[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6224248,"mediaKeyId","3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192","parentId",3552290,"title","House committee delays Department reorganization bill after agriculture, groundwater concerns","audioSeconds",1022,"startMs",2008000,"endMs",3030000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192&start=2008&end=3030","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192/thumbnail_2008000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6224248/Louisiana/House-committee-delays-Department-reorganization-bill-after-agriculture-groundwater-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224248-08b29ae24219aa4cfcbde6bac32d98bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636204&Signature=GvROzYO0DAOlaRK25VWZuPBtswLcEKNHYzfYhe~e0xVmqcKlcM7NJCqsWQ6VWLl3p20vexh0UggMOlXQ63Cc7cmdzsEzvnltyPqoL44qFLrz8HnIq3BR7auKTCCPTi3dhZf6mAcUwu3tlyuoOo9taR6SW0AV-MdSmFtgv-OqBOYI4jIXSwajVBflZBFcXvEx-CWVwZW1zGji8IKEWTM1Km2jbqef9srnn9DVujvkBeof-i9e8D6YX~~tc29JeCz5FyA97Kz6bTWSujGK-CCTQhxmmtQQSZYP6icmqm8fFUayxYnJ0qzQD3hHCC4JHNx10tmpkRlI0T8O-ci9yJgdBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-05-28T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 244, a wide-ranging reorganization to rename the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Conservation and Energy and restructure leadership, was amended and then voluntarily deferred by the House Natural Resources Committee on May 28, 2025, after lawmakers and stakeholders pressed for clarifications on groundwater authority and an agricultural exemption.

The bill \"is to create, to streamline the Department of Natural Resources, to rename the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Conservation and Energy,\" sponsor Senator Blake Henskins said, adding the measure removes a layer of bureaucracy by eliminating assistant-secretary posts and changing many references from \"commissioner\" to \"secretary.\" He asked the committee to add several amendments before the bill returns next week.

Supporters said the reorganization aims to modernize agency structure and improve interagency coordination. Dustin Davidson, deputy secretary at the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, described the bill as \"a continued effort . . . in reorganizing the department,\" saying most changes are name or title updates and that \"there are no changes to carbon capture\" or to long-standing statutory functions. Tyler Gray, of the department, said an amendment would let the legislature create one-year advisory committees by concurrent resolution so stakeholders could address issues in a targeted way.

Lawmakers adopted three sets of amendments in committee action. Amendment set 3,571 adds the executive director of the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the Natural Resources Commission and authorizes the legislature to create advisory committees; amendment set 3,521 restores an agricultural-use exemption that had been removed in an earlier Senate floor change; and amendment set 3,360 made technical edits and changes to expedited permitting, the use of the Louisiana asset management pool, and several office name changes. Each set was moved favorable and adopted without recorded opposition.

Despite those changes, several witnesses and members urged clearer language on groundwater authority and local commissions. Kathy Waskom of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network said the bill, as amended on the Senate floor, left \"exclusive authority to the department\" and created \"limbo\" for the Capital Area Groundwater Commission, which she and others said has been working with the Water Institute of the Gulf on a sustainability plan. \"You cannot make sustainability plans for the state unless you actually know how much water is being used,\" Waskom said.

Commissioner Strain (as identified in testimony), who spoke for agricultural stakeholders, and Lisa Loop of the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association both urged retention of the agricultural exemption and a seat at the table for the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission. \"We represent the largest sector of landowners,\" Commissioner Strain said, arguing the exemption protects farm operations from future metering or regulation.

Department officials responded that the bill does not add new restrictions on private wells and that existing well regulation remains largely a registration requirement; Dustin Davidson said some well oversight proposals would move to occupational licensing for administrative fit. On confidentiality and carbon-capture applications, department staff said federal primacy received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created confidentiality provisions in earlier law and the bill clarifies how proprietary information and public requests will be handled.

After discussion and public testimony from representatives of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, Louisiana Rice Growers Association, Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association, Entergy, Sierra Club Delta Chapter and others, Chairman Guymon moved to voluntarily defer Senate Bill 244 for one week so remaining amendments could be finalized. The motion to defer to the committee's next meeting was adopted without recorded opposition.

