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)]
HR 74 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Harris
Abstract: Limits the discussion and actions of House conference committee appointees on a
legislative instrument, other than an appropriation bill, the Capital Outlay Bill, and the
omnibus bond authorization bill, to resolving the differences between the two houses
regarding the amendments which were rejected by the house of origin and recommending
technical amendments, unless permission of the House is obtained by adoption of a debatable
motion by a favorable vote of a majority of the elected members. Prohibits consideration of
a conference committee report unless the conferees have complied with requirements.
Present House Rule (6.14) provides for the appointment of conference committee appointees from
the House, including the member who authored or handled the instrument, the chairman of the
committee that reported the instrument, and one member appointed by the Speaker. Further provides
that conference committee appointments on a Senate instrument shall be made only after the speaker
has received a request from the member who handled the instrument or a member of the committee
that reported the instrument.
Proposed House Rule further provides that conference committee appointees from the House on a
legislative instrument, other than an appropriation bill, the Capital Outlay Bill, and the omnibus bond
authorization bill, shall limit their discussions and their actions solely to resolving the differences
between the two houses regarding the amendments which were rejected by the house of origin and
recommending technical amendments. However, the author or member handling a legislative
instrument, with the concurrence of all other members of the conference committee, may request
permission of the House to allow the conference committee to consider recommending amendments
to the instrument which are not confined to resolving the differences regarding the amendments
rejected by the house of origin and recommending technical amendments. Provides that the adoption
of such motion requires the favorable vote of a majority of the elected members of each house and
is a debatable motion. Further prohibits the Clerk from accepting or placing on the calendar a
conference committee report unless the conferees have complied with the provisions of the proposed
House Rule. Provides that the adoption of a motion to waive any provision of the proposed House
Rule requires the favorable vote of a majority of the elected members of the House and is debatable.
Present House Rule (8.21(A)) provides that a conference committee report shall be a privileged
report and notice of receipt shall be given by the Clerk at the first opportunity without interrupting
pending business. Provides that the question of consideration of a conference committee report shall
lie over until the appropriate order of business during the Regular Orders on the next legislative day.
Present House Rule further provides that, on the last calendar or legislative day of a session, the
favorable vote of a majority of the elected members of the House is required to adopt a motion to suspend the requirement that the question of consideration of a conference committee report lie over
until the appropriate order of business during Regular Orders on the next legislative day.
Additionally provides that a motion to suspend these provisions is a debatable motion. Present
House Rule (8.21(C)) provides that the House shall consider a conference committee report confined
to resolving the differences between the two houses regarding the amendments which were rejected
by the house of origin and recommending technical amendments received on the last day (calendar
or legislative) of a session upon motion of any member duly adopted by a majority of those present
and voting. Present House Rule provides that a motion to take up consideration of a conference
committee report is a privileged incidental motion, in order when another motion or instrument is
not pending, and to be adopted by a majority of those present and voting is applicable only to such
confined reports received on the last day. Present House Rule (8.21(D)(1)) specifies that if a
conference committee report on any appropriation bill supplementing the General Appropriation Act,
the Capital Outlay Bill, the bill appropriating funds for the judicial branch, the bill appropriating
funds for the legislative branch, or the omnibus bond authorization bill is received on the last day,
the provisions of Present House Rule (8.21(C)) shall apply even if the conference committee report
is not confined to resolving the differences between the two houses regarding the amendments which
were rejected by the house of origin and recommending technical amendments. Present House Rule
(8.21(D)(2)) specifies that Present House Rule (8.15), which provides that a vote on a conference
committee report on the General Appropriation Bill shall not occur until at least 48 hours have
intervened after the receipt of the report and requires (at least 24 hours prior to voting) an unofficial
enrollment and a summary, applies to conference committee reports on the General Appropriation
Bill. Present House Rule (8.15) provides that the requirements may be waived by a majority vote
of the elected members of the House.
Proposed House Rule changes "motion to suspend" to "motion to waive", makes technical changes,
and otherwise retains Present House Rule.
(Amends House Rule 8.21(A); Adds House Rule 6.14(C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original resolution:
1. Make technical changes.