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)]
HCR 56 Original 2019 Regular Session Foil
Abstract: Establishes the Constitutional Convention Study Commission.
Proposed concurrent resolution creates the Constitutional Convention Study Commission to make
necessary studies and analysis to examine and make recommendations relative to the calling of an
effective constitutional convention to revise the Constitution of La.
(1)Provides that the commission be composed of the following members:
(a)Three members of the House and one former member of the House appointed by the
speaker of the House of Representatives.
(b) Three members of the Senate and one former member of the Senate appointed by the
president of the Senate.
(c)Four members appointed by the governor.
(d)Four members appointed by the chief justice of the La. Supreme Court.
(e)A representative of the Public Affairs Research Council of La. appointed by the
council.
(f) A representative of the Council for a Better La. appointed by the council.
Requires that, in making appointments, the appointing authorities shall seek to provide
diversity in the commission's membership, including diversity of geography, race, and
gender.
Provides for filling of a vacancy in the manner of the original appointment.
(2)Requires that the commission hold its organizational meeting within 60 days after
adjournment sine die of the 2019 R.S. on the call of the House speaker and the Senate
president acting jointly.
Requires the commission, at the organizational meeting, to elect a chairman, a vice chairman,
and other officers it finds necessary and to adopt rules for its own procedure.
(3)Requires the commission to make such studies as it finds necessary or appropriate to make
recommendations to the legislature on all matters relevant to the convening and conduct of
a constitutional convention including a plan for the conduct of an effective constitutional
convention which plan shall include but not be limited to: (a)A policy agenda for the convention which shall include:
(i)Identification of significant policy areas that must be addressed in order to
propose a constitution that will serve the state effectively.
(ii)Alternative proposals for provisions on significant policy areas, together with
explanations and explanatory materials therefor, including multiple optional
approaches and solutions as appropriate to facilitate the work of the
convention in addressing issues.
(iii)Pertinent background material and data relative to significant policy areas.
(b)Background and other materials that the committee determines will be useful to the
work of the convention.
(c)Proposals for elimination of statutory materials from the constitution, together with
recommendations for legislative action relative thereto.
(d)Recommendations for convention organization and deliberations, including the
composition of the membership of the convention, officers and committees, and
significant provisions for rules of procedure.
(e)Timetables for convening, for staff work, for completion of a draft constitution, for
the election to submit the proposal to the voters of the state, and for effectiveness of
the new constitution.
(f)An analysis of staffing and other resources needed and available to address policy
issues and to skillfully draft constitutional language.
(g)Recommendations for budget needs for effective conduct of a convention.
(h)Recommendations for procedures for submission of alternative proposals to the
voters and ballot structure.
(4)Requires the commission to complete its study and determine its recommendations by Dec.
15, 2019, and, by Jan.10, 2020, to submit study results and a report of its findings and
recommendations to each legislator and the governor.
(5)Authorizes the commission to utilize the personnel, facilities, and services of the legislative
auditor, the legislative fiscal officer, and the staffs of the House of Representatives and the
Senate and to request and use such counsel, assistance, personnel, facilities, and advice as
may be obtained from any and all public sources.
(6)Authorizes the commission to create or appoint advisory commissions or task forces for
advice or assistance, composed of representatives of the public or private sectors. (7)Provides that expenses directly incurred by the commission may be paid from any funds
available for the purpose and, with the approval of the legislative presiding officers, from
funds available to such presiding officers for expenses of the legislature.
(8)Provides that the commission shall be dissolved on Jan. 13, 2020.