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)]
Pearson HB No. 141
Abstract: For purposes of constitutional requirements for notice of introduction of retirement
bills, defines "Official Journal of the State" to be the official journal as defined in present
law, the website of the official journal, or the website of the legislature.
Present constitution provides that no proposal to effect any change in existing laws or
constitutional provisions relating to any retirement system for public employees shall be
introduced in the legislature unless notice of intention to introduce the proposal has been
published, without cost to the state, in the official state journal on two separate days. Provides
that the last day of publication shall be at least 30 days before introduction of the bill. Provides
further that the notice shall state the substance of the contemplated law or proposal and that the
bill shall contain a recital that the notice has been given.
Present law provides for the designation of the "Official Journal of the State". Provides that the
Official Journal of the State shall be a daily newspaper with certain qualifications. Requires all
public notices and advertising done by the legislature to be published in the Official Journal of
the State. Provides that for purposes of constitutional requirements for publication of laws prior
to becoming effective, "Official Journal of the State" shall be the Internet website or portal of the
Official Journal of the State.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally provides that for purposes of provisions of
present constitution relative to notice of introduction of retirement bills, "Official Journal of the
State" means the Official Journal of the State as provided for in present law, the Internet website
or portal of the Official Journal of the State, or the official Internet website or portal of the
legislature.
(Adds R.S. 43:81(C))