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 74 Original 2019 Regular Session Abramson
Proposed concurrent resolution creates the Constitutional Convention Study Commission to make
necessary studies and analysis to identify the provisions of the Constitution of La. which should be
considered for revision in a constitutional convention and to make recommendations for the conduct
of a constitutional convention.
(1)Provides that the commission be composed of:
(a)Five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House
of Representatives in a manner to reflect the diversity of the membership of the
House of Representatives.
(b)Five members of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate in a manner to
reflect the diversity of the membership of the Senate.
(2)Requires that the commission hold its organizational meeting within 30 days after
adjournment sine die of the 2019 Regular Session 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.
(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)Identification of significant policy areas that must be addressed in order to propose
a constitution that will serve the state effectively.
(b)Identification of pertinent background material and data relative to significant policy
areas that the commission determines will be useful to the work of the convention.
(c)Recommendations for the composition of the membership of the convention.
(d)Recommended proposed timetables for the convention.
(e)Recommendations regarding staffing and other resources needed and available to
address policy issues and to skillfully draft constitutional language. (f)Recommendations for budget needs for effective conduct of a convention.
(4)Requires the commission to complete its study and determine its recommendations by Jan.
1, 2020, and by Jan. 13, 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 or private sources.
(6)Authorizes the commission to make, or cause to be made, studies useful to its purposes
through legislative personnel or in cooperation with any public or private agency and to call
upon departments or agencies of the state for data and assistance. Requires departments and
agencies to cooperate with the commission.
(7)Authorizes the commission to receive grants, donations, or gifts of money or services from
public or private organizations or from any other sources and to create or appoint advisory
commissions or task forces for advice or assistance composed of representatives of the public
or private sectors.
(8)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.
(9)Provides that the commission is dissolved at 10:00 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2020.