Regular legislative session-plus scores, 2023

With everything dealt with, and veto session conlcuded, the Louisiana Legislature Log presents its 2023 Louisiana Legislature scorecard. Thirteen bills were selected and weighed for computation. These were chosen from the watch list compiled throughout the session. For a bill’s vote to be selected, in one chamber there had to be more than one legislator not voting for the winning or losing side.

Being that passage of bills depends upon the seated membership of a body, not voting is counted as a negative vote. However, if a legislator had a leave of absence granted for that day, his absent votes weren’t counted for bills voted on that day and the score adjusted to take that into account. In the case of constitutional amendments, the governor’s score was adjusted similarly.

For HB 648 the votes used were from the veto session, while for HB 81, HB 182, HB 188, and HB 466 House votes were from the veto session while Senate votes came from the final vote of the regular session. All others used final votes for passage in the regular session.

Regular legislative session through Jul. 2, 2023

Last week ended with the 20-day expiration of veto decisions (plus two transmittal days) after the regular session’s end for Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards to act. He did so, and in a way that almost guarantees a veto session. Thus, the Log will take a break for a couple of weeks and return to summarize that action.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 5 was signed by the governor; HB 12 was signed by the governor; HB 16 was signed by the governor; HB 70 was signed by the governor; HB 81 was vetoed by the governor; HB 182 was vetoed by the governor; HB 188 was vetoed by the governor; HB 466 was vetoed by the governor; HB 648 was vetoed by the governor; SB 1 was vetoed by the governor; SB 6 was vetoed by the governor; SB 7 was signed by the governor; SB 159 was vetoed by the governor.

Regular legislative session through Jun. 25, 2023

Only a few more days left for gubernatorial decisions on bills.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: SB 197 was signed by the governor; SB 201 was signed by the governor.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 562 was signed by the governor.

Regular legislative session through Jun. 18. 2023

It’s all about whether bills receive signatures or vetoes now, which could set up a veto session next month.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 8 was signed by the governor; HB 291 was signed by the governor; HB 304 was signed by the governor; HB 315 was signed by the governor; HB 326 was signed by the governor; HB 362 was signed by the governor; HB 466 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; HB 524 was signed by the governor; HB 648 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; HB 650 was signed by the governor; SB 163 was signed by the governor.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 242 was signed by the governor; HB 250 went to and was signed by the governor; SB 33 was signed by the governor.

Regular legislative session through Jun. 11, 2023

Mercifully, the regular session has ended, keeping pocketbooks safe awhile longer. And, SB 66 was removed from the list of good bills after its most salutary aspects were removed.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 5 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; HB 8 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; HB 12 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 16 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 70 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 81 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; HB 182 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 188 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 208 failed to pass the Senate; HB 291 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 304 was signed by the governor; HB 311 passed the Senate and was filed with the Secretary of State; HB 315 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 326 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 362 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; HB 466 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; HB 524 was signed by the governor; HB 648 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; HB 650 was signed by the governor; SB 1 passed the House, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; SB 6 passed the House, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; SB 7 with minor amendment passed the House, had its amendments rejected, then had conference report accepted; SB 51 was signed by the governor; SB 63 was filed with the Secretary of State; SB 159 with major amendment passed the House, had its amendments rejected, then had conference report accepted; SB 163 passed the House and was sent to the governor; SB 197 with minor amendment passed the House, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; SB 201 with minor amendment passed the House, had its amendments rejected, then had conference report accepted.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 242 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 250 with minor amendment passed the Senate and was concurred in; HB 562 with minor amendment passed the Senate, was concurred in, and was sent to the governor; SB 33 passed the House, had its amendments rejected, then had conference report accepted.