RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 727 (HB 810) 2024 Regular Session Geymann
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Existing law establishes the Dept. of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) and provides
for its organization, offices, powers, duties, and functions.
Existing law provides that the DENR is responsible for the conservation, management, and
development of water, minerals, and other natural resources of the state, including coastal
management, but excepting timber and fish and wildlife habitats.
New law adds that the DENR is also responsible for state land and water bottom
management and permitting and energy-related rights of way and leases on state lands and
water bottoms.
OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT
New 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.
New law tasks the office of enforcement with inspecting the regulated community and
enforcing laws and regulations within the DENR's jurisdiction.
New law requires the office of energy to manage functions and programs related to the
deployment and operation of alternative energy infrastructure in the state and to cooperate
with the Center for Energy Studies in the development of a unified energy data and
information program.
New law specifies that the office of land and water is responsible for the following:
(1)State water bottom management.
(2)Energy-related rights of way and leases on state lands and water bottoms.
(3)Administration of groundwater, surface water, and other water resources for quantity
purposes, unless otherwise provided by the secretary.
Prior law established the office of the oil spill coordinator and its functions within the Dept.
of Public Safety and Corrections.
New law transfers the office of the oil spill coordinator and its functions from the Dept. of
Public Safety and Corrections to the DENR.
Existing law establishes the office of conservation and provides for its purposes and
functions.
New law adds permitting and compliance to the functions exercised by the office of
conservation.
Prior law provided for cooperation between the office of mineral resources and La. State
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College regarding geological surveys, mapping,
hazard assessments, and inventories of the state.
New law provides for cooperation with the Center for Energy Studies rather than La. State
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.
OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT Existing law provides for the functions, powers, and duties of the secretary, undersecretary,
assistant secretaries, and other officers of the DENR.
Existing law requires that if the secretary determines that the department could operate more
efficiently, he must present plans for improvement to the legislature.
New law retains existing law and adds that beginning Jan. 15, 2026, and then each time 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 commission's
functions and responsibilities going forward.
Prior law required the secretary to set priorities for coastal energy impact program funds as
provided in R.S. 49:213.10(D).
New law removes this requirement.
New law requires the secretary to set priorities for the Oil Spill Contingency Fund, as
provided in R.S. 30:2483.
New law adds duties for the secretary related to the deployment and operation of energy
infrastructure that results in affordable and reliable energy and the creation and use of an
energy and natural resources data and information program.
Existing law authorizes the secretary to appoint advisory councils, boards, and commissions
for the administration of the department.
New law further authorizes the secretary to appoint advisory councils, boards, and
commissions for providing expertise within the department's jurisdiction.
Prior law authorized 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 the DENR.
New law authorizes the secretary to designate any assistant secretary of the DENR to
represent the state in matters relative to energy and natural resources and within the
jurisdiction of DENR.
Existing law establishes the functions and responsibilities of the undersecretary of the
DENR, including responsibility for the office of management and finance, accounting, and
budgetary control.
New law adds that the undersecretary is also responsible for the La. Natural Resources Trust
Authority and its functions.
Prior law limited 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.
New law removes this limitation.
LA. NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST AUTHORI TY
New law creates the La. Natural Resources Trust Authority within the 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.
New 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.
New 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.
Effective July 1, 2024.
(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))