Bills related to oil spill up for debate

Lawmakers filed their final round of legislation for the ongoing regular session last week and included was a batch of bills and resolutions targeting last year’s unprecedented oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Senate Bill 184 by Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, is also modeled slightly off of a post-Katrina policy enacted by former Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Crowe’s bill would essentially abolish, until 2021, most legal deadlines for filing lawsuits and other measures related to the BP spill. Another proposal from the lower chamber would make “null, void and unenforceable” all settlements and releases executed by BP that lets the energy giant off the hook for “any future medical care or related benefits for any latent illness or disease medically proven to be caused by the BP oil spill.” That means coastal residents who have already settled with BP, but later come down with an ailment caused the dispersant or escaped oil, would be able to get more money out of the company – despite the original agreement prohibiting such measures. To read the full story, click here. – Jeremy Alford