Rural Roots Louisiana and Louisiana Bucket Brigade v. Ascension Parish

At a Glance

Date Filed: 

December 10, 2025

Current Status 

Petitioners sued Ascension Parish to compel the government to release records on December 10, 2025. On May 18, 2026, the court ruled in plaintiffs' favor and ordered the Parish to produce the requested records within five days and awarded attorneys' fees. The court also allowed the plaintiffs to supplement their petition with an additional request for records from the Parish Industrial Development Board. The Parish sought and was granted a suspensive appeal, which allows it to withhold the records until an appellate court rules on the appeal.

 

Co-Counsel 

Bill Quigley

Client(s) 

Rural Roots Louisiana

Louisiana Bucket Brigade

Case Description 

Facing another threatened industrial buildout in the heart of Louisiana's Cancer Alley, Rural Roots Louisiana and Louisiana Bucket Brigade brought a public records case against Ascension Parish government. The groups seek to obtain Non-Disclosure Agreements signed by local officials with the Louisiana Office of Economic Development and Hyundai Steel that require them to maintain secrecy about the industrial development projects. The Parish withheld the NDAs claiming they were confidential and exempt under a controversial amendment to the Public Records Law passed in 2024. 

Case Timeline

May 18, 2025
Court rules in plaintiffs' favor
May 18, 2025
Court rules in plaintiffs' favor
After a hearing on the matter and after reviewing the records plaintiffs sought, the court ruled in plaintiffs' favor that the Parish must produce the records within five days and granted attorneys' fees. The court also allowed plaintiffs to supplement the case with an additional request for records from the Parish Industrial Review Board.
December 10, 2025
Petition Filed
December 10, 2025
Petition Filed
Petitioners sue Ascension Parish to release records of non-disclosure agreements between parish and state officials and private companies.