HLS 14RS-3835 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 113
BY REPRESENTATIVE LOPINTO
HOUSE/RULES: Authorizes a committee member to abstain from voting under certain
circumstances
A RESOLUTION1
To amend and readopt House Rule 14.42 of the Rules of Order of the House of2
Representatives to provide for voting by committee members.3
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana4
that House Rule 14.42 of the Rules of Order of the House of Representatives is hereby5
amended and readopted to read as follows:6
Rule 14.42. Voting by Committee Members; Proxy Voting Prohibited7
A. Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, each committee member8
present shall give his vote on a question pending before the committee when his9
named is called.10
B. A committee member may abstain from voting if, in the discretion of the11
member with the concurrence of the chairman, the member would be unable to make12
an informed vote because the member was absent from all or a significant part of the13
committee discussion on the matter.14
C. No committee member shall be allowed to vote by proxy under any15
circumstances, and no member shall be permitted to vote on a matter before a16
committee if he was not in the committee room before the vote is announced by the17
chairman.18 HLS 14RS-3835 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 113
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
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)]
Lopinto HR No. 113
Abstract: Allows a committee member to abstain from voting if, in the discretion of the
member with the concurrence of the chairman, the member would be unable to make
an informed vote because the member was absent from all or a significant part of the
committee discussion on the matter.
Present House Rules authorize each standing committee adopt rules to govern its procedure
not inconsistent with Rules of Order of the House of Representatives.
Present House Rules provide that every member who is in the House when the question is
put shall give his vote, except the Speaker shall not be required to vote unless the House is
equally divided.
Present House Rules require the approval of a majority of the quorum present for a
committee to decide a question or to take official action on any matter. Provides that a
member recused or disqualified from voting on a question for reasons provided in the Rules
shall not be counted for the purpose of determining the number necessary for or for
establishing a quorum to act on that question. Specifies that members appointed to the
committee during the interim for matters under study or investigation may vote only on
questions relating to the subject matter which they were appointed to study. Present House
Rules further provides that no committee member shall be allowed to vote by proxy under
any circumstances, and no member shall be permitted to vote on a matter before a committee
if he was not in the committee room before the vote is announced by the chairman. Present
House Rules provide that the chairman of a committee may vote, but he shall be required to
vote only when the committee is equally divided.
Proposed House Rule provide that except as otherwise provided in the Rules, each
committee member present shall give his vote on a question pending before the committee
when his named is called. Proposed House Rule authorizes a committee member to abstain
from voting if, in the discretion of the member with the concurrence of the chairman, the
member would be unable to make an informed vote because the member was absent from
all or a significant part of the committee discussion on the matter.
(Amends House Rule 14.42)