Louisiana § RS 49:3.1 - Legislative intent and purpose

§ RS 49:3.1. Legislative intent and purpose

A.  The gulfward boundary of the state of Louisiana historically consists of three marine leagues, and it is the intent of the Legislature of Louisiana that this historic gulfward boundary be recognized and enforced as law.

B.  The unequal gulfward boundaries of Gulf Coast states set forth by the United States Supreme Court in United States of America v. States of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, 363 U.S. 1 (1960), have resulted in (1) economic disparity and hardship for Louisiana citizens and entities; (2) economic loss to the state of Louisiana and its political subdivisions; and (3) the inability of the state of Louisiana and its political subdivisions to fully exercise their powers and duties under the federal and state constitutions and state laws and ordinances, including but not limited to protection and restoration of coastal lands, waters, and natural resources, and regulation of activities affecting them.

C.  It is the further intent of the Legislature of Louisiana that, in light of the continuing effects of coastal erosion, subsidence, and land loss, the coastline of Louisiana should be recognized as consisting of at least and not less than that coastline defined by the coordinates set forth in United States v. Louisiana, 422 U.S. 13 (1975), Exhibit "A".

D.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the jurisdiction of the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision thereof shall not extend to the boundaries recognized herein until the U.S. Congress acknowledges the boundary described herein by an Act of Congress or any litigation resulting from the passage of Acts 2011, No. 336 with respect to the legal boundary of the state is resolved and a final non-appealable judgment is rendered.

Acts 2011, No. 336, §1.