HLS 10RS-92 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 171
BY REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD
LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: (Constitutional Amendment) Prohibits introduction or
consideration of nonfiscal matters during sessions convening in odd-numbered years
A JOINT RESOLUTION1
Proposing to amend Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to2
prohibit introduction or consideration of matters not within certain subject matter3
restrictions during sessions convening in odd-numbered years; to provide for4
submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related5
matters.6
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members7
elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of8
Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to9
amend Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:10
§2. Sessions11
Section 2.(A) Annual Session.12
* * *13
(4)14
* * *15
(b) During any session convening in an odd-numbered year, no matter16
intended to have the effect of law, including any suspension of law, shall be17
introduced or considered unless its object is to enact the General Appropriation Bill;18
enact the comprehensive capital budget; make an appropriation; levy or authorize a19
new tax; increase an existing tax; levy, authorize, increase, decrease, or repeal a fee;20
dedicate revenue; legislate with regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions,21 HLS 10RS-92 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 171
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reductions, repeals, or credits; or legislate with regard to the issuance of bonds. In1
addition, a matter intended to have the effect of law, including a measure proposing2
a suspension of law, which is not within the subject matter restrictions provided in3
this Subparagraph may be considered at any such session if:4
(i) It is prefiled no later than the deadline provided in Subparagraph (2) of5
this Paragraph, provided that the member shall not prefile more than five such6
matters pursuant to this Subsubparagraph; or7
(ii) Its object is to enact a local or special law which is required to be and has8
been advertised in accordance with Section 13 of this Article and which is not9
prohibited by the provisions of Section 12 of this Article.10
* * *11
Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted12
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 2,13
2010.14
Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at said election15
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted16
to vote FOR or AGAINST, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall17
read as follows:18
To prohibit the legislature from considering matters not related to19
appropriations, the capital budget, taxes, fees, revenue, and bonds during20
sessions in odd-numbered years. (Amends Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b))21
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Richard HB No. 171
Abstract: Prohibits the introduction or consideration of matters not related to
appropriations, the capital budget, taxes, fees, revenue, and bonds during sessions
convening in odd-numbered years.
Present constitution (Art. III, §2) provides for regular sessions of the legislature. Provides
time limitations and procedures for filing bills. HLS 10RS-92 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 171
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are additions.
Present constitution provides that regular sessions convening in even-numbered years are
general in nature. Prohibits the introduction or enactment of any measure levying or
authorizing a new tax by the state or by any statewide political subdivision whose boundaries
are coterminous with the state; increasing an existing tax by the state or by any statewide
political subdivision whose boundaries are coterminous with the state; or legislating with
regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, or credits during a regular session held in
an even-numbered year.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution.
Present constitution provides that during any session convening in an odd-numbered year,
no matter intended to have the effect of law, including any suspension of law, shall be
introduced or considered unless its object is to enact the General Appropriation Bill; enact
the comprehensive capital budget; make an appropriation; levy or authorize a new tax;
increase an existing tax; levy, authorize, increase, decrease, or repeal a fee; dedicate revenue;
legislate with regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, reductions, repeals, or
credits; or legislate with regard to the issuance of bonds. However, provides that a matter
not within these subject matter restrictions may be considered if:
(1)It is prefiled no later than the deadline provided in present constitution; no member
may prefile more than five such matters; or
(2)Its object is to enact a local or special law which is required to be and has been
advertised in accordance with present constitution and which is not prohibited by the
provisions of present constitution concerning prohibited local and special laws.
Proposed constitutional amendment repeals the exceptions for the filing of matters not
within the subject matter restrictions of present constitution for sessions convening in odd-
numbered years. Otherwise retains present constitution.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Nov. 2, 2010.
(Amends Const. Art. III, §2(A)(4)(b))