Committee reports HCR 80 to clarify 48-hour notice for spending votes

The Louisiana Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs reported HCR 80 favorably on June 8, 2025, a resolution intended to clarify when the 48-hour layover required by a recent Louisiana constitutional amendment begins for spending-authority measures.

Chairman Beaulieu told the committee, "HCR 80 is in response to the constitutional amendment that the people of Louisiana passed, last year requiring a 48 hour notice, before, we vote on, spending instruments, basically, so that we're not pressed at the last minute to have to make votes. The 48 hour window, you know, like if y'all can imagine right now coming into the last week of session is is important. And if we don't get it right, we're gonna be here past Thursday." He said the resolution is intended to clarify that the summaries typically distributed for appropriations bills and conference committee reports will suffice to start the 48-hour period once the receiving chamber has received them.

Senator Amiguez asked how the process would apply to the public and to members: "So we, as the for the public to know, we have changed the way we do our appropriations process with a new constitutional amendment that requires the bill to lay over for, I believe, 48 hours to allow the public to weigh in before both chambers take it up on its last approval, correct?" Chairman Beaulieu replied, "That's correct," and added that the summaries "would be made public to both" chambers and that, in practice, receiving the summary and bill would start the 48-hour window rather than waiting for scheduling on an upcoming calendar.

Committee members also discussed technology upgrades to make bill changes and amendments more immediately visible to members and the public. Senator Amiguez urged the membership to consider modernizing drafting and amendment-tracking systems, noting such upgrades "have a price tag associated with it, but it's a technological upgrade." Chairman Beaulieu said leadership has been discussing potential upgrades.

The committee approved the minutes on a voice vote after a motion by the vice chair, and later, with no objections, "we'll report that bill," indicating HCR 80 was sent forward from the committee. No public testimony cards were submitted for the item.

The committee adjourned after a motion to adjourn by Senator Fessi.