What happens next: committee staff said the bill will return next week in its amended form for another overview, additional amendments and public testimony. The committee explicitly left in place the agriculture exemption and the new commission seat pending final drafting and said it will work to clarify the status and authorities of local groundwater bodies such as the Capital Area Groundwater Commission.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Natural Resources May 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 244, a wide-ranging reorganization to rename the Department of Natural Resources and restructure leadership, was amended and then voluntarily deferred by the House Natural Resources Committee on May 28, 2025, after lawmakers and stakeholders pressed for clarifications on groundwater authority and an agricultural exemption.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6224226,"Committee reports resolution urging study of health impacts from imported shrimp",67,3180000,3247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192&start=3180&end=3247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192/thumbnail_3180000.jpg","/articles/6224226/Louisiana/Committee-reports-resolution-urging-study-of-health-impacts-from-imported-shrimp","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224226-546d27593bac0b035ae7bdb2b785cc45/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636204&Signature=LO0acRRNFk~pcram2~3H77gLmGwpNIof8te8c6ArW3xnFJOXsSYVSs33vBM5Ghof5Fmj6wUlb-4f0ppYFjUZcEUvVq6w3G7relXR608pBdgew-9M47fwj15JIvTHohj7kd~32LQ8WU-qv2X17f7sK7VfThQSSA3q9olMYIlqdY5cka3D-XaixP1ghG46-q6cqmUIrIa0XnTn1qUlw8K6b7fql3pAj2MKxlDHn~pwcMc1DOQvti-kQ5w0tuicue4saTwwil3OLagKMLJ2ZFLSiumSJbPWXPbWIaxJ54WP1pBZbe60~w1vsCqZaQHWxnYl-P9wEq0XFZN0pTe1JMH-Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Resolution 152, introduced by Representative Kerner, urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to study the potential negative health impacts of imported shrimp, including antibiotics and production methods used overseas. The resolution was reported favorable by the House Natural Resources Committee on May 28, 2025.

Representative Kerner described concerns that some imported shrimp may be produced using human or animal waste and antibiotic use, and noted current U.S. testing covers a very small share of imports. \"So what we're asking them to do is check out the negative impact of eating\" imported shrimp, Kerner said during committee remarks.

The measure is a nonbinding request; committee members moved the resolution favorable by voice vote, and it will be transmitted to the federal agency identified in the text.

What happens next: HR 152 will be reported as favorable and the committee record will be transmitted to the federal agencies and records identified in the resolution.","House Resolution 152 asks the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to study negative health impacts from imported shrimp and antibiotic use; the House Natural Resources Committee reported the nonbinding resolution favorable.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6224231,"House panel backs resolution urging study of nuclear energy benefits",177,3319000,3496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192&start=3319&end=3496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192/thumbnail_3319000.jpg","/articles/6224231/Louisiana/House-panel-backs-resolution-urging-study-of-nuclear-energy-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224231-db605acb6d927e165c9b99202bbf80c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636204&Signature=mTcDxk3Js600VYmsgh1UNMQhRjL1HXUKAjYC0KCOAIylBzl-lYKWyNULoNDD5DKrPu4EggASFykPN1enepebWA6fvPBv0-hcXT~tR4IcYhZiKMat3YWoxEao5vsUgIH9Z1B6nOrFzYmCGeDDKvOFtjzfMjG4hngjnFLFo5tVMxwQP374BFVQ~4-K5i3PrLltM8iAMt6ucdfqgCIw74y4maCHVMPKoBUwm-nzUJZy7GBZl2YXGf2AITpYf4eRMhDTLaCXhuidh35PHxGGjZrJqOz~f5pRbKtyQrp~fJMqwfiNcUmKdf25Qbxd4GwsFSRaDnfQB4nVgRFSiCExGPe7sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Resolution 212, sponsored by Representative Echols and handled in committee by Representative Reiser, urges and requests the Department of Energy and Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission to research benefits of using nuclear energy generation in Louisiana. The House Natural Resources Committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the resolution favorable on May 28, 2025.

Representative Reiser described the resolution as an effort to explore additional energy sources to support growth, including anticipated demand from expanding AI and data-center deployments. \"This bill is simply trying to provide additional energy sources for Louisiana as we expand our AI footprint,\" Representative Echols said through Representative Reiser.

The committee adopted a technical amendment (set 35,67) that rephrased one sentence; no substantive policy changes were made. Representative Zorane asked a colloquial question about \"nuclear fusion,\" and sponsors responded mainly that the resolution aims to study nuclear-generation benefits rather than endorse a specific technology.

