Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association

2012 Committee Assignments

2012 - 2016 Louisiana House Committee Assignments

2012 - 2016 Louisiana Senate Committee Assignments

2011 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The 2011 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session adjourned Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 6:00p.m.

LMOGA Session Summary:

• Legislators approved a $25 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2012

• A bill to phase out and ultimately repeal the state personal income tax failed as the session drew to a close. The bill would have removed $2 billion from current state revenue over a 10-year period. The author, Sen. Rob Marionneaux, D-Livonia, wanted to fill the gap by reducing corporate tax exemptions.

• A bill to continue the current tax on cigarettes (the bill renewed 4 cents of the current tax) was passed out of both chambers but was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Jindal. The governor promised prior to the session he would veto any tax increase that crossed his desk. However, in a surprise move the author, Rep. Harold Ritchie, D-Bogalusa, appended the tax renewal to a constitutional amendment supported by the governor. Constitutional amendments cannot be vetoed by the governor and therefore, the measure passed both houses of the legislature and will be considered by voters in the October primary election..

• Gov. Jindal’s legislative package received mixed results, with measures to privatize prisons, increase employee retirement contributions, and raise college tuition failing and other key administration measures passing, including the extension of several business tax exemptions and expansion of charter schools.

Bills of Interest

• HB 258 by Rep. Richie Burford, R-Stonewall, would have changed in contract law from three to ten years the prescriptive period for an action to recover underpayments or overpayments of mineral royalties. LMOGA opposed this bill.  The legislation was eventually voluntarily withdrawn after heavy lobbying by LMOGA and other industry groups.
• HB 383 by Rep. Jeff Arnold, D-New Orleans, would have changed some provisions of the LA Underground Utilities Damage Law.  LMOGA originally opposed this legislation, but supported the bill once it was amended to satisfy issues raised by the LMOGA pipeline committee.  The bill was passed out of both houses and sent to the governor, where it was signed and enacted into law. (Act 38)
• HB 389 by Rep. Pat Connick, R-Marrero, would have provided that certain releases of future medical claims relating to the BP oil spill are null and void and therefore unenforceable, allowing an injured party the opportunity to file suit at anytime in the future.   LMOGA opposed this bill. The legislation was ultimately defeated on the House floor. 
• HB 422 (constitutional amendment) and HB 436 (statutory companion) by Rep. Reed Henderson, D-Chalmette, would have levied a tax of 50-cents per 1,000 cubic feet on the use of transportation pipeline more than one mile in length for the transportation of natural gas through Louisiana. LMOGA opposed this bill. Rep. Henderson’s bills gained no support in the bills’ committee of origin and were defeated.
• HB 447 by Rep. Michael Jackson, D-Baton Rouge, would have addressed indemnity issues that resulted from the passage of Act 492 last year.  LMOGA supported this bill. The bill was never heard in its House committee.
• HB 490 by Rep. Abramson, D-New Orleans, was everything from Rep. Jackson’s HB 447 plus it excludes the State of Louisiana from Act 492. The bill was voluntarily deferred in the House Commerce Committee.
• HB 547 by Rep. Richie Burford, R-Stonewall, would have defined “timely payout” relative to the payment of royalties within 180 days of production for proceeds totaling $100 or more annually.  Also called for a company to mail a notice to the mineral lessor explaining the reason behind the delay in payment.  LMOGA opposed this bill. The bill was voluntarily withdrawn.  
• HB 563 by Rep. Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, was the  legacy sites legislation. This bill would have provided that the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Office of Conservation include claims for certain environmental damages resulting from oil and gas activity and authorizes the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to take legal action to meet the purpose of the Louisiana Oilfield Site Restoration Law.  LMOGA supported this bill.  The legislation was ultimately defeated in committee. The issue resurfaced as a study resolution introduced by Rep. Karen St. Germain, D-Pierre Part.
• SB 77 by Sen. Buddy Shaw, R-Shreveport, would have provided for the recoupment of unit well costs and risk charges.  LMOGA opposed this bill.  The legislation was voluntarily deferred following testimony in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
• SB 97 by Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, would have eliminated the use of most dispersants and the issuing of permits allowing them in the event of an oil spill.  LMOGA opposed this bill.  The bill was reported favorably out of the Senate Environment Committee and was defeated on the Senate floor.
• SB 145 by Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, provides that the historic gulfward boundary of the state of Louisiana extends a distance into the Gulf of Mexico three marine leagues from the coastline or nine geographical miles. LMOGA worked to include an amendment to address some tax issues.  The amended bill was passed out of both houses and sent to the governor, where it was signed and enacted into law. (Act 336)
• SB 160 by Sen. Mike Michot, R-Lafayette, provides a number of recommended practices to reduce the number of helicopter accidents in oil and gas operations.  LMOGA supported this legislation. The bill was passed out of both houses, signed by the governor and enacted into law. (Act 147)
• SB 214 by Sen. Mike Michot, R-Lafayette, would have addressed the unitization of ultra-deep wells.  LMOGA supported this bill. The bill was never heard in its committee of origin.
• SB 240 by Sen. Norby Chabert, R-Houma, would have dealt with the way the state issues oyster leases as it relates to current oil and gas operations in the same area.  LMOGA supported this legislation.  The bill was later converted to a study resolution introduced by Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Gray.

Legislator Turnover

A number of key legislators are term-limited in 2011 and cannot run for re-election.

• House term-limited members include: Reps. Damon Baldone, Jean Doerge, Rick Gallot, Nita Hutter, Michael Jackson, Kay Katz, Tom McVea, Jane Smith, Gary Smith, House Speaker Jim Tucker, and Earnest Wooten. 
• Senate term-limited members include:  Senate President Joel Chaisson, Sens. Butch Gautreaux, Rob Marionneaux, Joe McPherson, Mike Michot, and Willie Mount.

While these members cannot run for their existing seat, many do plan to run for other offices (including some House members running for Senate seats).  In addition to these, several other members have and will be announcing their intent to leave the legislature as well. 

The 2011 legislative election schedule is as follows:

• Candidate Qualifying: September 6-8
• Early Voting: October 8-15
• Primary Election: October 22
• General Election: November 19