The House Natural Resources Committee of the Louisiana Legislature convened on May 14, 2025, to discuss significant amendments to legislation concerning mineral servitude rights and carbon capture operations. The meeting focused on House Bill 632, which aims to clarify the rights of mineral servitude owners in relation to carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects.

The first major amendment discussed involved a provision that would require compensation for mineral servitude owners when their rights are affected by CCS units. This amendment shifts the compensation standard to fair market value, ensuring that mineral owners receive equitable remuneration for any rights taken or damaged due to these projects. The committee adopted this amendment without opposition.

Representative Reiser, who presented the bill, emphasized that the legislation is designed to protect mineral servitude owners by ensuring they are included in the decision-making process regarding CCS projects. He noted that the bill delineates between carbon storage for long-term purposes and traditional enhanced oil recovery methods, which have been in practice for years.

The committee also addressed concerns from various stakeholders, including mineral servitude owners and industry representatives. Danny Ford, representing a group of mineral servitude owners, highlighted the potential for litigation if the bill does not pass, citing conflicts in existing laws that could lead to disputes over mineral rights. He argued that the bill is not pro- or anti-carbon but seeks to resolve legal discrepancies that could harm the industry.

Opposition to the bill was voiced by representatives from the oil and gas sector, who expressed concerns about the broad implications of redefining mineral servitude rights. They argued that the bill could hinder enhanced oil recovery efforts and increase project costs by requiring consent from mineral owners, which could complicate negotiations and slow down CCS initiatives.

The committee also heard testimonies from mineral servitude owners who described their experiences with CCS projects that proceeded without their consent, raising issues of mineral trespass and the potential condemnation of their rights. They stressed the importance of having their rights protected in any future CCS operations.

As the meeting concluded, the committee acknowledged the need for further discussions to address the concerns raised by both proponents and opponents of the bill. The next steps involve continued dialogue among stakeholders to refine the legislation and ensure that it balances the interests of mineral servitude owners with the goals of carbon capture initiatives in Louisiana.