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)]
HR 18 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Bacala
Abstract: Provides an option in the House Rules for the House to limit debate on final passage or
adoption of a legislative instrument by a majority vote of the elected members of House. The
limited debate option provides that a member may speak for no more than three minutes per
occasion without leave of the House, provides that all questions to the author or member
handling a legislative instrument or a member offering an amendment shall be limited to 10
minutes, and limits opening and closing debate to three minutes.
Present House Rule provides that no member shall speak more than twice during debate on the same
question, nor more than 15 minutes on each occasion, without leave of the House, nor more than
once until every member choosing to speak shall have spoken. Provides that the author or member
handling the instrument shall have the right to open and close the debate or to designate a member
or members to represent him. Limits closing debate to 15 minutes. Further provides that a member
may yield part of his allotted time to another member only upon closing remarks in a debate.
Proposed House Rule, provides that by motion adopted by a favorable vote of a majority of the
elected members of the House, the limits on debate of legislative instruments on final passage or
adoption shall limit each member to speaking on a legislative instrument for no more than three
minutes per occasion without leave of the House, limit all questions to the author or member
handling a legislative instrument or to a member offering an amendment to the instrument to 10
minutes, and limit opening and closing debate to three minutes. Otherwise retains present House
Rule. Further provides that the limits in the proposed House Rule are applicable until the members
of the House adopt a motion by a favorable vote of a majority of the elected members to return to
the limits on debate established in present House Rule (House Rule 5.7).
(Amends House Rule 5.7(A); Adds House Rule 5.7.1)