Louisiana HB 1098 Now a Law: Signed as Act No. 874 (June 2026)

Note: This post is for general informational purposes and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Louisiana has moved House Bill 1098 forward as a completed law—signed into law as Act No. 874 in June 2026. The measure creates significant civil immunity protections for certain aerospace companies, potentially affecting how and when residents can pursue claims related to rocket activity.

Because personal injury and property damage cases depend heavily on what legal claims are allowed, it’s important for nearby residents to understand what the law changes.

What Act No. 874 / HB 1098 Does

Act No. 874 would limit lawsuits against covered aerospace entities arising from certain disturbances and nuisances connected to aerospace operations. The law targets claims involving impacts such as:

Visual disturbances
Noise
Environmental disturbances (including smoke and odors)
Sonic booms and related property nuisance claims
Certain trespassing-related civil claims

The statute also extends protections to owners, employees, and contractors associated with the covered aerospace flight entity.

Civil Immunity: What Residents May Be Blocked From Claiming

Under the law, the covered aerospace flight entity would have immunity from certain civil actions tied to disturbances and nuisances such as:

Trespassing
Smoke
Odors
Sonic booms
Other property nuisances

Practical effect: If a lawsuit is grounded in one of the categories the statute immunizes, a court may dismiss the claim unless an exception applies.

Flight Crew / Passenger Injury Protections

The law would also shield covered aerospace companies from liability for injuries to:

Flight crew members, and
Passengers who choose to fly with them

This does not necessarily eliminate all liability in every scenario, but it can raise major barriers to recovery depending on the facts.

Exceptions: When the Immunity Would Not Apply

Act No. 874 includes exceptions. Based on the bill language you provided, the immunity limitations do not apply to the following:

Gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct of the aerospace flight entity
Intentional injury caused by the aerospace flight entity to the aerospace flight participant
A violation of a condition of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) license, experimental permit, or federal authorization
Injury to persons or property caused by falling debris that exceeds the normal risk associated with aerospace flight activities

Practical takeaway: Even under a general immunity framework, a claim may still proceed if it fits within one of these exception categories.

Who Is Covered: The 20,000-Acre Threshold

The protections apply only to aerospace companies that:

own and occupy at least 20,000 contiguous acres in Louisiana

Legislators indicated the intent is to cover major aerospace efforts planned in Louisiana—without necessarily applying universally to every contractor or entity associated with aerospace activity.

Why This Law Is Controversial

Act No. 874 is controversial because nearby residents sometimes allege harm from launch activity—such as noise/shock waves causing structural damage or other property impacts.

While supporters argue the law is necessary to compete and encourage investment, critics argue it may shift the risk of harms away from aerospace companies and onto Louisiana residents—especially when claims relate to nuisance-like disturbances.

If You Were Injured or Your Property Was Damaged: Next Steps

If you believe rocket activity caused injury or damage, consider:

Document immediately (photos/videos, timeline of events, witness info)
Preserve evidence (inspection reports, repair estimates, communications)
Get an independent property evaluation when applicable
Consult counsel promptly
Legal deadlines can be strict, and Act No. 874 may affect available claims.

If you were hurt or your property was damaged in Louisiana due to aerospace activity, Act No. 874 (HB 1098) may affect what legal claims are available—especially if immunity is raised by the defense.

Welborn & Hargett
📞 337-234-5533