LA HB731

Enacts R.S. 30:554.1 to establish that conventional pipeline servitudes are governed solely by the express terms of the contract, prohibiting courts from imposing implied obligations from Louisiana Civil Code provisions on personal servitudes (usufruct) and predial servitudes

Defines "pipeline" broadly to include gathering, transmission, and distribution lines for transporting natural gas, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, crude oil, petroleum products, produced water, and other regulated substances, whether onshore or offshore

Defines "pipeline operator" as any person or entity that owns, operates, maintains, or controls a pipeline

Applies both prospectively and retroactively to all claims and causes of action not yet resolved by settlement or judicial award before the effective date

Declares the provisions are interpretive of original legislative intent rather than a substantive change in law, overriding Civil Code Article 645 and related servitude provisions