Rep. Mike Johnson's bill to protect Louisiana landowners stalls in house committee amid heated debate

March 31, 2026

Rep. Mike Johnson (R) center, presents arguments for passage of bill to repeal a 2020 law allowing carbon capture companies to use eminent domain for storage and transport of CO2. He is joined by Woody Jenkins left, prominent Louisiana conservative Republican activist and former state legislator, as well as Paul Hurd right, a constitutional attorney who supports the bill.

BATON ROUGE, La. (MasseyProductions.net)–A contentious hearing on Representative Mike Johnson’s proposed legislation, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act (House Bill 7), ended in defeat after an intense four-hour debate. The bill, which sought to repeal a controversial 2020 law granting companies the power to seize private land through eminent domain for the transport and storage of carbon dioxide, was voted down 12 to 7 by members of the House Natural Resources Committee.

The overflow crowd that packed the legislative chambers witnessed a sharp division over the bill, reflecting the polarized views surrounding carbon capture and the protection of private property rights. Johnson (R-District 27, Pineville), a vocal advocate for landowners, argued that the 2020 law—passed amid growing interest in carbon capture as a means to address climate change—gave too much power to private corporations at the expense of Louisiana’s citizens.

Key Provisions of HB 7

House Bill 7 was designed to protect landowners from what Johnson and his supporters viewed as an overreach by private corporations. The bill sought to:

• Repeal expropriation authority: It would eliminate the ability of private companies to seize land through eminent domain for the transport and storage of carbon dioxide, particularly for geologic sequestration projects.

• Prohibit private entity expropriation: The bill would explicitly prohibit the use of eminent domain by private companies engaged in the transport and sequestration of carbon dioxide.

• Remove state-issued certificates: It would remove the authority of the Louisiana Department of Energy and Conservation (DEQ) to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity for carbon dioxide pipelines, which were previously required for certain infrastructure projects related to carbon capture.

• End unitization for storage facilities: The bill would also remove the authority to mandate unit operations for carbon dioxide storage facilities, another aspect of the 2020 law that opponents argued could infringe on private property rights.

  
  

Johnson framed the bill as a necessary measure to prevent "corporate overreach" and protect the interests of rural landowners, many of whom felt blindsided by the previous law's provisions, which could force them to allow carbon dioxide pipelines and sequestration facilities on their land without their consent.

Contentious Hearing and Divided Opinions

The debate in the committee hearing was heated, with passionate arguments on both sides. Supporters of the bill, including farmers, ranchers, and property rights advocates, argued that private companies should not be allowed to take land by force for projects that they did not directly benefit from.

“We cannot allow private corporations to come into our communities and take land from hardworking Louisiana families,” said Rep. Johnson during his testimony. “This bill is about standing up for our landowners and ensuring that their rights are respected.”

However, opponents of HB 7, including some environmental groups and proponents of the carbon capture initiative, argued that the repeal of the 2020 law would undermine efforts to address climate change. They emphasized that carbon sequestration and pipeline infrastructure are critical to the state’s broader environmental and economic goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting federal environmental standards.

Why the Bill Was Defeated

Despite Johnson's strong support and the emotional testimony of landowners, HB 7 faced significant opposition from those who argued that halting carbon sequestration efforts would have negative consequences for Louisiana's economy and its role in the fight against climate change.

The Natural Resources Committee’s vote was split, with 12 members voting against the bill and 7 voting in favor, signaling a lack of consensus within the legislature on the issue. The defeat was particularly notable given the growing national focus on climate change mitigation strategies, including carbon capture and storage.

Several key factors contributed to the bill’s failure:

1. Economic Considerations: Critics warned that repealing the law would hinder investments in carbon capture technology, which they argue is vital to achieving Louisiana's environmental goals while maintaining its economic competitiveness.

2. Environmental Pushback: Environmental advocates argued that carbon capture could play an essential role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the state's energy industry could be a significant player in these efforts.

3. Lack of Clear Alternatives: While supporters of the bill presented strong arguments for property rights, there was little discussion about viable alternatives for carbon sequestration infrastructure in the absence of the law.

   
   

The committee's decision to reject HB 7 sets up what is likely to be a continued debate in the coming weeks, as lawmakers weigh the competing interests of landowners, businesses, and environmentalists.

Looking Ahead

Although HB 7 has been defeated in committee, Rep. Johnson has indicated that he will continue to push for greater protections for landowners, including possible amendments to the existing law or future legislative action. Meanwhile, proponents of carbon capture initiatives are expected to double down on efforts to educate the public and lawmakers about the importance of these projects for Louisiana’s long-term environmental and economic health.

As Louisiana grapples with balancing property rights with the need to address climate change, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act’s defeat highlights the complexity and divisiveness of these issues in the state’s legislature.

All facts in this report were gathered by Joel Massey based on the testimony during the March 31, 2026, Natural Resources & Environment Committee hearing in the Louisiana legislature. An artificial intelligence tool (ChatGPT) was used to reformat information using direct quotes from the hearing and the text of House Bill 7 into a news article for MasseyProductions.net. This report was edited and fact-checked before being published.