§ 36:358 — Offices; purposes and functions

§358. Offices; purposes and functions
A. The purposes for which the offices of the Department of Conservation and Energy
are created shall be as set forth in this Section.
B. The office of the executive office of the secretary shall be responsible for
assisting the secretary in the exercise of the functions and duties established in law of the
secretary. Among the divisions included within the executive office of the secretary shall
be the office of the natural resources commission to be headed by the deputy secretary and
the office of legal services to be headed by an attorney designated by the secretary.
(1) The office of the natural resources commission may provide any necessary direct
support to the natural resources commission. In addition, the office of the natural resources
commission shall provide intergovernmental affairs and communications support to the
commission and the department.
(2) The office of legal services shall provide general legal support for the department
and its offices, including specialized support for state lands, minerals, and water resources,
and shall oversee and administer the Saltwater and Oil Assessment Process as set forth in
law.
C. The office of administration shall be responsible for accounting and budget
control, procurement and contract management, data processing, management and program
analysis, information technology and geographic information systems, strategic planning, and
personnel management for the department and all of its offices, including the Natural
Resources Trust Authority, subject to R.S. 39:1 et seq.
D. The office of permitting and compliance shall perform all permitting and
compliance functions within the jurisdiction of the department consistent with law, including
Act No. 548 of the 2006 Regular Session of the Legislature.
E. The office of state resources shall:
(1) Perform the functions of the state relating to the lease of or other contracts for the
use of lands and water bottoms of the state for the development and production of minerals,
oil, and gas, storage, and other energy related activities and supervision of such mineral
leases and other agreements, in accordance with the law, including but not restricted to the
exercise of the option of the state to receive in kind the portion due to the state as royalty of
any minerals produced and severed from leased premises, and shall receive, administer, and
control royalties and other storage and energy related payments due to the state in accordance
with state law.
(2) Work in cooperation with the Center for Energy Studies to maintain current
surface and subsurface geological surveys of the state, or otherwise at the discretion of the
secretary or his designee; conduct geological mapping; prepare geological hazards
assessments and resource inventories; and conduct process investigations and related studies.
(3) Provide for the administration of state water bottom management, the issuance
of mineral, storage, and energy-related rights of way on state water bottoms and state lands,
and energy-related leasing of state water bottoms and state lands as further set forth in law,
including agreements related to the subsurface and above-ground storage of minerals, gasses,
and products on state water bottoms or lands and receipt, administration, and control of
payments due to the state under these agreements in accordance with state law. The secretary
and the commissioner of administration shall enter into and maintain a memorandum of
understanding regarding receipt, administration, and control of these payments to
memorialize necessary arrangements associated with funding their respective departments.
(4) Provide for the administration of groundwater, surface water, and other water
resources for quantity purposes, unless otherwise designated by the secretary following
adequate review set forth by rule.
F. The office of enforcement shall be responsible for the inspection of the regulated
community and the enforcement of laws and regulations within the jurisdiction of the
department consistent with Act No. 548 of the 2006 Regular Session of the Legislature.
G. The office of energy shall organize, plan, supervise, direct, administer, execute,
and be responsible for the functions and programs relating to the deployment and operation
of alternative energy infrastructure in this state in a manner that results in affordable and
reliable energy. The office of energy shall also work in cooperation with the Center for
Energy Studies to create and carry out a central, comprehensive, and unified energy data and
information program which will collect, evaluate, assemble, analyze, and disseminate data
and information which is relevant to energy resource reserves, energy production, demand,
and technology, and related economic and statistical information, or which is relevant to the
adequacy of energy resources to meet demands in the near and longer term future of the state.
The office of energy shall work to provide the department and the Natural Resources
Commission with technical assistance and expertise in matters related to energy and natural
resources and shall also work to identify policy options relative to energy related matters
upon request. Finally, the office of energy shall coordinate with academic and research
institutions who possess specialized expertise in areas related to energy and natural resources
on behalf of the department.
NOTE: See Acts 2009, No. 523, §§9 and 10, relative to transfer of duties and
responsibilities to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

Legislative History

Acts 1976, No. 513, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 83, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 1979, No. 449, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1980; Acts 1982, No. 698, §1; Acts 1983, No. 97, §7, eff. Feb. 1, 1984; Acts 1986, No. 581, §3, eff. July 2, 1986; Acts 1989, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 6, §1, eff. July 14, 1989; Acts 1995, No. 95, §1, eff. June 12, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 239, §2; Acts 2003, No. 49, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2009, No. 523, §1, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2023, No. 150, §10, eff. Jan. 10, 2024; Acts 2024, No. 727, §1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2025, No. 458, §4, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.