Present law establishes the Department of Conservation and Energy, managed by a commissioner, with jurisdiction over state natural resources.

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Proposed law renames the department to the Department of Conservation and Energy and replaces the position of commissioner with a secretary, appointed by the governor, and establishes new offices within the department, including the offices of permitting and compliance, enforcement, and state resources.

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Proposed law revises terminology, providing updates to definitions for terms, and it further clarifies regulatory oversight responsibilities, requiring detailed individual well production reporting.

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Proposed law significantly enhances permitting requirements for commercial waste disposal wells, including mandatory public hearings and substantial public notices in official journals.

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Proposed law outlines comprehensive guidelines regarding construction, maintenance, and abandonment of pipelines and associated structures on state water bottoms, with specific provisions to mitigate environmental hazards and obstructions to navigation.

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Proposed law introduces detailed remediation procedures for environmental damage associated with oilfield operations, establishing a review panel for evaluating contamination disputes and remediation obligations. The process includes suspending prescription on claims and providing immunity for panel members from civil liability.

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Proposed law expands financial security requirements for well permits, mandating operators to provide adequate bonding to ensure site restoration and plugging of abandoned wells.

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Proposed law authorizes comprehensive water resource management, granting the department broad regulatory powers over the use, conservation, and protection of state water resources.

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Proposed law provides mechanisms for appeals related to remediation decisions, detailing processes involving the division of administrative law and specifying admissibility standards for review panel findings in court proceedings.

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Effective August 1, 2025.