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2025 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 20
BY SENATOR WHEAT
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS. Constitutional amendment to change the number of general
bills a legislator may file during regular sessions that occur during odd-numbered years and
for legislating with regard to dedication or rededication of funds. (2/3-CA13sl(A))
1 A JOINT RESOLUTION
2 Proposing to amend Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative
3 to the legislature; to provide for the consideration of certain legislative instruments
4 during regular sessions convened in odd-numbered years; to provide with respect to
5 legislation regarding taxes or fees; to provide for legislation to dedicate or rededicate
6 funds; to provide for the number of legislative instruments that may be prefiled
7 during regular sessions convened in odd-numbered years; and to specify an election
8 for submission of the proposition to electors and provide a ballot proposition.
9 Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members
10 elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state, for
11 their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to amend Article III,
12 Section 2(A)(4)(b) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
13 ยง2. Sessions
14 Section 2. (A) Annual Session.
15 * * *
16 (4) * * *
17 (b) During any session convening in an odd-numbered year, no matter
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 20
SLS 25RS-142 ENGROSSED
1 intended to have the effect of law, including any suspension of law, shall be
2 introduced or considered unless its object is to enact the General Appropriation Bill;
3 enact the comprehensive capital budget; make an appropriation; levy or authorize a
4 new tax; increase an existing tax; levy, authorize, increase, decrease, or repeal a fee;
5 dedicate revenue; legislate with regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions,
6 reductions, repeals, or credits legislate with regard to taxes or fees; legislate with
7 regard to the dedication or rededication of funds; or legislate with regard to the
8 issuance of bonds. In addition, a matter intended to have the effect of law, including
9 a measure proposing a suspension of law, which is not within the subject matter
10 restrictions provided in this Subparagraph may be considered at any such session if:
11 (i) It is prefiled no later than the deadline provided in Subparagraph (2) of
12 this Paragraph, provided that the member shall not prefile more than five seven such
13 matters pursuant to this Subsubparagraph; or
14 (ii) Its object is to enact a local or special law which is required to be and has
15 been advertised in accordance with Section 13 of this Article and which is not
16 prohibited by the provisions of Section 12 of this Article.
17 * * *
18 Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted to
19 the electors of the state of Louisiana at a statewide election to be held on November 3, 2026,
20 or on April 18, 2026, if an Act is passed to provide for a statewide election on April 18,
21 2026, whichever date occurs first.
22 Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at said election
23 there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted
24 to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as
25 follows:
26 Do you support an amendment to change the number of bills that a legislator
27 may prefile in an odd-numbered year from five to seven and expand the
28 subject matter restriction in odd-numbered years to include bills that dedicate
29 or rededicate funds?
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 20
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1 (Amends Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b))
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, 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)]
DIGEST
SB 20 Engrossed 2025 Regular Session Wheat
Present constitution (Art. III, Sec. 2(A)(4)(b)) provides that all regular sessions convening
in odd-numbered years shall be restricted, by subject matter, to the following:
(1)Enacting the General Appropriation Bill, implementing a capital budget, or making
an appropriation.
(2)Levying or authorizing a new tax or increasing an existing tax.
(3)Levying, authorizing, increasing, decreasing, or repealing a fee.
(4)Dedicating revenue.
(5)Legislating with regard to tax exemptions, exclusions, deductions, reductions,
repeals, or credits.
(6)Legislating with regard to the issuance of bonds.
(7)Considering five prefiled general bills per legislator that are not fiscal in nature.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution and increases the number
of nonfiscal, general, prefiled bills that may be filed by each legislator from five to seven.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution and provides that a fiscal bill
may include the dedication or rededication of funds.
Specifies submission of the amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held on
November 3, 2026, or on April 18, 2026, if an Act is passed to provide for an earlier
statewide election, whichever occurs first.
(Amends Const. Art. III, Sec. 2(A)(4)(b))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Senate and
Governmental Affairs to the original bill
1. Provides for dedication or rededication of funds.
2. Adds provisions for statewide election.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.