Louisiana 2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

SB 490 — ENERGY DEVELOPMENT: Provides for private use electrical networks. (gov sig)

Last action — Rules suspended. Called from the Calendar.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 31, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill allows private electrical networks for individual users, operating outside public utility regulations.

This bill creates a framework for private electrical networks designed to generate and manage electricity for specific large customers. It defines such networks as nonutility and sets parameters for their operation and interconnection with existing utilities.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This bill may create more job opportunities in the industrial and digital sectors by enabling self-managed electricity solutions.

Summary

This bill allows for the development of private electrical networks for individual use. It aims to enable users to generate and manage their own electricity independent from public utility systems.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

150 added · 52 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the updated version of Bill SB 490, key changes clarify how private electrical networks are defined and regulated. Specifically, it now specifies that these networks must commit at least 50% of their energy output to identified customers under long-term agreements to maintain their status as non-public utilities. This emphasis on the contractual commitment matters because it helps to establish clear guidelines for what constitutes a private electrical network, potentially making it easier for such networks to operate without heavy regulatory scrutiny.

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SLS 26RS-1513 ORIGINAL Regular Session SENATE BILL NO.
SLS 26RS-1513 ENGROSSED Regular Session SENATE BILL NO.
(b) Are used primarily to serve the electricity requirements of one or Page 1 of 4 Coding:
(b)Areprimarilydedicatedtoservingtheelectricityrequirementsofone Page 1 of 6 Coding:
SLS 26RS-1513 ORIGINAL SB NO.
SLS 26RS-1513 ENGROSSED SB NO.
490 more identified load customers.
490 or more identified load customers.
(3) "Primarily dedicated" means that, measured on a rolling twelve- month basis, and notwithstanding deviations resulting from scheduled maintenance, force majeure, customer commissioning, or customer ramp-up, at least fifty percent of either the annual net electrical energy output of the private use electrical network, or the contract nameplate capacity of the network, is committed to serving one or more identified load customers under a written agreement with an initial term of five years or greater.
A private use electrical network shall not be deemed a public utility, and the owner or operator thereof shall not be subject to regulation by the Louisiana Public Service Commission as a public utility, solely because the network satisfies one or more of the following:
For purposes of this Section, retail sale of electricityshall not include the delivery or sale of electricity from a private use electrical network, or its owner or operator, to an identified load customer that is served by that network, regardless of the form of the commercial arrangement, including without limitation a power purchase agreement, energy services agreement, lease, tolling agreement, or affiliate transaction.
C.
A private use electrical network shall not be deemed a public utility.
The owner or operator thereof shall not be subject to regulation by the LouisianaPublicServiceCommissionasapublicutilityandshallnotbesubject to any exclusive retail franchise, certificated service territory, or retail service right of any electric public utility, electric cooperative, or municipal electric provider, solely because the network satisfies one or more of the following:
(3) Maintains an interconnection with an electric utility for backup service, reliability service, emergency service, maintenance service, or export of surplus electricity.
(3) Maintains an interconnection with an electric utility for backup service, reliability service, emergency service, maintenance service, or export Page 2 of 6 Coding:
(4) Participates in any wholesale market, ancillary service, emergency service, or reliability programadministered by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator or any successor regional transmission organization.
Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
C.Themaintenanceofbackuputilityservice,standbyservice,orexport capabilityshallnotalterthestatusofaprivateuseelectricalnetworkunderthis Section.
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SLS 26RS-1513 ENGROSSED SB NO.
490 of surplus electricity.
(4) Participates in any wholesale market, ancillary service, capacity market, emergency service, or reliability program administered by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator or any successor regional transmission organization.
The export of electricity from a private use electrical network shall notcausesuchnetworktobedeemedapublicutility,providedthatthenetwork is primarily dedicated to serving one or more identified load customers.
Participation by a private use electrical network in any wholesale market, ancillary service, capacity market, emergency service, or reliability program administered by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator or any successor regional transmission organization shall not cause the network, its output, or any portion thereof to be characterized as a public utility service or retail sale.
