BATON ROUGE — A proposal to eliminate private companies’ ability to use eminent domain for carbon capture projects in Louisiana failed Tuesday in a House committee, while two related measures that would give local governments authority over such projects remain pending.
House Bill 7, known as the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act and authored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson (R-Pineville), was defeated on a 12–7 vote in the House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy following an extended and heavily attended hearing.
The measure sought to repeal provisions in Louisiana law that allow certain carbon capture and pipeline projects to be treated as serving a public purpose, which can permit the use of eminent domain to acquire pipeline easements.
Testimony on the bill drew strong positions from both supporters and opponents. Representatives of state economic and regulatory agencies expressed concerns that removing eminent domain authority could hinder development of carbon capture infrastructure, which is often linked to industrial investment and emissions reduction strategies. Supporters of the bill, including landowners, argued the current framework allows private companies to take property for projects they contend primarily benefit private industry.
Two related bills remain under consideration.
- House Bill 6 would allow the governing authority of Rapides Parish to determine whether carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects and associated CO₂ pipelines may operate within the parish.
- House Bill 5 would extend similar local decision-making authority to all parishes statewide.
Neither measure had been scheduled for a committee hearing as of Tuesday.
Louisiana has emerged as a focal point for carbon capture development due to its industrial corridor and geologic capacity for underground carbon storage. The debate reflects a broader statewide conflict between economic development priorities and private property rights.
The 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature is scheduled to continue through June 1.