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.
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.