HB 595

ENROLLED
 2026 Regular Session
  ACT No. 656
 HOUSE BILL NO. 595
 BY REPRESENTATIVE JACOB LANDRY
1AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 30:4.4, relative to development of the state's natural resources; to prohibit
3local governing authorities from taking actions that impede the state's ability to
4develop natural resources, including local road permitting; and to provide for related
5matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7Section 1. R.S. 30:4.4 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8§4.4. Exclusive jurisdiction
9It is the intent of the legislature that this Subtitle vests the department with
10exclusive jurisdiction over the natural resources of the state, including but not limited
11to regulations, permitting, and related fee schedules. No other political subdivision,
12local governing authority, or municipal or parochial permitting body may use
13inaction on local permitting decisions to unreasonably interfere with activities
14permitted by the department. Any application for a local road permit related to a
15department-permitted activity which has not been approved or denied, with written
16reasons for denial provided to the applicant, within thirty days of submission shall
17be deemed approved.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
  GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
 APPROVED:
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 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
 are additions.