House approves civil removal procedure for elected officials, prompting constitutional and due-process questions

The Louisiana House on Tuesday passed legislation creating a civil removal procedure for certain public officials accused of malfeasance or gross misconduct. Supporters framed the bill as an accountability mechanism; opponents warned it could permit a single legislative chamber or the attorney general to initiate proceedings that suspend elected officials pending investigation, raising concerns about due process and partisan application.

Representative Doreen, who presented the bill on the floor, said the legislation implements Article 10 provisions by providing a statutory procedure for removal suits and ancillary remedies. Lawmakers debated definitions for "gross misconduct" and asked whether the bill would allow the attorney general to act without concurrence from both chambers. Committee amendments clarified that certain attorney-general actions are conditioned on an affirmative two-thirds vote by either the House or Senate.

Representative Green and other critics repeatedly said the bill risks enabling removal without the higher safeguards traditionally associated with impeachment or criminal conviction. Representative Green warned the measure could let a supermajority of one chamber suspend an official "while they're investigating it or bringing it to court," removing a member from their seat and allowing an appointee to fill the position without the suspended member being convicted of any felony.

Proponents said the statute fills a gap in existing law by setting out procedures and standards for civil removal in cases that do not amount to criminal convictions, with judicial review available.

Vote: The bill passed on the floor by a 58-31 roll-call vote.