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 38 Reengrossed 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Harris
Abstract: Requires municipalities and parishes to notify JLCB if funding for their police
department or sheriff's office is reduced by 10% or more. If JLCB determines the reductions
will have a significant and harmful effect on public safety, the municipality or parish is
ineligible to apply for or receive funding for new capital outlay projects or receive sales tax
dedications for the next fiscal year.
Proposed law requires any governing authority with a municipal police department or sheriff's office
to notify JLCB if the annual operating budget for the police department or sheriff's office decreases
by 10% or more from the current to ensuing fiscal year or any time during the current year.
Proposed law authorizes JLCB to require the governing authority to appear before the committee and
if JLCB determines the reductions will have a significant and harmful effect on public safety, the
governing authority shall be ineligible to apply for or receive funding for any new capital outlay
projects or receive appropriations from sales tax dedications for the ensuing fiscal year.
Proposed law exempts any political subdivision which decreases the annual operating budget for its
municipal police department or sheriff's office due to a decrease in tax collections.
(Adds R.S. 39:291 and 292)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the original
bill:
1. Clarify that public colleges and universities and governing authorities with a municipal
police department or sheriff's office would be ineligible to apply for or receive funding
for new capital outlay projects.
2. Make a technical change.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Remove the reporting requirements and penalties for public colleges and universities.
2. Provide an exception to proposed law for any political subdivision that decreases the annual operating budget for its municipal police department or sheriff's office due to a
decrease in tax collections.