HLS 13RS-52 ENGROSSED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 209
BY REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
LEGISLATIVE AGENCIES: Provides authority for legislative fiscal staff to access certain
information from state agencies
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 24:654, relative to the powers of the legislative fiscal division2
staffs; to provide for staff access to information; to provide with respect to certain3
confidential records or information; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 24:654 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 6
ยง654. State agencies, political subdivisions; assistance to committee; legislative7
fiscal division staff8
A. All agencies, boards, commissions, and departments of the state, whether9
budget or nonbudget units, and of any of its political subdivisions, including the10
Insurance Guaranty Association as created by R.S. 22:2056 et seq., shall assist the11
committee in its work and furnish such information, reports, books, records, files,12
aid, services, and assistance in a timely and cooperative manner as may be requested13
by the committee or legislative fiscal division staff assigned to the committee on14
matters related to the budget, all without any cost or charge of any nature to the15
committee.16
B. In addition, the legislative fiscal division staff assigned to the committee17
shall have the power and authority to inspect all records which are classified as18
confidential by any of the laws of the state but shall be required to maintain the19
confidentiality of such records except for the purpose of developing general statistics20 HLS 13RS-52 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 209
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
and program evaluations of the operations of state agencies. Under no circumstances1
shall the legislative fiscal division staff share any records which are classified as2
confidential by any of the laws of the state with any individual, including the elected3
members of the Louisiana Legislature.4
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)]
Garofalo HB No. 209
Abstract: Provides for legislative fiscal division staff assigned to the Joint Legislative
Committee on the Budget to have access to certain information from state agencies
subject to certain restrictions.
Present law (R.S. 24:654) requires all agencies, boards, commissions, and departments of
the state, whether budget or nonbudget units, and of any of its political subdivisions,
including the Insurance Guaranty Association as created by present law (R.S. 22:2056 et
seq.), to assist the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget in its work and furnish such
information, reports, aid, services, and assistance as may be requested by the committee, all
without any cost or charge of any nature to the committee.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally provides that the specified materials and
resources may be requested by legislative fiscal division staff assigned to the committee on
matters related to the budget. Adds books, records, and files to the materials that must be
furnished upon request. Requires all such resources and materials to be furnished in a timely
and cooperative manner.
Proposed law additionally authorizes the legislative fiscal division staff assigned to the
committee to inspect all records which are classified as confidential by any of the laws of
the state, but requires that the confidentiality of such records be maintained, except for the
purpose of developing general statistics and program evaluations of the operations of state
agencies. Provides that under no circumstances shall the legislative fiscal division staff
share any records which are classified as confidential by any of the laws of the state with any
individual, including the elected members of the La. Legislature.
(Amends R.S. 24:654)
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 law relative to the power and authority of
legislative fiscal division staff to inspect and make copies of certain materials
pertaining to the function of the legislature, relative to determining who is
considered legislative fiscal division staff, and relative to the manner in which
materials must be provided pursuant to proposed law.
2. Provides instead relative to legislative fiscal division staff assigned to the Joint
Legislative Committee on the Budget authorizing such staff to request certain
materials and resources specified in present law on matters related to the budget. HLS 13RS-52 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 209
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
3. Adds books, records, and files to the materials specified in present law that must
be furnished upon request of the committee or legislative fiscal division staff and
requires all such resources and materials to be furnished in a timely and
cooperative manner.
4. Authorizes the legislative fiscal division staff assigned to the committee to
inspect confidential records, but requires that the confidentiality of such records
be maintained, except for the purpose of developing general statistics and
program evaluations of the operations of state agencies. Provides that under no
circumstances shall the legislative fiscal division staff share any records which
are classified as confidential.