SLS 12RS-1054 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 15
BY SENATOR PETERSON
SENATE. Requests public hearings by Senate committees on certain education legislation
be held on certain days and times.
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request that public hearings by Senate committees on certain proposed2
education legislation be held on Fridays after 5:00 p.m., Saturdays, or Sundays.3
WHEREAS, there are several specific proposed legislative measures, particularly4
House Bill 976 and Senate Bill 597 (Student Scholarship for Educational Excellence5
Program), House Bill 974 and Senate Bill 603 (teacher tenure), House Bill 933 and Senate6
Bill 581 (early childhood education), and House Bill 969 (tax rebate to taxpayers who donate7
to certain school tuition organizations), being considered in the 2012 Regular Session,8
passage of which would affect K-12 school children and their teachers and parents as well9
as school administrations and systems; and 10
WHEREAS, legislative committees should provide the maximum opportunity for11
school teachers and administrators and the parents of school children to attend and12
participate in public hearings regarding these legislative measures; and 13
WHEREAS, Article III, Section 15 of the Constitution of Louisiana requires that14
action on a matter intended to have the effect of law be taken only in open, public meetings15
and that no bill shall be considered for final passage unless a committee has held a public16
hearing on the bill; and 17
WHEREAS, as stated in the Open Meetings Law, it is essential to maintaining a18 SR NO. 15
SLS 12RS-1054 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner and that1
the citizens be advised of and aware of the performance of public officials and the2
deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy; and3
WHEREAS, Rule 13:78(A) of the Rules of Order of the Louisiana Senate provides4
that "(W)hen a committee holds a public hearing on an instrument or other matter,5
opportunity to appear before the committee shall be provided to a representative number of6
proponents and opponents on each issue which the instrument or matter presents"; and7
WHEREAS, while hundreds, if not thousands, of interested persons took time to8
attempt to attend and participate in the committee hearings held during the week of March9
12-16, holding the hearings during a weekday required many to be absent from their10
professional duties and the cessation of the school days for students in several locations11
throughout the state; and12
WHEREAS, given the magnitude of the proposed changes, the number of persons13
that will be impacted by the enactment of such legislation, and the desire and interest of14
thousands to attend committee hearings on the proposed legislation, special consideration15
should be given to holding public hearings on such legislation by committees on days that16
would permit public participation; and 17
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the fact that the legislative committees do not normally18
meet on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, it is imperative to provide an opportunity for19
stakeholders to engage and be heard; and 20
WHEREAS, holding public hearings on such legislative measures on Fridays after21
5:00 p.m., Saturdays, or Sundays would accommodate and better afford an opportunity for22
professionals and other interested persons to attend and participate in the public hearings,23
would encourage rather than discourage civic participation and promote rather than limit24
democracy, and would minimize the impact on the operation of schools and school25
instruction for students.26
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana that27
public hearings by a Senate committee on House Bill 976 or Senate Bill 597 (Student28
Scholarship for Educational Excellence Program), House Bill 974 or Senate Bill 60329
(teacher tenure), House Bill 933 or Senate Bill 581 (early childhood education), House Bill30 SR NO. 15
SLS 12RS-1054 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
969 (tax rebates to taxpayers who donate to certain school tuition organizations), or any1
other measure proposing such law be held on Fridays after 5:00 p.m., Saturdays, or Sundays.2
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Peterson SR No. 15
Requests that public hearings by a Senate committee on HB 976 or SB 597 (Student
Scholarship for Educational Excellence Program), HB 974 or SB 603 (teacher tenure), HB
933 or SB 581 (early childhood education), HB 969 (tax rebates to taxpayers who donate to
certain school tuition organizations), or any other measure proposing such law be held on
Fridays after 5:00 p.m., Saturdays, or Sundays.