Lawmakers Dedicate Oil Spill Fines to Louisiana Coast

BATON ROUGE — Fine and penalty money the state receives because of the Gulf Coast oil spill will be earmarked to Louisiana's coastal protection fund, under a bill that received final legislative passage.

The measure by Jeanerette Rep. Simone Champagne deals with money that could be received by the state for violations of federal pollution standards, a figure that could total billions of dollars. The coastal protection fund, where the money would be placed, is used for coastal restoration projects and hurricane protection efforts.

Champagne's proposal got the backing of the House and Senate on Monday, before the legislative session ended. It heads to the governor's desk.