Discussion about 2025 legislation relating to CCS

Will discuss the current state of affairs, what’s known, unknown, as well as the disputes bubbling up between mineral rights holders, surface owners, and CCUS operators throughout the state of Louisiana (maybe brief foray into Texas ?) 

Nearing the end of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, on June 11, 2025, the Louisiana Legislature passed Senate Bill No. 244 (“SB 244”), which brings significant changes to Louisiana’s oilfield site remediation statute, commonly known as “Act 312” (found at La. R.S. § 30:29). Act 312 applies to cases where environmental damage is alleged from historical oil and gas operations (commonly referred to “legacy” cases) and provides the procedure for the State to evaluate, approve, and maintain oversight over oilfield site evaluation and remediation.

Effective to legacy cases filed after September 1, 2027, SB 244, if signed by the Governor, would provide much needed clarity, not only to litigants, but to the State agencies entrusted with oversight over oilfield site remediation.

This presentation will explore the complexities involved in gaining access to lands of another for decommissioning and remediation work after mineral operations have ceased and leases have expired.  It will examine the statutory right of access for work pursuant to regulatory compliance orders, rights of access under cooperative agreements for work on orphaned well sites, contractual access agreements, and the enforcement of access rights. 

Significant changes were made to Louisiana law regarding the administration  and  collection of ad valorem taxes on immovable property by Act No. 774 of the Louisiana legislature, effective January 1, 2026.  This presentation will discuss those changes and the impact those changes will have on the administration and collection process, including the new definitions for tax liens, tax lien certificates, tax lien auctions and redemption of tax liens, as well as adjudicated property and procedures to quiet title.