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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 112
BY REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD
LEGISLATIVE SESSION S: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the length
of regular sessions in odd-numbered years and the consideration of certain measures
in such sessions
A JOINT RESOLUTION1
Proposing to amend Article III, Section 2(A)(4) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to provide2
relative to regular legislative sessions convening in odd-numbered years; to provide3
for the length of such sessions; to provide relative to the consideration of matters at4
such sessions; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors;5
and to provide for related matters.6
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members7
elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of8
Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to9
amend Article III, Section 2(A)(4) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:10
§2. Sessions11
Section 2.(A) Annual Session.12
* * *13
(4)(a) All regular sessions convening in odd-numbered years shall convene14
at noon on the second Monday in April. The legislature shall meet in such a session15
for not more than forty-five legislative days in a period of sixty fifty calendar days.16
No such session shall continue beyond six o'clock in the evening of the sixtieth17
fiftieth calendar day after convening. No new matter intended to have the effect of18
law shall be introduced or received by either house after six o'clock in the evening19 HLS 14RS-91 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 112
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of the tenth calendar day. No matter intended to have the effect of law, except a1
measure proposing a suspension of law, shall be considered on third reading and2
final passage in either house after six o'clock in the evening of the forty-second3
legislative day or fifty-seventh forty-seventh calendar day, whichever occurs first,4
except by a favorable record vote of two-thirds of the elected members of each5
house.6
(b)(i) During any session convening in an odd-numbered year, no matter7
intended to have the effect of law, including any suspension of law, shall be8
introduced or considered unless its object is to enact the General Appropriation Bill;9
enact the comprehensive capital budget; make an appropriation; levy or authorize a10
new tax; increase an existing tax; levy, authorize, increase, decrease, or repeal a fee;11
dedicate revenue; legislate with regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions,12
reductions, repeals, or credits; or legislate with regard to the issuance of bonds.13
(ii) In addition, a matter intended to have the effect of law, including a14
measure proposing a suspension of law, which is not within the subject matter15
restrictions provided in this Subparagraph Subsubparagraph may be considered at16
any such session if:17
(i) It is prefiled no later than the deadline provided in Subparagraph (2) of18
this Paragraph, provided that the member shall not prefile more than five such19
matters pursuant to this Subsubparagraph; or20
(ii) Its if its object is to enact a local or special law which is required to be21
and has been advertised in accordance with Section 13 of this Article and which is22
not prohibited by the provisions of Section 12 of this Article.23
(iii) The subject matter restrictions provided in this Subsubparagraph shall24
not be construed to prevent the legislature from considering the minimum foundation25
program formula pursuant to Article VIII, Section 13 of this constitution.26
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Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted1
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 4,2
2014.3
Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,4
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted5
to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as6
follows:7
Do you support an amendment to repeal provisions that allow each legislator8
during regular sessions convened in odd-numbered years to introduce up to9
five prefiled bills that do not fit within the subject matter limitations for such10
sessions and to reduce from sixty to fifty the maximum number of calendar11
days for such sessions? (Amends Article III, Section 2(A)(4))12
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)]
Richard HB No. 112
Abstract: Repeals provisions that allow each legislator during regular sessions convened
in odd-numbered years to introduce up to five prefiled bills that do not fit within the
subject matter limitations for such sessions; reduces from 60 to 50 the maximum
number of calendar days for such sessions; and expressly allows for the
consideration of the minimum foundation program formula at such sessions.
Present constitution (Art. III, §2) provides for regular sessions of the legislature. Provides
time limitations and procedures for filing bills.
Present constitution provides that regular sessions convening in even-numbered years are
general in nature. Prohibits the introduction or enactment of any measure levying or
authorizing a new tax by the state or by any statewide political subdivision whose boundaries
are coterminous with the state; increasing an existing tax by the state or by any statewide
political subdivision whose boundaries are coterminous with the state; or legislating with
regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, or credits during a regular session held in
an even-numbered year.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution.
Present constitution provides that during a regular session convening in an odd-numbered
year, no matter intended to have the effect of law, including any suspension of law, shall be
introduced or considered unless its object is to enact the General Appropriation Bill; enact
the comprehensive capital budget; make an appropriation; levy or authorize a new tax;
increase an existing tax; levy, authorize, increase, decrease, or repeal a fee; dedicate revenue;
legislate with regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, reductions, repeals, or HLS 14RS-91 ORIGINAL
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credits; or legislate with regard to the issuance of bonds. However, provides that a matter
not within these subject matter restrictions may be considered if its object is to enact a local
or special law which is required to be and has been advertised in accordance with present
constitution and which is not prohibited by the provisions of present constitution concerning
prohibited local and special laws.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution.
Present constitution provides additionally that a matter not within the above subject matter
restrictions may be considered if it is prefiled. Provides that no member may prefile more
than five such matters.
Proposed constitutional amendment repeals present constitution. Provides further that the
subject matter restrictions provided in proposed constitutional amendment shall not be
construed to prevent the legislature from considering approval of the minimum foundation
program formula pursuant to present constitution.
Present constitution provides that during a regular session convening in an odd-numbered
year, the legislature shall meet for not more than 45 legislative days in a period of 60
calendar days.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides that the calendar day maximum for a regular
session convening in an odd-numbered year is 50 calendar days instead of 60 calendar days.
Proposed constitutional amendment otherwise retains present constitution.
Present constitution provides that during a regular session convening in an odd-numbered
year, no matter intended to have the effect of law, except a measure proposing a suspension
of law, shall be considered on third reading and final passage in either house after six o'clock
in the evening of the 42nd legislative day or 57th calendar day, whichever occurs first,
except by a favorable record vote of 2/3rds of the elected members of each house.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides that the calendar day deadline for third reading
and final passage is the 47th calendar day instead of the 57th calendar day. Proposed
constitutional amendment otherwise retains present constitution.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Nov. 4, 2014.
(Amends Const. Art. III, §2(A)(4))