ENROLLEDHCAHB670 Regular4448 Session3227 HOUSE BILLCOMMITTEE NO.AMENDMENTS Regular Session AmendmentsproposedbyHouseCommitteeonAppropriationstoEngrossedHouseBillNo.

670by BYRepresentative REPRESENTATIVESOwen OWEN,AMENDMENT ADAMS,NO. BAYHAM, BILLINGS, EDMONSTON, EGAN, FIRMENT, HORTON, SCHAMERHORN, TAYLOR, AND WALTERS 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.

51:955.11 On page 2, line 14, after "forestry" and 955.2,before relative"residues" insert a comma "'," and "biomass, including but not limited to woodforest pelletand manufacturing;agriculture residues, thinnings, and storm damaged" Page 1 of 1 CODING:

to provideforlegislativefindingsandpurpose;toprovidefordefinitions;toprovidefor permissions of Louisiana Economic Development;

to provide incentives for wood pellet manufacturing;

and to provide for related matters.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:

Section1.

PartIVofChapter3ofTitle51oftheLouisianaRevisedStatutesof1950, comprised of R.S.

51:955.1 and 955.2, is hereby enacted to read as follows:

PART IV.

LOUISIANA WOOD PELLET MANUFACTURING STRENGTHENING ACT §955.1.

Findings;

purpose A.

The legislature herebyfinds and declares that the wood pellet and wood derived fuel manufacturing industries represent a significant economic opportunity forthisstate,leveragingthisstate'sabundantforestresources,world-classdeepwater port facilities, and extensive rail network to serve growinginternational demand for renewablebiomassfuel.

Woodpelletandwoodderivedfuelsmanufacturingcreates high-quality jobs in rural communities, supports the forestry sector, and diversifies this state's economy.

The legislature further finds that the current regulatory framework, while serving important environmental and public safetypurposes, was not designed with the specific characteristics of these industries in mind and may Page 1 of 3 CODING:

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HB NO.

670 ENROLLED impose unnecessaryburdensata time when international demand,particularlyfrom European power generators and fuel users seeking alternative sources of fuel, is growing.

B.

It is thepurposeofthis Actto establishthis stateasapremierlocationfor wood pellet and 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 facilitating the efficient transportation and export of wood pellets and wood derived fuels through this state's port facilities, therebyenabling this state to capture a significant share of the growing international market, create jobs, support rural communities, and strengthen this state's economy.

§955.2.

Wood pellet manufacturing;

definitions;

priority industry;

port access A.

As used in this Part, "wood pellet manufacturing" means the production of compressed biomass pellets from forestry, biomass, including but not limited to forest and agriculture residues, thinnings, and storm damaged residues for export or domestic use, including those supplying fuel markets driven by new and transformative sources of power generation.

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.

B.LouisianaEconomicDevelopmentmaysupporttherecruitment,retention, and expansion of wood pellet manufacturing facilities in this state within existing statutory authority and subject to the availability of funds, and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, may develop policies, guidance, or program criteriaconsistentwithexistingeconomicdevelopmentprograms,whenappropriate and within existing authority, including but not limited to the following:

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

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

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

(4) Establishingsitereadinesscriteriaforwoodpelletandwoodderivedfuel manufacturing.

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

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

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED: