HLS 12RS-259 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 69
BY REPRESENTATIVE BADON
PARDON: (Constitutional Amendment) Repeals the governor's authority to grant pardons
to persons convicted of offenses against the state
A JOINT RESOLUTION1
Proposing to repeal Article IV, Section 5(E) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to2
gubernatorial powers and duties; to repeal the authority of the governor to grant3
pardons; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; and4
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 repeal8
Article IV, Section 5(E) of the Constitution of Louisiana.9
Section 2. Be it further resolved that the provisions of this amendment shall become10
effective on January 1, 2013.11
Section 3. 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 6,13
2012.14
Section 4. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,15
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
Do you support an amendment to repeal the authority of the governor to19
grant pardons? (Effective January 1, 2013) (Repeals Article IV, Section 5(E))20 HLS 12RS-259 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 69
Page 2 of 2
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)]
Badon HB No. 69
Abstract: Repeals the authority of the governor to grant pardons.
Present constitution provides that the governor may grant reprieves to persons convicted of
offenses against the state and, upon favorable recommendation of the Board of Pardons, may
commute sentences, pardon those convicted of offenses against the state, and remit fines and
forfeitures imposed for such offenses.
Proposed constitutional amendment repeals this authority.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Nov. 6, 2012.
Effective Jan. 1, 2013.
(Repeals Const. Art. IV, ยง5(E))