LouisianaLouisiana law bars most climate damage claims tied to emissions
Louisiana law bars most new claims for climate damages tied to greenhouse gas emissions, with exceptions for certain rule violations and qualifying coastal resources cases.
What it does
Louisiana law bars most claims for climate damages tied to greenhouse gas emissions. Exceptions cover certain rule violations, lawsuits already filed, and coastal resources cases that do not allege defendants caused climate change.
Argument forEnergy users, producers, and related businesses may face fewer climate damage claims, while claims over certain emissions, permit, or workplace safety violations can still proceed.
Argument againstPeople seeking relief for climate related harm may lose access to Louisiana courts, except for claims based on specified rule violations or lawsuits already filed by the effective date.
More detail
Louisiana courts and proceedings must not hear most covered claims for climate damages tied to greenhouse gas emissions. The bar covers claims for damages or other relief tied to climate change or its alleged effects from greenhouse gas emissions, brought against any person in a Louisiana court or proceeding. The bar does not cover claims based on unlawful violations of enforceable state or federal emissions limits or permit terms, or an enforceable federal workplace safety standard violation that directly and proximately causes the specific injury claimed. Lawsuits for damages filed by the effective date are excluded. Coastal resources claims and enforcement actions are excluded only if they do not allege that defendants caused, contributed to, or were otherwise responsible for climate change. The bar applies to covered claims filed on or after the law's effective date, even if the conduct happened earlier. The law takes effect upon the governor's signature.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 8Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 843.Became Law
- Jun 8Effective date: 06/08/2026.
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- Jun 1Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 92, nays 5, Senate amendments concurred in.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1697). Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 31 yeas and 3 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1272). Result: pass.Upper
- May 26Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 20Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 19Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 18Reported with amendments.Minor
- May 11Rules suspended. Recalled from Committee.
- May 11Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Natural Resources.
- May 7Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Environmental Quality.Minor
- May 6Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- May 5Called from the calendar.
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#892). Result: pass.Lower
- May 5Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 83, nays 17. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Apr 29Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- Apr 29Notice given.
- Apr 29Scheduled for floor debate on 05/05/2026.
- Apr 27Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- Apr 27Scheduled for floor debate on 04/29/2026.
- Apr 23Reported with amendments (14-0).Minor
- Mar 9Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.Minor
- Feb 27Prefiled.Minor
- Feb 27Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.Minor
- Feb 27First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.Introduced
Environment & Energy