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.

Regular legislative session through Jun. 4, 2023

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 9 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 12 passed Senate committee; HB 70 passed Senate committee; HB 81 passed Senate committee; HB 131 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 147 passed the House; HB 166 passed Senate committee; HB 182 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 188 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 208 with major amendment passed Senate committee; HB 304 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 311 passed Senate committee; HB 315 passed Senate committee and passed the Senate; HB 321 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 326 passed the Senate; HB 362 passed Senate committee; HB 466 passed Senate committee; HB 524 passed the Senate and was sent to the governor; HB 648 was recommitted and with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 650 was passed by the Senate and concurred in; SB 48 passed House committee; SB 51 passed the House and was sent to the governor; SB 63 passed the House and was sent to the secretary of state; SB 159 passed House committee.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: SB 33 passed House committee; SB 149 failed to pass the Senate and was withdrawn.

SCORECARD:

Regular legislative session through May 28, 2023

SB 66, after essentially adding the contents of HB 648 to it, has been added as a good bill.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 16 passed Senate committee; HB 47 failed to pass the House; HB 131 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 304 passed Senate committee; HB 523 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 650 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; SB 1 passed House committee; SB 6 passed House committee; SB 7 passed House committee; SB 66 with major amendment passed the House; SB 163 passed House committee; SB 197 with minor amendment passed House committee; SB 201 with minor amendment passed House committee.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 117 passed Senate committee; SB 33 passed the Senate.

Regular legislative session through May 21, 2023

HB 286 was amended into a benign form, and thusly is removed from the list of bad bills. The same is true for HB 519 as well as SB 111.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 5 passed Senate committee; HB 8 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 98 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 131 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 147 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 151 passed House committee; HB 212 with major amendment passed the House; HB 311 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 315 with major amendment passed the House; HB 362 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 461 was deferred involuntarily; HB 498 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 524 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 646 passed the House; HB 648 with minor amendment; HB 650 with minor amendment passed the House; SB 1 with major amendment passed the Senate; SB 6 with major amendment passed the Senate; SB 7 with minor amendment passed the Senate; SB 51 passed House committee; SB 63 passed House committee; SB 159 passed the Senate; SB 163 with minor amendment passed the Senate.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 117 passed the House; HB 175 was deferred involuntarily; HB 242 passed Senate committee; HB 250 with major amendment passed Senate committee; HB 351 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 396 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 490 with major amendment passed the House; HB 596 was deferred involuntarily.

Regular legislative session through May 14, 2023

HB 211 in committee was amended to make it benign, and has been removed from the list of bad bills. The same happened with HB 588 and HB 606.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 8 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 16 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 25 was deferred involuntarily; HB 70 passed the House; HB 81 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 152 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 182 passed the House; HB 188 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 278 passed the House; HB 291 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; HB 304 passed the House; HB 311 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 315 with major amendment passed House committee; HB 321 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 340 passed the House; HB 466 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 558 with minor amendment passed the House; SB 163 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; SB 197 with minor amendment passed the Senate.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 242 passed the House; HB 396 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 490 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 562 with major amendment passed Senate committee; HB 641 passed House committee; SB 149 with minor amendment passed Senate committee.

Regular legislative session through May 7, 2023

HB 21 was amended to make it benign, and was removed from the bad bill list as a result.

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 12 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 16 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 70 passed House committee; HB 159 was substituted for; HB 182 passed House committee: HB 208 passed the House; HB 278 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 304 passed House committee; HB 326 passed House committee; HB 362 passed House committee; HB 463 was substituted for; HB 507 was substituted for; HB 646 passed House committee in substitute form; HB 648 passed House committee in substitute form; HB 650 passed House committee in substitute form; SB 7 with minor amendment again passed Senate committee; SB 63 with minor amendment passed the Senate; SB 197 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; SB 201 with minor amendment passed the Senate.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 250 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 545 was deferred involuntarily; SB 168 passed Senate committee.

Regular legislative session through May 1, 2023

THIS WEEK FOR THE GOOD: HB 5 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 8 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 9 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 47 passed House committee; HB 62 passed House committee and the House; HB 81 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 98 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 166 passed House committee and the House; HB 170 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 188 with minor amendment passed the House; HB 208 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 212 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 291 passed the House; HB 321 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 340 with minor amendment passed House committee; HB 466 passed House committee; HB 529 passed House committee; HB 558 with minor amendment passed House committee; SB 1 with major amendment passed Senate committee; SB 7 passed Senate committee; SB 19 with minor amendment passed Senate committee; SB 159 passed Senate committee; SB 201 with minor amendment passed the Senate.

THIS WEEK FOR THE BAD: HB 24 was deferred involuntarily; HB 242 passed House committee; HB 562 with major amendment passed House committee; HB 621 was deferred involuntarily; SB 11 passed Senate committee.

SCORECARD:

Regular legislative session through Apr. 23, 2023

Bill filing is complete, and so final additions to good and bad bills occurred.

THE GOOD: HB 615 by Rep. Valarie Hodges would assess a fee on remittances to foreign countries dedicated to English as a second language instruction.

