Louisiana House Bill HR12

Louisiana 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/21/12
• Refer: 3/22/12

Caption

Requires recommittal of certain legislative instruments

Impact

The proposed changes to House Rule 6.8(F) will shift the threshold for recommittal of legislative instruments from five hundred thousand dollars to one hundred thousand dollars, thereby broadening the scope of financial oversight within the House. By lowering the fiscal cost threshold, HR12 aims to enhance fiscal responsibility and accountability around the passage of legislation that could significantly impact the state's budget or financial obligations. This modification is anticipated to allow more comprehensive review processes for a greater number of bills, ensuring that legislators are better informed of potential fiscal impacts and enabling a more responsible approach to state funding.

Summary

House Resolution 12 (HR12), proposed by Representative Hunter, seeks to amend the existing House Rule 6.8(F) concerning the recommittal of certain legislative instruments that entail significant fiscal implications. The resolution stipulates that any instrument originating from the Senate with an estimated annual fiscal cost of one hundred thousand dollars or more, or those with indeterminable fiscal costs, should be recommitted to the Appropriations Committee. This change is made to ensure that financially impactful legislative instruments receive thorough scrutiny by the appropriate committee prior to further action.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HR12 appears to be supportive among those advocating for fiscal prudence and enhanced government accountability. Proponents agree that by requiring legislative instruments with considerable fiscal implications to undergo additional scrutiny, the resolution aims to protect the state from unwarranted expenditures. However, the change may also face opposition from those who argue that such requirements could slow down the legislative process and complicate the passage of necessary bills, especially in budgetary matters.

Contention

HR12 introduces a notable contention point related to the balance between efficiency in legislative procedures and the need for financial oversight. While supporters advocate for the increased oversight as a safeguard for state finances, critics may view the new rule as potentially obstructive, leading to delays in legislative action. This highlights an ongoing debate within the legislative body regarding the extent to which fiscal considerations should dictate procedural norms and the pace of legislative operations.