HLS 15RS-713 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 518
BY REPRESENTATIVE STOKES
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for matters which may
be considered in a regular session convening in an odd-numbered year
1 A JOINT RESOLUTION
2Proposing to amend Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative
3 to regular sessions of the legislature; to provide for the consideration of certain
4 matters during certain regular sessions; to provide for submission of the proposed
5 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 members
7elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of
8Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to
9amend Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
10 §2. Sessions
11 Section 2.(A) Annual Session.
12 * * *
13 (4)
14 * * *
15 (b) During any session convening in an odd-numbered year, no matter
16 intended to have the effect of law, including any suspension of law, shall be
17 introduced or considered unless its object is to enact the General Appropriation Bill;
18 enact the comprehensive capital budget; make an appropriation; levy or authorize a
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 15RS-713 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 518
1 new tax; increase an existing tax; levy, authorize, increase, decrease, or repeal a fee;
2 dedicate revenue; legislate with regard to tax abatements, exemptions, exclusions,
3 deductions, incentives, rebates, reductions, repeals, or credits; legislate with regard
4 to tax administration, collection, imputation, or reporting; or legislate with regard to
5 the issuance of bonds. In addition, a matter intended to have the effect of law,
6 including a measure proposing a suspension of law, which is not within the subject
7 matter restrictions provided in this Subparagraph may be considered at any such
8 session if:
9 (i) It is prefiled no later than the deadline provided in Subparagraph (2) of
10 this Paragraph, provided that the member shall not prefile more than five such
11 matters pursuant to this Subsubparagraph; or
12 (ii) Its object is to enact a local or special law which is required to be and has
13 been advertised in accordance with Section 13 of this Article and which is not
14 prohibited by the provisions of Section 12 of this Article.
15 * * *
16 Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted
17to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on October 24,
182015.
19 Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,
20there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted
21to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as
22follows:
23 Do you support an amendment to add legislation regarding tax abatements,
24 incentives, and rebates and tax administration, collection, imputation, and
25 reporting to the list of subject matters which may be considered during a
26 regular legislative session held in an odd-numbered year? (Amends Article
27 III, Section 2(A)(4)(b))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 15RS-713 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 518
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)]
HB 518 Original 2015 Regular Session Stokes
Abstract: Adds tax abatements, incentives, and rebates and tax administration, collection,
imputation, and reporting to the list of measures which may be introduced or
considered during a regular session convening in an odd-numbered year.
Present constitution provides that during any session convening in an odd-numbered year,
no matter shall be introduced or considered unless its object is to enact the General
Appropriation Bill or the comprehensive capital budget, to 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 credits, or legislate with regard to the issuance of bonds. Provides
exceptions to this subject matter limitation.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution but adds tax abatements,
incentives, and rebates and tax administration, collection, imputation, and reporting to the
list of measures which may be introduced or considered during a regular session convening
in an odd-numbered year.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Oct. 24, 2015.
(Amends Const. Art. III, §2(A)(4)(b))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.