A bill that would have prevented companies from using eminent domain to seize land for carbon capture projects was defeated in committee after a contentious hearing at the Louisiana State Capitol. The Landowner Protection Act, authored by Speaker Pro-Tempore Mike Johnson, would have prohibited oil and gas companies from taking over land for such projects if landowners refuse to sell. Rural residents testified against current law allowing companies to use expropriation powers as a last resort. The bill was struck down by the House Natural Resources Committee and given an involuntary deferral, ending its chances this session. A lawsuit challenging the current law that gives companies power to expropriate land is moving forward.