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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 add Article III, Section 2(A)(3)(c) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to limit the2
number of matters that a member may introduce during a regular session held in an3
even-numbered year; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the4
electors; and to provide for related matters.5
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members6
elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of7
Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to add8
Article III, Section 2(A)(3)(c) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:9
§2. Sessions10
Section 2.(A) Annual Session.11
* * *12
(3)13
* * *14
(c) No member of the legislature shall introduce more than ten15
matters intended to have the effect of law, including a matter proposing a16
suspension of law, during a regular session held in an even-numbered year.17
The following bills shall not be counted in determining the number of matters18
that a member may introduce for purposes of this Subsubparagraph:19
(i) The general appropriation bill.20
(ii) The bill appropriating funds for the judicial branch.21 HLS 10RS-92 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 171
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(iii) The bill appropriating funds for the legislative branch.1
(iv) The capital outlay bill.2
(v) The omnibus bond authorization bill.3
(vi) Appropriation bills supplementing the General Appropriation4
Act.5
(vii) The bill appropriating funds from the Revenue Sharing Fund6
pursuant to Article VII, Section 26 of this Constitution.7
(viii) The bill establishing and reestablishing agency ancillary funds.8
(ix) A bill to enact a local or special law which is required to be and9
has been advertised in accordance with Section 13 of this Article and which10
is not prohibited by the provisions of Section 12 of this Article.11
* * *12
Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted13
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 2,14
2010.15
Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at said election16
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted17
to vote FOR or AGAINST, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall18
read as follows:19
To limit to ten the number of matters that a legislator may introduce during20
a regular session held in an even-numbered year, subject to exceptions for21
certain bills. (Adds Article III, Section 2(A)(3)(c))22
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: Limits to 10 the number of matters that a legislator may introduce during a
regular session held in an even-numbered year, subject to exceptions for certain bills.
Present constitution (Art. III, §2) provides for regular sessions of the legislature. Provides
time limitations and procedures for filing bills. HLS 10RS-92 ENGROSSED
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Present constitution provides that any bill to be introduced in either house shall be prefiled
no later than 5:00 pm of the 10th calendar day prior to the first day of a regular session.
Provides that thereafter no member of the legislature may introduce more than five bills,
except as provided in the joint rules of the legislature. Authorizes the legislature to provide
by joint rule for the procedures for passage of duplicate or companion instruments.
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 and additionally provides
that no member of the legislature shall introduce more than 10 matters intended to have the
effect of law, including a matter proposing a suspension of law, during a regular session held
in an even-numbered year. Provides that the following bills shall not be counted in
determining the number of matters that a member may introduce for purposes of proposed
constitutional amendment:
(1)The general appropriation bill.
(2)The bill appropriating funds for the judicial branch.
(3)The bill appropriating funds for the legislative branch.
(4)The capital outlay bill.
(5)The omnibus bond authorization bill.
(6)Appropriation bills supplementing the General Appropriation Act.
(7)The bill appropriating funds from the Revenue Sharing Fund pursuant to Article VII,
Section 26 of this Constitution.
(8)The bill establishing and reestablishing agency ancillary funds.
(9)A bill to enact a local or special law which is required to be and has been advertised
in accordance with Section 13 of this Article and which is not prohibited by the
provisions of Section 12 of this Article.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Nov. 2, 2010.
(Adds Const. Art. III, §2(A)(3)(c))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill.
1. Removes provisions of proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting
introduction or consideration of matters not within certain subject matter
restrictions during sessions convening in odd-numbered years. HLS 10RS-92 ENGROSSED
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2. Adds provisions limiting to 10 the number of matters that a legislator may
introduce during a regular session held in an even-numbered year, subject to
exceptions for certain bills.