The maintenanceofbackup utilityservice,standbyservice,orexport capabilityshallnotalterthestatusofaprivateuseelectricalnetworkunderthis Section.
F.
The export of electricity from a private use electrical network shall notcausesuchnetworktobedeemedapublicutility,providedthatthenetwork is primarily dedicated to serving one or more identified load customers.
G.
Section2.TheLouisianaPublicServiceCommissionshalladoptrulesinaccordance with theprovisions of this Actno laterthanonehundredeightydays aftertheeffectivedate, Page 2 of 4 Coding:
H.Uponreceiptofacompleteinterconnectionapplicationfromaprivate use electrical network for backup, standby, reliability, or export service, the interconnecting electric utility shall complete all required interconnection studies and execute an interconnection agreement within one hundred eighty days.
Failure by the utility to act within such period shall entitle the applicant to petition the commission foran ordercompelling interconnection on just and reasonable terms.
I.
A declaration of nonjurisdiction issued by the commission pursuant tothisSection,ordeemed issued pursuant toSubsection Kof thisSection,shall Page 3 of 6 Coding:
SLS 26RS-1513 ORIGINAL SB NO.
SLS 26RS-1513 ENGROSSED SB NO.
490 that shall include but not be limited to:
490 be binding on the commission and all parties, shall not be subject to collateral attack, and shall survive any subsequent change in the ownership, financing, affiliate structure, or customer identity of the private use electrical network, provided that the private use electrical network continues to satisfy the definition set forth in Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section and remains primarily dedicated to serving one or more identified load customers.
(1)Anexpeditedprocessforissuanceofadeclarationofnonjurisdictionforaprivate use electrical network.
The commission mayrevokesuchdeclarationonlyupon afinding, afternoticeandhearing,that the network no longer satisfies these requirements.
(2) A requirement that the commission issue a determination within thirty days of receipt of a complete application, which shall be deemed approved if the commission fails to act within such period.
J.
An applicant for a declaration of nonjurisdiction under this Section may request confidential treatment of the identity of any identified load customer prior to public announcement of the project and may request power purchase agreementpricing andcommercialtermssubmittedin support of the application.
The commission shall grant such requests upon a showing that publicdisclosurewouldcausecompetitiveharmtotheapplicantoritscustomer.
The commission shall not publicly disclose information granted confidential treatment under this Subsection.
K.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission shall adopt rules in accordancewiththeprovisionsofthisSectionnolaterthanonehundred eighty days after the effective date of this Act, that shall include but not be limited to:
(1)Anexpeditedprocessforissuanceofadeclarationofnonjurisdiction for a private use electrical network.
(2) A requirement that the commission issue a determination within thirtydaysofreceiptofacompleteapplication,whichshallbedeemedapproved if the commission fails to act within such period.
Section 3.
Section 2.
This Act shall become effective upon signature bythe governor or, if not signedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
This Act shall become effective upon signature bythe governor or, if not signedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature Page 4 of 6 Coding:
Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
SLS 26RS-1513 ENGROSSED SB NO.
Show all 71 changed rows (31 more)
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490 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared bySenate Legislative Services.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 490 Original 2026 Regular Session Hensgens Proposed law provides for private use electrical networks, defined as generation, storage, and related electrical facilities that are located on contiguous, adjacent, or commonly controlled property, that serve one or more customers, and that provide power through privately-owned facilities.
1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 490 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Hensgens Proposed law provides for private use electrical networks, defined as generation, storage, and related electrical facilities that are located on contiguous, adjacent, or commonly controlledproperty,thatisprimarilydedicatedtoservingtheelectricityrequirementsofone or more customers, and that provide power through privately-owned facilities.
Proposed law provides that a private use electrical network is not a public utility and not subject to Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) regulation based solely on its customer load, operator, interconnection, or MISO program participation.
Proposed law defines "primarilydedicated" as a private use electrical network in which, on a twelve-month basis, at least 50% of its energy output or capacityis committed to serving oneormoreidentifiedcustomersunderwrittenagreementswith aninitial term of five years or more, excluding deviations resulting from scheduled maintenance, force majeure, customer commissioning, or customers ramp-up.
