Louisiana House Bill HCR145

Louisiana 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/14/12
• Refer: 5/14/12
• Report Pass: 5/22/12
• Engrossed: 5/29/12
• Passed: 5/31/12

Caption

Requests the legislative governmental affairs committees to study issues relative to meetings of public bodies

Impact

If acted upon, HCR145 could lead to significant changes in the Open Meetings Law of Louisiana. This could enhance citizens' engagement in the electoral process by facilitating public comments at more strategic points during government meetings. The proposed exploration into the voting dynamics of public bodies may result in a more democratic approach to how members can represent their constituents and participate in decision-making, particularly regarding critical items not on the official agenda.

Summary

HCR145, a House Concurrent Resolution, requests the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs to convene as a joint committee. The objective of this committee is to study various issues related to public meetings, such as public comment requirements, voting protocols for entering executive sessions, and the procedures for public bodies to create committees and subcommittees. The resolution emphasizes the importance of open governance and transparency in public decision-making processes.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HCR145 appears to be supportive, particularly from those advocating for increased transparency and accessibility to governmental processes. Proponents of the bill believe that studying these issues will help enhance public trust and ensure that citizen voices are adequately represented in discussions concerning state governance.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention regarding how public comment periods are structured and the voting criteria for executive sessions. Some members of the legislative body may have differing views on the extent to which public engagement should be mandated, especially this could potentially alter the dynamics of how public bodies function. Concerns may arise about the balance between administrative efficiency and public involvement, particularly regarding controversial items.