposed law adds permitting and compliance to the functions exercised by the office of
conservation.
Present law provides for cooperation between the office of conservation and La. State University and
Agricultural and Mechanical College regarding geological surveys, mapping, assessments, and
inventories of the state.
Proposed law provides for cooperation with the Center for Energy Studies rather than La. State
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.
Present law limits the authority of the secretary, deputy secretary, and undersecretary of the
department to exercise, review, administer, or implement the quasi judicial, licensing, permitting,
regulatory, rulemaking, and enforcement powers of the assistant secretary of the office of
conservation.
Proposed law removes this limitation.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 36:351(B) and (C), 354(A)(15) and (B)(2) and (6), 356(B), 357(B) and (C), 358(C)
and (D)(2), 359(B)(1) and (2), 401(C)(1)(b)(i), and 405(A)(1)(b); Adds R.S. 36:354(A)(19), 356.1,
358(E) through (G), and 359(B)(4); Repeals R.S. 36:408(I) and 409(C)(8))