Bill > SB32

This bill establishes legal protections for agricultural producers, landowners, and suppliers who use gypsum as a soil amendment by limiting their liability under specific conditions. The bill recognizes gypsum as a manufacturing byproduct that can improve soil quality and provide essential plant nutrients, and aims to encourage its recycling and agricultural use. To qualify for liability protection, agricultural producers must obtain the gypsum at no cost from a manufacturing byproduct source, have the gypsum analyzed by an accredited laboratory to ensure it meets departmental standards (developed in consultation with LSU Agricultural Center), and use it only on their own land or with written landowner authorization. The standards for gypsum use will be based on the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Conservation Practice Standard and EPA regulatory requirements. The Louisiana commissioner is authorized to create detailed rules and regulations implementing these provisions, including establishing specific analytical tolerances for gypsum. By providing these liability protections, the bill seeks to promote the beneficial reuse of industrial gypsum in agriculture while ensuring environmental and safety standards are met.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=SB32&sbi=y