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 250 Original 2024 Regular Session Green
Abstract: Provides that the regular sessions of the legislature will begin each year on the second
Monday in Feb. and end no later than May 30th. Removes subject matter restrictions and
deadlines for prefiling, introduction, and final passage of legislative instruments in the
provisions for sessions. Allows the legislature to change the timing of annual sessions by
a joint rule adopted by a two-thirds vote.
Present constitution provides that in even-numbered years the regular session of the legislature
convenes at noon on the second Monday in March, in which the legislature shall meet for not more
than 60 legislative days during a period of 85 calendar days.
Present constitution prohibits the introduction or enactment of any measure levying or authorizing
a new tax or increasing an existing tax by the state or by any statewide political subdivision, or
legislating with regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, or credits during a regular session
convening in an even-numbered year.
Present constitution provides that in odd-numbered years the legislature shall convene at noon on
the second Monday in April, in which the legislature shall meet for not more than 45 legislative days
during a period of 60 calendar days.
Present constitution provides that during any session convening in an odd-numbered year, no matter
shall be introduced or considered unless its object is to enact the General Appropriation Bill or the
comprehensive capital budget, to make an appropriation, levy or authorize a new tax, increase an
existing tax, levy, authorize, increase, decrease, or repeal a fee, dedicate revenue, legislate with
regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, reductions, repeals, or credits, or legislate with
regard to the issuance of bonds. Provides exceptions to this subject matter limitation, including
allowing members to prefile up to five "general" matters and local and special bills which are
required to be advertised.
Present constitution requires proposed legislation to be introduced to be prefiled no later than five
o'clock in the evening of the 10th calendar day prior to the first day of a regular session. Provides
that proposed legislation to effect a change in a retirement system for public employees to be prefiled
for introduction shall be prefiled no later than 5 p.m. of the 45th calendar day prior to the first day
of a regular session.
Present constitution provides for deadlines for introduction of matters intended to have the effect of
law in each regular session. Provides for deadlines for consideration on third reading and final passage of such matters in each regular session, except by a two-thirds vote of each house.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides instead that the legislature shall meet in regular session
at least once in every year and such session shall begin at noon on the second Monday in February
and adjourn sine die no later than 6 p.m. on May 31st, unless the legislature provides otherwise by
joint rule adopted by a favorable vote of two-thirds of the elected members of each house and
according to the same procedure and formalities required for the passage of a law, except for
gubernatorial veto and time limitations for introduction.
Present constitution limits the duration of the organizational session of the legislature at the
beginning of each term to three legislative days. Proposed constitutional amendment changes the
limitation to three days and otherwise retains present constitution.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held
Nov. 5, 2024.
(Amends Const. Article III, ยง2(A) and (D))