Louisiana Senate Bill SB64

Louisiana 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/18
• Refer: 2/21/18
• Refer: 3/12/18
• Report Pass: 3/14/18
• Engrossed: 3/20/18
• Refer: 3/21/18
• Report Pass: 4/16/18

Caption

Re-creates the Department of Public Service. (6/30/18)

Impact

By re-establishing the Department of Public Service, SB 64 aims to prevent gaps in regulatory oversight that could arise from the termination of its statutory entities. The bill ensures continuous operations and helps streamline the regulation process for public services, thereby offering a stable framework for the management and oversight of these entities. This legislative measure is also aligned with the provisions of Louisiana's 'Sunset' law, which requires periodic reviews of statutory entities and aims to eliminate inefficiencies within governmental structures.

Summary

Senate Bill 64 aims to re-create the Department of Public Service and its statutory entities, which were set to terminate their operations on July 1, 2018. The bill introduces changes to existing laws to ensure the continuation of the department's authority and oversight over various regulatory entities. This re-creation is essential for maintaining the functionality of these services, as the statutory authority was otherwise slated to cease completely. The law specifies that the new termination date for these entities, if not re-created again, will be July 1, 2023.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 64 seems largely supportive among legislators who recognize the need for structured oversight in public service regulation. The bill passed the Senate unanimously with a vote of 29 to 0, suggesting a consensus on the importance of maintaining these regulatory frameworks. However, there may also be underlying concerns regarding the periodic review process dictated by the 'Sunset' law and how it affects future governance of these entities.

Contention

While the bill received clear support, potential points of contention focus on how the 'Sunset' law could be applied in future reviews and whether re-creating statutory entities will ultimately lead to increased bureaucracy or enhance operational efficiencies. Critics might argue that continuous re-creation could lead to a lack of accountability and ineffective oversight if not coupled with rigorous evaluations of each entity's performance.