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 4 Original 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Wright
Abstract: Authorizes the legislature, by a majority vote, to approve the renewal of emergency
declarations to continue beyond 30 days.
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.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that no state of disaster, emergency, or public health
emergency shall continue beyond 30 days unless renewed by the governor and approved by a
majority vote of each house of the legislature.
(Amends R.S. 29:724(B)(1) and 768(A))