HLS 14RS-50 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 596
BY REPRESENTATIVE ABRAMSON
FUNDS/FUNDING: (Constitutional Amendment) Requires certain money from vetoed line
item appropriations be deposited into the Budget Stabilization Fund
A JOINT RESOLUTION1
Proposing to amend Article IV, Section 5(G)(2) and to add Article IV, Section 5(G)(3) and2
Article VII, Section 10.3(A)(5), to provide for the deposit of money into the Budget3
Stabilization Fund from certain line items vetoed in an appropriation bill; to provide4
for veto messages; to provide for exceptions; to provide for submission of the5
proposed amendment to the electors; 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 IV, Section 5(G)(2) and to add Article IV, Section 5(G)(3) of the Constitution10
of Louisiana, to read as follows:11
§5. Governor; Powers and Duties12
Section 5. 13
* * *14
(G) Item Veto.15
* * * 16
(2) After the date of the veto session of the most recent session in which the17
appropriation bill was passed, the treasurer shall deposit into the Budget Stabilization18
Fund any money from state general fund, excluding self-generated collections and19
dedicated funds, contained in line item appropriations that remain vetoed, with the20
exception of money that was vetoed to ensure that total appropriations for the year21
do not exceed anticipated revenues for that year.22 HLS 14RS-50 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 596
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(3) The governor shall veto line items or use means provided in the bill so1
that total appropriations for the year shall not exceed anticipated revenues for that2
year. The governor shall state in the veto message if a line item was vetoed for that3
reason. Money from any line item veto made to ensure that appropriations do not4
exceed anticipated revenues for that year shall not be deposited into the Budget5
Stabilization Fund.6
* * *7
Section 2. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members8
elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of9
Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to add10
Article VII, Section 10.3(A)(5) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:11
§10.3. Budget Stabilization Fund12
Section 10.3.(A) There is hereby established in the state treasury a Budget13
Stabilization Fund hereinafter referred to as the fund. Money shall be deposited in14
the fund as follows:15
* * *16
(5) All state general funds, excluding self-generated collections and17
dedicated funds, available from line items vetoed by the governor, except funds from18
a line item veto made to ensure that total appropriations for the year do not exceed19
anticipated revenues for that year, shall be deposited into the fund.20
* * *21
Section 3. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted22
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 4,23
2014.24
Section 4. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,25
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted26
to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as27
follows:28 HLS 14RS-50 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 596
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Do you support an amendment to require that money from certain line items1
vetoed by the governor in an appropriation bill be deposited into the Budget2
Stabilization Fund? (Amends Article IV, Section 5(G)(2); Adds Article IV,3
Section 5(G)(3) and Article VII, Section 10.3(A)(5))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)]
Abramson HB No. 596
Abstract: Requires that certain state general funds from line items vetoed in an
appropriation bill be deposited into the Budget Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund).
Exempt funds from items that were vetoed to ensure that total appropriations for the
year do not exceed anticipated revenues for that year.
Present constitution provides for the powers and duties of the governor, including the
authority to veto line items in an appropriation bill. Present constitution further provides that
the governor may veto line items to ensure the bill total does not exceed anticipated
revenues. Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution and requires the
treasurer to deposit the state general funds, excluding self-generated collections and
dedicated funds, from the line item vetoes into the Budget Stabilization Fund (also known
as the Rainy Day Fund). Proposed constitutional amendment further requires the governor
to indicate in the veto message if the veto is to ensure that appropriations for that year do not
exceed anticipated revenues. Excepts money vetoed for that reason from deposit into the
Budget Stabilization Fund.
Present constitution provides for deposits into the Budget Stabilization Fund.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution and adds to the funds
required to be deposited into the Budget Stabilization Fund, all state general funds,
excluding self-generated collections and dedicated funds, available from line item
appropriations vetoed by the governor, except money from a line item veto made to ensure
that total appropriations for the year do not exceed anticipated revenues for that year, be
deposited into the Budget Stabilization Fund.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Nov. 4, 2014.
(Amends Art. IV, §5(G)(2); Adds Art. IV, §5(G)(3) and Art. VII, §10.3(A)(5))