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 68 Original 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Schexnayder
Abstract: Creates and provides for the composition and duties of the Legislative Committee on
Emergency Declarations and prohibits disaster or emergency declarations or public health
emergency declarations from extending beyond 30 days unless approved by the Legislative
Committee on Emergency Declarations.
Present law provides that disaster or emergency declarations or public health emergency declarations
shall continue until the governor finds that the threat of danger has passed or that the emergency has
been dealt with to the extent that the emergency conditions no longer exist and terminates the
emergency by executive order or proclamation.
Present law further provides that no state of public health emergency may continue for longer than
30 days unless renewed by the governor.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that no disaster or emergency declarations or public
health emergency declarations may continue for longer than 30 days unless renewed by the
Legislative Committee on Emergency Declarations.
Proposed law establishes the Legislative Committee on Emergency Declarations and provides that
the committee may renew public health emergency declarations.
Present law provides that the legislature may file a petition to terminate a state of public health
emergency if signed by the surviving members of either house.
Proposed law retains and clarifies the procedures of present law, and provides that the petition
supersedes any decision of the Legislative Committee on Emergency Declarations.
Proposed law provides that the speaker of the House of Representatives, the president of the Senate,
the speaker pro tempore of the House of Representatives, and the president pro tempore shall be
members of the committee.
Proposed law requires the committee to appoint a chairperson from among its members.
Proposed law allows the members of the committee to appoint a designee who shall have the rights
and privileges of the member being represented.
Proposed law provides that no decision by the committee to renew or modify a declaration shall be without the favorable vote of at least a majority of the members of the Legislative Committee on
Emergency Declarations.
Proposed law requires the committee to give notice for meetings and official actions and requires
the council to publish its decisions in the Louisiana Register.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 29:722(A)(2), 724(A) and (B), 766(A), (B), and (D) and 768)