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 15 Engrossed 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Frieman
Abstract: Authorizes the legislature to terminate any declaration of an emergency or any portion
of the declaration.
Present law provides that a disaster, emergency, or public health emergency shall be declared by
executive order or proclamation of the governor if the governor finds that a disaster or emergency
has occurred or the threat thereof is imminent.
Present law also provides that the state of disaster, emergency, or public health emergency shall
continue until the governor finds that the threat of danger has passed or the disaster or emergency
has been dealt with to the extent that the emergency conditions no longer exist and terminates the
state of disaster, emergency, or public health emergency by executive order or proclamation.
Present law provides that no state of disaster, emergency, or public health emergency may continue
for longer than 30 days unless renewed by the governor.
Present law authorizes either house of the legislature to terminate an emergency declaration of a state
of disaster, emergency, or public health emergency by petition of a majority of the surviving
members of that house.
Proposed law authorizes either house to terminate any section or subsection of an emergency
declaration.
Present law provides that the petition terminating an emergency declaration may establish a period
during which no other declaration of emergency may be issued. Proposed law limits present law to
related emergencies.
Proposed law requires the petition terminating an emergency declaration be transmitted to the clerk
of the House of Representatives or the secretary of the Senate, as applicable, and that the clerk or the
secretary shall transmit the petition to the governor.
Proposed law provides that the petition terminating an emergency declaration is effective upon
transmission of the petition to the governor.
Proposed law further provides that the clerk of the House of Representatives or secretary of the
Senate, as applicable, shall disseminate the petition among the general public and file it with
appropriate executive branch agencies. Proposed law provides for retroactive and prospective application.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 29:724(B)(2) and 768(B)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill:
1. Add requirement for legislative clerical officers to disseminate a petition to the public
and specified government agencies.