Committee backs bill to transfer dried lake-bed surface rights in Webster, Bienville parishes

The Committee on Natural Resources voted May 14, 2025, to report House Bill 154 favorably, a measure that would allow the state to transfer surface rights in certain dried lake-bed lands in Webster and Bienville parishes to the current record titleholders.

Representative Hill told the committee the bill is “a straightforward property clarification bill concerning dried lake bed lands in Webster and Bienville Parish around Lake Vista.” He said the affected lands sit between the 148.6-foot elevation line and the current ordinary high-water mark and “are no longer part of the active water body.”

The bill, as described by Hill, would permit the state to transfer surface rights to individuals who currently hold title and in many cases have paid taxes and maintained the land for generations. Hill said the proposal would “preserve the mineral rights for the state,” and that the transfer process would be administered through the Commissioner of Administration with legal boundaries and “no cost to the state.” Justin Hill of the State Land Office identified himself and offered technical assistance during questions.

Senator Jenkins moved to report HB 154 favorably; the committee recorded no objections and approved the motion.

The bill aims to resolve long-standing title ambiguities where historical mapping or classification left the surface title with the state despite private use and tax payments. The committee did not specify implementation timeline beyond routing the bill for further legislative consideration.

The committee vote was recorded as a favorable report with no objections; no roll-call tally was provided in the transcript.