Governor Bobby Jindal signed SB 469 legislation that will help continue coastal restoration work and stop unnecessary, frivolous lawsuits. The bill is part of Governor Jindal’s 2014 Legislative Package.
The Governor signed SB 469 to clarify that only entities authorized under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) may bring litigation to assert claims arising out of permitted activities. These parties include parishes and the state. It further requires that dollars recovered through CZMA litigation must be spent on coastal restoration.
This law ensures that the state’s coastal master plan and the collaborative work of the state and the parishes on coastal restoration are not threatened with lawsuits.
Governor Jindal said: “This bill will help stop frivolous lawsuits and create a more fair and predictable legal environment, and I am proud to sign it into law. It further improves Louisiana’s legal environment by reducing unnecessary claims that burden businesses so that we can bring even more jobs to our state. The bill will also send future recovered dollars from CZMA litigation to coastal projects, allowing us to ensure Louisiana coastal lands are preserved and that our communities are protected.”
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Press Release, June 9, 2014