The Legislative Process

Legislative Session

The Louisiana Legislature is composed of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Annually, the Louisiana Legislature convenes for what is called a legislative session. A legislative session is a period of time in which the legislature meets for the purpose of lawmaking.

In Louisiana, there are five types of legislative sessions: Organizational, Emergency, Extraordinary (Special), Regular, and Veto.

• An Organizational Session is primarily for the election of officers and organization of both houses.
• An Emergency Session may be convened in the event of a public emergency such as a natural disaster.
• An Extraordinary or Special Session may be convened for any number of reasons by the governor or officers of the legislature. For example, in 2018 there were three extraordinary sessions, all related to taxes and other revenue raising measures.
• A Regular Session is the most common type and takes place annually for the purposes of lawmaking and allocating funds. There are two types of regular sessions:
• General 
  –  Convene in even-numbered years at noon the second Monday in March
  –  Last no more than 60 legislative days
  –  No new taxes, tax increases, exemptions, exclusions, deductions, credits, rebates, incentives, or abatements may be introduced or enacted.
• Fiscal
  –  Convene in odd-numbered years at noon the second Monday in April
  –  Last no more than 45 legislative days
  –  No matters shall be introduced or considered unless they relate to fiscal (money) matters or local or special laws
• A Veto Session is primarily for the purpose of overriding a governor’s veto of a bill. Veto sessions are extremely rare, with the last session in Louisiana taking place 39 years ago. Veto sessions may convene if the majority of the members of both chambers declare in writing that a veto session is necessary. Should a veto session occur, it would convene on the fortieth day following adjournment of the most recent session and shall not exceed five calendar days.

Legislative Instruments

Bill Types

A bill is a legislative instrument proposed by a legislator(s) to change or enact a new law or to repeal existing law (Act), or to propose changes or additions to the constitution (joint resolutions). There are eleven different bill types:

1. House Bill – A bill introduced into the House of Representatives.
2. House Concurrent Resolution – A resolution introduced in the House to be considered by both houses that can be used to express legislative intent, authorize certain suits, adopt or change joint rules of the legislature, memorialize Congress, and request or direct a state agency to take a specified action.
3. House Concurrent Study Request – A request from the House of Representatives for a study by a standing committee of each house of the legislature.
4. House Resolution – A resolution passed by only the House of Representatives that expresses an opinion or intent, but does not have the force of law.
5. House Study Request – A request for a study by a standing committee of the House of Representatives.
6. Senate Bill – A bill introduced into the Senate.
7. Senate Concurrent Resolution – A resolution introduced in the Senate to be considered by both houses that can be used to express legislative intent, authorize certain suits, adopt or change joint rules of the legislature, memorialize Congress, and request or direct a state agency to take a specified action.
8. Senate Concurrent Study Request – A request from the Senate for a study by a standing committee of each house of the legislature.
9. Senate Resolution – A resolution passed by only the Senate that expresses an opinion or intent, but does not have the force of law.
10. Senate Study Request  – A request for a study by a standing committee of the Senate.
11. Act – A bill that has been finally passed by the House and Senate, enrolled, signed by the legislative presiding officers, signed by the governor (or allowed to become law without his signature), and assigned an Act number by the secretary of state.

There are various rules as to how many bills legislators can introduce, when the bills can be introduced and the subject matter of the bills. Once a bill is filed and the legislative session begins, the bill begins the process of becoming a law.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Retrieved from www.legis.la.gov

Bill Status

As bills go through the legislative process, their status changes. Because of this, you will notice different versions of the bill.

• Original – The bill in its original form.
• Engrossed – The original bill with committee amendments incorporated.
• Reengrossed – The engrossed bill with floor amendments incorporated.
• Enrolled – A bill in its final form, including all amendments adopted by both houses to be submitted to the governor for approval or veto.
• Act – A bill that has been finally passed by the House and Senate, enrolled, signed by the legislative presiding officers, signed by the governor (or allowed to become law without his signature), and assigned an Act number by the secretary of state.