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Committee advances competing constitutional‑convention proposals and schedule amendments ahead of 2028 timeline

House and Governmental Affairs Committee · April 1, 2026

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Summary

Committee members approved amended calendar and procedural language for proposed constitutional‑convention measures; two competing approaches (delegate selection and threshold rules) were debated along with deep public testimony about process and timing.

Committee debate on proposals to provide a framework for a state constitutional convention dominated the final hours of the April 1 meeting. Representative Green’s constitutional amendment (HB 2-44) would create a 144‑delegate convention drawn from house and senate districts, require two‑thirds of delegates to approve any proposal before sending it to voters, and require ratification by a majority of voters plus three‑quarters of parishes (48 of 64) to adopt a new constitution.

Separately, Representative McMakin’s convention bill (as amended by set 23-93) proposed a detailed schedule for delegate qualifying (late 2027), a spring 2028 delegate election, a convention convening April 10, 2028, and a proposed constitution to be voted in December 2028. The amendment package also called for joint legislative committee work between this committee and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee in the interim to draft convention rules and a public run of procedures to inform delegates and the public.

Witnesses and those testifying urged caution: former Representative Woody Jenkins urged the committee to slow down and build broad public foundation for a convention, saying public trust and skepticism of rapid change remain high. Other speakers urged structured, transparent interim work and clearer ballot language. Committee amendments clarified ballot text and added a requirement for the joint committees to adopt recommended procedural language. The committee reported the proposed constitutional convention framework bills favorably as amended (roll‑call recorded for HB 2-44: 12–2; for the amended convention timetable bill HB 4, 8–6). Advocates and critics said further work and broad public engagement would be necessary before any new constitution could be adopted.