ENROLLED
2020 First Extraordinary Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 5
BY REPRESENTATIVE FREEMAN
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the
Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs to meet and function as a
joint committee to study the provisions of law relative to continuity of government
in periods of emergency and to make recommendations relative thereto.
WHEREAS, Article XII, Section 11 of the Constitution of Louisiana requires the
legislature to provide for the "orderly and temporary continuity of state government, in
periods of emergency, until normal processes of government can be reestablished in
accordance with the constitution and laws of the state; and, except as otherwise provided by
this constitution, for the prompt and temporary succession to the powers and duties of public
offices when incumbents become unavailable to perform their functions"; and
WHEREAS, since the adoption of the constitution, which became effective at
midnight on December 31, 1974, the legislature has not updated the provisions of law
relative to the continuity of the legislative branch, the executive branch, or the judicial
branch of state government or of local government, all of which were enacted in 1963; and
WHEREAS, the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has illustrated the need for an
examination of the continuity of government provisions beyond the planning for the
possibility of an attack; and
WHEREAS, extenuating circumstances such as a natural disaster, pandemic, or
attack may make access to public buildings and seats of government, including the state
capitol, impractical, undesirable, or impossible; and
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WHEREAS, the functionality of government must continue in order to accomplish
the essential business of the state and of local government in periods of emergency,
regardless of limitations and circumstances.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate
Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs to meet and function as a joint committee
to study the provisions of law relative to continuity of government in periods of emergency
and to make recommendations relative thereto.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the joint committee shall solicit the input,
recommendations, and advice of any person or organization it deems necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the joint committee shall make a written report
of its findings, together with any specific proposals for legislation, to the legislature no later
than thirty days prior to the 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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