Louisiana House Bill HB1185

Louisiana 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/1/14
• Refer: 4/2/14
• Report Pass: 4/29/14

Caption

Provides relative to legislation re-creating statutory entities

Impact

The implementation of HB 1185 is likely to impact how the legislature interacts with statutory entities, which includes state departments, offices, and agencies. By placing strict limitations on what can be included in a bill re-creating these entities, the bill seeks to prevent legislative overreach and excessive modification of the underlying laws governing these entities. As a result, the bill might help maintain a clearer and more predictable structure in terms of entity governance, allowing for better planning and operational efficiency.

Summary

House Bill 1185, introduced by Representative Hunter, aims to amend the process for re-creating statutory entities in Louisiana government. The bill specifically limits the content of any legislation proposing the re-creation of these entities to the amendment of their termination date only. This means that such a bill cannot contain any additional substantive changes, thus streamlining the process for legislating the continuation of statutory entities and enforcing a more uniform approach to their evaluation and management. Currently, statutory entities must be reviewed and can face termination unless re-created through legislative action.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1185 is mixed. Supporters argue that by limiting the changes to termination dates alone, the bill provides a clearer path forward for entities that are up for review, thereby reducing the likelihood of arbitrary or politically motivated alterations to statutory regulations. However, critics express concerns that the restrictions on legislative modification could hinder necessary reforms or updates to address contemporary issues and challenges faced by these entities. This reflects a tension between maintaining stability in governance and the need for flexibility in legislative response.

Contention

A notable point of contention in the discussions around HB 1185 relates to how restricting the scope of re-creation legislation may impact the responsiveness of the state government. Proponents contend that simplified procedures will lead to more efficient governance and oversight of statutory entities. In contrast, opponents argue that the inability to make amendments or improvements when re-creating entities might leave the government unable to adapt to changing societal needs, thus presenting a risk of stagnation in services provided by these entities.