What happens next: the resolution was reported favorable and will be transmitted to the appropriate recipients for study; it is a nonbinding request for research by state agencies.","House Resolution 212 instructs state agencies to research the potential benefits of nuclear energy for Louisiana; the committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the resolution favorable.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6224236,"House panel approves task force to study water planning for data centers",125,3033000,3158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192&start=3033&end=3158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192/thumbnail_3033000.jpg","/articles/6224236/Louisiana/House-panel-approves-task-force-to-study-water-planning-for-data-centers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224236-080de35e45cf686a326785714f849dcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636204&Signature=iujmEFLcU3O27qqQDiEexyzkaGOwmuFWl4oCTwNTKjTFLo3fTuk7T5Z4xNtMEo9VUkz~IUYpowYbs0fMgF1AwCUP7yCRfYnkROl7Y2GOTi5VcD3Vh-hR137OXUFmdRD7DMfaIMHNFW1TeYZfHvuH-Xms6ipm1BoZ1tSD2vwZDn7B5n6HoGWloS6MwqE6nfvhI06E6MV37f9iXeMIF~v3jmwDU8IPJxANc6hizAeBQnyUlhZa3XOC32UFrJqRnahFKNWSnCXGAIMFqFHUyk3rc9zkER3p8kFi9K4Z7Ylq4zcDmyHnXLj9k5-6PwSkLzdXJAWAwg-Nu1d6NJ54Oa1xQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Natural Resources Committee on May 28, 2025, approved House Concurrent Resolution 61, which creates a special task force to study interagency consultation processes for data centers and to improve natural-resource planning and management.

Representative Coates introduced HCR 61 as a vehicle to examine water resources in connection with the state's rapidly expanding data-center footprint. \"I'm just bringing this resolution so we can create a task force so we can start talking about the water resources in connection with the data centers,\" Representative Coates said.

The committee adopted amendment set 35,98, which adds one additional member each from the House and Senate appointed by the respective chairs of the natural-resources committees and allows the task-force chair to add additional members as necessary. Representative Coates moved the amendment and then moved the resolution favorable; the committee reported HCR 61 favorable with no recorded opposition.

What happens next: the resolution will establish the task force for study and the committee indicated it expects the panel to coordinate across agencies to produce recommendations on how water resources and permitting should be handled for large industrial water users such as data centers.

","HCR 61 will create a special task force to study interagency consultation around data centers and natural-resource planning; the committee adopted an amendment to add legislative appointees and reported the resolution favorable.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6224242,"Committee advances carbon sequestration bill after technical amendments",122,105000,227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192&start=105&end=227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3552290-dbf5a12b87dd9f9bc676ad8e61728192/thumbnail_105000.jpg","/articles/6224242/Louisiana/Committee-advances-carbon-sequestration-bill-after-technical-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224242-aa50f6d2aa2e60055a4ecd7780cf8813/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636204&Signature=WSr3WKKU9WEd-ROCsRbB0gr~8Sfo4JYttNXxwMRqQ7ZyIZ-zdJLZTktExYvdoHTkIv9jrXDjhxqwa-tKtupf1jlkqRyLUjBlwV3ewWT98zYjwkrKJJ2ULbMrfxAiLbPoUNl8WED5dmIjlPYlPg~oFI4stumFr7fwJk26kQ-Npq6~1x09LWIt83zRBei9yf46~jk301GDEtxmkzzkC27M8JvTL~JXht82331i6twyyybOW1v0fxbVA9zjxYBCrF9ZrbXIof40sV3Ppe2sOhvA-NFaRsporZLtJzOXB77VtBO2GJO5hPbKd3nE-R6smH3Rl29usrRclxzFFJpXihrdgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 36, a measure providing for carbon sequestration, was taken up and reported favorable by the House Natural Resources Committee on May 28, 2025, after the committee adopted three technical amendments.

\"Senate bill 36 by Senator Henskins provides for carbon sequestration,\" Miss Stoller read into the record. Senator Blake Henskins, the bill sponsor, told the committee the bill mirrors similar measures introduced by Senator Reese and was brought forward to ensure a backup if the companion bill encountered difficulties.

Committee staff distributed amendment set 3,572, described as three technical amendments. Ms. Stahlder said the changes were technical and offered them to the committee; they were adopted \"without opposition,\" after which Chairman Guymon moved the bill favorable. \"Seeing no opposition, Senate Bill 36 is reported favorable,\" the chair said.

The committee did not take up substantive changes to carbon-sequestration policy in this hearing; sponsors and staff characterized the amendments as technical and intended to align the bill with related legislation.

What happens next: the bill was reported favorable and will proceed according to the House calendar and further legislative process.","Senate Bill 36, addressing carbon sequestration, had three technical amendments adopted and was reported favorable by the House Natural Resources Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee delays Department reorganization bill after agriculture, groundwater concerns

Committee reports resolution urging study of health impacts from imported shrimp

House panel backs resolution urging study of nuclear energy benefits

House panel approves task force to study water planning for data centers

Committee advances carbon sequestration bill after technical amendments