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House committee backs plan to move session-timing rules from constitution to joint rule; bill advances
Summary
Representative Green's constitutional amendment would allow the legislature to set session start and end dates by joint rule (proposed second Monday in January through May 1); committee adopted amendments and reported the bill favorably after debate on staff impacts, prefile deadlines and safeguards.
Representative Green asked the committee to move HB 752, which would amend constitutional language to let the legislature set regular-session start and end dates by joint rule rather than embedding specific dates in the constitution. Green said the change would give lawmakers flexibility to set a start date (he proposed the second Monday in January) and require adjournment no later than May 1, while leaving details to joint rule adopted by two‑thirds votes of each chamber.
Members and witnesses debated the practical consequences. Business groups cautioned that moving timing into rules could reduce predictability for employers and advocates; Jim Patterson of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry said businesses value certainty. Citizen advocates urged keeping prefile deadlines. Supporters argued the change would allow more thoughtful scheduling, reduce last‑minute jam sessions and adapt to modern staffing realities. The committee adopted a package of amendments (set 22‑68) that included emergency‑related language and then voted by roll call to report the bill favorably (9 yeas, 4 nays).
The measure will continue through the legislative process and — as a constitutional amendment — would require further steps before enactment.
