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 20 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Stefanski
Abstract: Clarifies the procedures and requirements applicable to conference committee reports.
Present House Rule (8.21(A)) provides that a conference committee report (CCR) is a privileged
report and notice of receipt shall be given by the Clerk at the first opportunity without interrupting
pending business. Requires that the question of consideration of a CCR lie over until the appropriate
order of business during the Regular Orders on the next legislative day (lie over). Present House
Rule (13.2(A)) requires a favorable vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting to suspend
a House Rule. Present House Rule (8.21) provides that on the last day, the requirement that the
question of consideration of a CCR lie over may be waived by the favorable vote of a majority of the
elected members of the House. Provides that such motion is debatable. (However, see discussion
of present House Rule (C), (D), and (E)(1) below. Present House Rule additionally provides that a
motion to suspend these provisions relative to CCRs is debatable. Present House Rule (8.21(C) and
(E)(1)) provides that the House shall consider a CCR on the last day upon adoption of a motion to
take up consideration of the report by a majority of those present and voting under the following
circumstances:
(1)The CCR is confined to resolving the differences between the two houses regarding the
amendments which were rejected by the house of origin and recommending technical
amendments (confined report).
(2)The bill is one of the following: an appropriation bill supplementing the General
Appropriation Act, the Capital Outlay Bill, the bill appropriating funds for the judicial
branch, the bill appropriating funds for the legislative branch, or the omnibus bond
authorization bill.
Present House Rule (8.21(D)) provides more specifically with respect to consideration of a CCR
when there is less than two hours remaining before adjournment of the session. Provides that the
motion to take up consideration of the CCR under these circumstances requires the favorable vote
of a majority of the elected members of the House and is not debatable. However, if the CCR is not
a confined report and the bill is not one of the bills specified in item (2) above, the motion to
consider the CCR is not in order until after a motion to waive the requirement that it lie over is
adopted. Present House Rule (8.21(F)) requires the Clerk to announce to the House if a CCR is
confined prior to the consideration of any motion relative to the report. Further requires the Clerk
to announce the names of the conferees who signed the report and the names of the conferees who
did not sign the report, unless signed by all conferees in which case the Clerk shall announce that
fact. Propose House Rule maintains present House Rule ((8.15)) that provides that a vote on a CCR on
the General Appropriation Bill shall not occur until at least 48 hours have intervened after the receipt
of the report and requires (at least 24 hours prior to voting) an unofficial enrollment and a summary.
Provides that these requirements may be waived by a majority vote of the elected members of the
House.
Proposed House Rule removes the provisions of present House Rule 8.21 but maintains some of the
same procedures and requirements and provides for consideration of conference committee reports
as follows:
(1)Provides that a CCR is a privileged report and notice of receipt shall be given by the Clerk
at the first opportunity without interrupting pending business. Requires that the question of
consideration of a CCR lie over until the appropriate order of business during the Regular
Orders on the next legislative day (lie over). Provides that the Clerk shall place each CCR
on the calendar in the order in which it was received for consideration (same as in present
House Rule).
(2)Provides that any motion, the effect of which is to suspend the above provisions shall be
debatable and shall require a favorable vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting
unless a CCR is received on sine die day, then such a motion shall require a favorable vote
of a majority of the elected members of the House. (similar to present House Rule).
(3)Provides that the question upon consideration of a CCR, unless a substitute or other main
motion be made, shall be the question of adoption of the CCR. (same as in present House
Rule).
(4)Requires the Clerk to announce to the House, prior to consideration of a CCR, if a CCR is
confined and the names of the conferees who signed the report and the names of the
conferees who did not sign the report, unless signed by all conferees in which case the Clerk
shall announce that fact (similar to present House Rule).
(Adds House Rule 8.23; Repeals House Rule 8.21)