HB 670 — ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Provides relative to wood pellet manufacturing (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

HLSENROLLED 26RS-180 REENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.

670 BY REPRESENTATIVES OWENOWEN, ADAMS, BAYHAM, BILLINGS, EDMONSTON, EGAN, FIRMENT, HORTON, SCHAMERHORN, TAYLOR, AND SCHAMERHORNWALTERS ECONOMICAN DEVELOPMENT:ACT To enact Part IV of Chapter 3 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S.

Provides relative to wood pellet manufacturing AN ACT To enact Part IV of Chapter 3 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S.

The legislature herebyherebyfinds finds and declares that the wood pellet manufacturingindustryrepresentsand awood significantderived economicfuel opportunityformanufacturing thisindustries state,represent leveraginga thissignificant state'seconomic abundantopportunity forestforthisstate,leveragingthisstate'sabundantforestresources,world-classdeepwater resources, world-class deepwater port facilities, and extensive rail network to serve growinggrowinginternational international demand for renewablerenewablebiomassfuel. biomass fuel.

WoodWoodpelletandwoodderivedfuelsmanufacturingcreates pellet manufacturing creates high-quality jobs in rural communities, supports theforestrysector,andthe forestry sector, and diversifies this state's economy.

The legislature further finds that the current regulatory framework, while serving important environmental and public safetysafetypurposes, purposes, was not designed with the specific characteristics of these industries in mind and may Page 1 of 43 CODING:

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670 specificENROLLED characteristicsimpose ofunnecessaryburdensata woodtime pelletwhen manufacturinginternational indemand,particularlyfrom mind and may impose unnecessaryburdensonthisemergingindustryatatimewheninternationaldemand, particularly from European power generators and fuel users seeking alternative sources of fuel, is growing.

It is thepurposeofthis ActActto to establishthis stateasapremierlocationfor wood pellet manufacturingbystreamliningand wood derived fuels manufacturing by streamlining permitting processes while maintaining appropriate environmental safeguards, developing a skilled workforce to meet the industry's employment needs, and facilitatingtheefficienttransportationandexportfacilitating the efficient transportation and export of wood pellets and wood derived fuels through this state's port facilities, therebytherebyenabling enabling this state to capture a significant share of the growing international market, create jobs, support rural communities, and strengthen this state's economy.

As used in this Part, "wood derived biofuel"meanstheproductionoffuelsfrom forestryresidues for export or domestic use, and the associated handling and processing of forestry residues as may be required in the production of fuel.

(1) Prioritizing and enhancing job creation incentives for wood pellet and wood derived fuel manufacturing facilities.

(3)Page Coordinating2 withof ports3 regardingCODING: infrastructure needs associated with wood pellet manufacturing cargo.

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670 (4)ENROLLED Establishing(3) siteCoordinating readinesswith criteriaports forregarding infrastructure needs associated with wood pellet manufacturing.manufacturing cargo.

(4) Establishingsitereadinesscriteriaforwoodpelletandwoodderivedfuel manufacturing.

DIGEST(6) ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislativePrioritizing Services.wood pellet and wood derived fuel cargo for loading, docking, and processing at state ports.

ItSPEAKER constitutesOF nopartTHE ofHOUSE theOF legislativeREPRESENTATIVES instrument.PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

ThePage keyword,3 one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the3 lawCODING: or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 670 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Owen Abstract:

PermitsLouisianaEconomicDevelopmenttosupporttherecruitment,retention, and expansion of wood pellet manufacturing facilities in this state within existing statutory authority and subject to the availability of funds.

Proposed law provides for legislative findings and intent.

Proposed law defines "wood pellet manufacturing".

Proposed law directs Louisiana Economic Development to support the recruitment, retention,andexpansionofwoodpelletmanufacturingfacilitiesinthisstatewithin existing statutoryauthorityandsubjecttotheavailabilityoffunds,andto developpolicies,guidance, or program criteria consistent with existing economic development programs, when appropriate and within existing authority including but not limited to the following:

(1) Prioritizing and enhancing job creation incentives for wood pellet manufacturing facilities.

(2) Establishing workforce development and training initiatives for wood pellet manufacturing facilities.

(3) Coordinating with ports regarding infrastructure needs associated with wood pellet manufacturing cargo.

(4) Establishing site readiness criteria for wood pellet manufacturing.

(5) Providing clear regulatory pathways for the development of wood pellet manufacturing facilities throughout this state.

(Adds R.S.

51:955.1 and 955.2) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the original bill:

1.

Make technical changes.

2.

Amend proposed law mandating that La.

Economic Development (LED) prioritize wood pellet manufacturing to permitting LED to support recruitment, retention, and expansion of wood pellet manufacturing facilities in this state within existing authorityand subject to the availabilityof funds, and to develop policies consistent with existing economic development programs, when appropriate and within existing authority.

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Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.

HLS 26RS-180 REENGROSSED HB NO.