Proposed law provides that the retail sale of electricityshall not include the deliveryor sale of electricityfrom a private use electrical network to an identified load customer served by the network, regardless of the type of commercial arrangement.
Proposed law provides that a private use electrical network is not a public utility and not subject to Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) regulation based solely on its customer load, operator, interconnection, or Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) program participation.
Proposed law requires LPSC to adopt rules in accordance with proposed law no later than 180daysaftertheeffectivedatetoprovideanexpeditedprocessforissuanceofadeclaration of nonjurisdiction, to require LPSC to issue a determination within 30 days of application Page 3 of 4 Coding:
Proposed law provides that participation by a private use electrical network in wholesale markets, ancillary service, capacity market, emergency service, or reliability programs administered by the MISO or any successor regional transmission organization shall not cause the network's services to be considered a public utility service or retail sale.
Proposed law requires electric utilities to complete interconnection studies and execute an agreementwithin 180 days of receiptof a complete application from a private use electrical networkandauthorizestheapplicanttoseekcommissionactioniftheutilityfailstocomply.
Proposed law provides that a declaration of nonjurisdiction issued by the commission is binding, not subjectto collateralattack, andremainseffectivedespitechangesin ownership or structure, as long as the network continues to meet statutory requirements.
Further Page 5 of 6 Coding:
SLS 26RS-1513 ORIGINAL SB NO.
SLS 26RS-1513 ENGROSSED SB NO.
490 receipt, and to create nondiscriminatory tariffs and interconnection procedures for backup, standby, maintenance, and export service.
490 providesthatthecommission mayrevokethedeclarationonlyafternoticeandhearingupon a finding that the network no longer satisfies the requirements of proposed law.
Proposed law authorizes applicants for a declaration of nonjurisdiction to request confidential treatment of customer identities and commercial terms and requires the commissiontogranttherequestsuponashowingofcompetitiveharm.Furtherprovidesthat thecommissionshallnotpubliclydiscloseinformationgrantedconfidentialtreatmentunder proposed law.
Proposed law requires LPSC to adopt rules in accordance with proposed law no later than 180daysaftertheeffectivedatetoprovideanexpeditedprocessforissuanceofadeclaration of nonjurisdiction, to require LPSC to issue a determination within 30 days of application receipt, and to create nondiscriminatory tariffs and interconnection procedures for backup, standby, maintenance, and export service.
45:1231.1) Page 4 of 4 Coding:
45:1231.1) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate Committee Amendments Proposed bySenate Committee on Commerce,Consumer Protection, and International Affairs to the original bill 1.
Defines the term "primarily dedicated".
2.
Provides that retail sale of electricity shall not include delivery or sale of electricity from a private use electrical network to an identified load customers.
3.
Provides that wholesale market participation by a private use electrical network shall not cause the network's services to be considered a public utility or retail sale.
4.
Requires upon receipt of electric utilities to complete an interconnection studyandexecuteaninterconnectionagreementwithin180daysofreceiving a complete interconnectionagreementfrom a private use electricalnetwork.
5.
Allows an applicant to petition the commission if utility fails to complete study or execute agreement.
6.
Providesthatnonjurisdictiondeterminationsarebindingandremaineffective unless the statutory requirements are not met.
7.
Provides for confidentiality of the identity of any identified lead customer prior to information being made public upon competitive harm.
8.
Makes technical changes.
Page 6 of 6 Coding:
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Amendments

4 amendments

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Action History

  1. Rules suspended. Called from the Calendar.

  2. Senate floor amendments read and adopted.

  3. Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.

  4. Senate floor amendments read and adopted.

  5. Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.

  6. Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

  7. Reported with amendments.

  8. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs.

  9. Rules suspended. Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 146 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

energy
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 490 do?
This bill allows for the development of private electrical networks for individual use. It aims to enable users to generate and manage their own electricity independent from public utility systems.
Who sponsors SB 490?
SB 490 is sponsored by Bob Hensgens (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 490?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 31, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 490?
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