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HCR 59

ENERGY: Urges and requests the state, its agencies, and the legislature to repudiate the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chuck Owen

The bill urges repudiation of the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan and declares it non-binding, steering future climate initiatives toward state-led, stakeholder-informed, market

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
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Bill Summary · HCR 59

Summary of HCR 59 (2026, Louisiana)

Overview

  • Type: House Concurrent Resolution
  • Subject: ENERGY; repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022
  • Sponsor: Representative Owen (Co-sponsor: Chuck Owen)
  • Status (as of the provided text): Read by title; referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment. The action history notes introduction and referral dates in April 2026.

Purpose and intent

  • The resolution urges and requests all state actors in Louisiana (the state itself, agencies, and the Legislature) to repudiate the Louisiana Climate Action Plan (LCA Plan) of 2022, including the accompanying Priority Climate Action Plan.
  • It declares the LCA Plan non-binding on current or future state legislation, policies, programs, or agencies.
  • It emphasizes returning to and prioritizing “America-first” and “Louisiana-first” principles—favoring energy independence, private property rights, state sovereignty, and free-market approaches over international climate mandates.

Key provisions and changes (substantive)

  • Repudiation and non-binding status: The bill states that the Louisiana Climate Action Plan and the Priority Climate Action Plan should be repudiated and declared non-binding on future state actions.
  • Guidance for future climate initiatives: Any future climate or environmental initiatives should be developed with robust input from industry stakeholders, local communities, and the public, ensuring economic benefits and technological feasibility for the state.
  • Legislative oversight: The Legislature should assert its oversight authority, including conducting hearings on matters that may translate into policy or state action when advanced through executive action.
  • Policy orientation: The resolution signals a preference for policies that prioritize energy independence, private property rights, state sovereignty, and free-market principles, rather than global or federal climate mandates.

Who or what is affected

  • State entities: The resolution targets the state, its agencies, and the Legislature, urging changes in policy posture regarding climate action plans.
  • Future policy development: Sets expectations for how future climate or environmental initiatives should be developed and evaluated (stakeholder input, economic feasibility, and alignment with state interests).
  • No immediate regulatory changes: As a concurrent resolution, it does not itself create binding regulatory requirements but signals policy direction and legislative intent. It would influence how agencies and lawmakers approach climate-related planning.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Routing: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment after introduction.
  • Advisory/expressive nature: Being a concurrent resolution, the measure expresses the Legislature’s position rather than enacting new law.
  • Contextual timeline from bill text: References to the Climate Initiatives Task Force and the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, plus subsequent actions (Priority Climate Action Plan submitted to EPA in 2023) are described to frame the rationale for repudiation.
  • Communication: Requires transmission of a copy to the governor, presiding officers (president of the Senate, speaker of the House), and agency heads.

Potential impact and implications

  • Policy stance: Signals a formal repudiation of the 2022 plan and a shift away from climate initiatives aligned with that plan, potentially affecting ongoing or planned climate-related programs.
  • Legislative leverage: Encourages greater legislative oversight on climate policy and demands stakeholder-inclusive processes for future initiatives.
  • Fiscal and regulatory posture: Reinforces a free-market, energy-industry-friendly approach and could influence future state funding, regulatory posture, and interactions with federal climate programs.

If you’d like, I can compare HCR 59 to the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan components or outline potential fiscal and regulatory implications in more detail.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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