HLS 23RS-343 ENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 259
BY REPRESENTATIVE MARCELLE
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
APPROPRIATIONS: (Constitutional Amendment) Creates an exception to maximum one-
year period for appropriations for nongovernmental entities
1 A JOINT RESOLUTION
2Proposing to amend Article III, Section 16(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to
3 appropriations; to provide for a period of longer than one year for certain
4 appropriations; to provide for effectiveness; to provide for submission of the
5 proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.
6 Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members
7elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of
8Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to
9amend Article III, Section 16(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
10 §16. Appropriations
11 Section 16.(A) Specific Appropriation for One Year; Exception.
12 (1) Except as otherwise provided by this constitution, no money shall be
13 withdrawn from the state treasury except through specific appropriation, and no
14 appropriation shall be made under the heading of contingencies or for longer than
15 one year.
16 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph, an
17 appropriation to a nongovernmental entity which is neither a budget unit nor a
18 political subdivision of the state shall be for two years.
19 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HB NO. 259
HLS 23RS-343 ENGROSSED
1 Section 2. Be it further resolved that the provisions of the amendment contained in
2this Joint Resolution shall become effective on July 1, 2024.
3 Section 3. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted
4to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on October 14,
52023.
6 Section 4. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,
7there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted
8to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as
9follows:
10 Do you support an amendment to allow appropriations for nongovernmental
11 entities which are neither a budget unit nor a political subdivision of the state
12 to be effective for two years? (Amends Article III, Section 16(A))
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 259 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Marcelle
Abstract: Provides that a nongovernmental entity has two years in which to spend funds
appropriated to the entity.
Present constitution provides that no appropriation shall be made for longer than one year.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides an exception to the one year limitation.
Provides that all appropriation to a nongovernmental entity that is neither a budget unit nor
a political subdivision is for two years.
Effective July 1, 2024.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Oct. 14, 2023.
(Amends Const. Art. III, §16(A))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.