Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana HB697: SUNSET LAW: Re-creates the Department of Environmental Quality
Status: Signed into law, May 11, 2026
What the bill says
An act To enact R.S. 49:191(3)(b) and to repeal R.S. 49:191(1)(j), relative to the Department of Environmental Quality, including provisions to provide for the re-creation of the Department of Environmental Quality and the statutory entities made a part of the department by law; to provide for the effective termination date for all statutory authority for the existence of such statutory entities; and to provide for related matters.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT To enact R.S. 49:191(3)(b) and to repeal R.S. 49:191(1)(j), relative to the Department of Environmental Quality, including provisions to provide for the re-creation of the Department of Environmental Quality and the statutory entities made a part of the department by law; to provide for the effective termination date for all statutory authority for the existence of such statutory entities; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. Pursuant to R.S. 49:193, the Department of Environmental Quality and the statutory entities made a part of the department by law shall be re-created effective June 30, 2026, and all statutory authority therefore is continued in accordance with the provisions of Part XII of Chapter 1 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. Section 2. All statutory authority for the existence of the Department of Environmental Quality and the statutory entities made a part of the department as re-created by Section 1 of this Act shall cease as of July 1, 2031, pursuant to R.S. 49:191. However, the Department of Environmental Quality may be re-created prior to such date in accordance with the provisions of Part XII of Chapter 1 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. Section 3. The provisions of R.S. 49:193 are hereby superseded …
Sponsors
- Geymann, Brett (R, 35) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Effective date: 06/30/2026.
- : Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 83.
- : Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
- : Signed by the President of the Senate.
- : Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
- : Received from the Senate without amendments.
- : Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
- : Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
- : Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- : Rules suspended. Reported favorably.
Votes
- Senate Vote on HB 697, FINAL PASSAGE (#460) (April 27, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote on HB 697, FINAL PASSAGE (#178) (March 30, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB697?
- HB697 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): SUNSET LAW: Re-creates the Department of Environmental Quality.
- What does HB697 do?
- In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 49:191(3)(b) and to repeal R.S. 49:191(1)(j), relative to the Department of Environmental Quality, including provisions to provide for the re-creation of the Department of Environmental Quality and the statutory entities made a part of the department by law; to provide for the effective termination date for all statutory authority for the existence of such statutory entities; and to provide for related matters.
- What is the status of HB697?
- Signed into law as of May 11, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 06/30/2026. (May 11, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB697?
- Geymann, Brett (R, 35).
- Where is the official record for HB697?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB697
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.