THE BAD: HB 621 by Rep. Mack Cormier would tax selectively college football game tickets to fund state-subsidized train travel; HB 626 by Rep. Rodney Lyons makes taxpayers subsidize lost/relocated-out-of-state jobs; HB 641 by Rep. Stuart Bishop repeals tax exceptions without lowering rates that induces tax increases; SB 226 by Sen. Jacob Luneau would make permanent an earned income tax credit of ten percent.

Regular legislative session through Apr. 16, 2023

As is typical, for more meaningful bills things get off to a slow start. HB 322 did receive a committee hearing and was transformed into a benign bill, thus causing its removal from the bad bill list.

SCORECARD:
Total number of bills, House: 609; total number of bills, Senate: 220.

Total number of good bills, House: 59; total number of good bills, Senate: 20.

 

Total number of bad bills, House: 35; total number of bad bills, Senate: 9.

 

Total House good bills heard in House committee: 0; total Senate good bills heard in Senate committee: 0.

 

Total House bad bills heard in House committee: 0; total Senate bad bills heard in Senate committee: 1.

 

Total House good bills approved by House committee: 0; total Senate good bills passed by Senate committee: 0.

 

Total House bad bills approved by House committee: 0; total Senate bad bills passed by Senate committee: 0.

 

Total House good bills approved by House: 0; total Senate good bills approved by Senate: 0.

 

Total House bad bills approved by House: 0; total Senate bad bills approved by Senate: 0.

 

Total House good bills heard in Senate committee: 0; total Senate good bills heard in House committee: 0.

 

Total House bad bills heard in Senate committee: 0; total Senate bad bills heard in House committee: 0.

 

Total House good bills approved by Senate committee: 0; total Senate good bills approved by House committee: 0.

 

Total House bad bills approved by Senate committee: 0; total Senate bad bills approved by House committee: 0.

 

Total House good bills approved by Senate: 0; total Senate good bills approved by House: 0.

 

Total House bad bills approved by Senate: 0; total Senate bad bills approved by House: 0.

 

Total House good bills going to governor: 0; total Senate good bills going to governor: 0.

 

Total House bad bills going to governor: 0; total Senate bad bills going to governor: 0.

 

Total House good bills signed by governor/filed with Secretary of State: 0; total Senate good bills signed by governor/filed with Secretary of State: 0.

Total House bad bills signed by governor/filed with Secretary of State: 0; total Senate bad bills signed by governor/filed with Secretary of State: 0.

Good, Bad, and Ugly bills for the 2023 Regular Session

Welcome to the 2023 Regular Session version of the Louisiana Legislature Log. As always, it begins with a recitation of good, bad, and ugly bills prefiled in advance of the Louisiana Legislature’s regular session.

THE GOOD: HB 5 by Rep. Larry Frieman would make fathers of established paternity pay half of child-bearing expenses borne by the mother unmarried to him; HB 8 by Rep. Dodie Horton would require display of the national motto “In God We Trust” in every elementary and secondary education classroom; HB 9 by Rep. Rhonda Butler would give students with disabilities school choice; HB 12 by Rep. Richard Nelson would require most students failing reading in third grade to repeat; HB 16 by Rep. Laurie Schlegel would discourage chronic burglary; HB 25 by Rep. Paul Hollis would induce greater accountability from parish library boards of control; HB 47 by Nelson would amend the Constitution to allocate a quarter of declared nonrecurring revenues to reducing unfunded accrued liabilities; HB 51 by Jonathan Goudeau would provide more accountability for receiving unemployment insurance payments (similar bill: HB 456); HB 62 by Rep. Tony Bacala would start rolling off early the 0.45 percent temporary sales tax (similar bills: HB 71, HB 170; HB 257); HB 66 by Rep. Debbie Villio would discourage criminal behavior by people under corrections supervision (similar bills: HB 70, HB 149, HB 151, HB 188); HB 81 by Rep. Raymond Crews would protect school personnel from harassment and children from unscrupulous activists; HB 98 by Rep. Lance Harris would expand school choice for all children; HB 131 by Rep. Danny McCormick would expand firearm concealed carry (similar bill: HB 234); HB 146 by Rep. Mark Wright would create a flat income tax (similar bills: HB 147, HB 241, HB 303); HB 152 by Rep. Beryl Amedee would amend the Constitution to codify parents’ rights; HB 156 by Rep. Philip Devillier would reduce outlay from the Motion Picture Investors Tax Credit (similar bill: HB 214); HB 159 by Rep. Les Farnum provides for a supplemental annual canvass of voters; HB 166 by Bacala would improve budgeting; HB 173 by Devillier would phase individual and trust income taxes; HB 182 by Rep. Kathy Edmonston would level the field for vaccinations; HB 203 by Devillier would amend out of the Constitution the property tax exemption for food for home consumption, certain utilities for residential use, and prescription drugs (with HB 204 putting that into statute); HB 208 by Rep. Alan Seabaugh would make it more difficult for young adults to evade responsibility for committing crimes (similar bill: SB 159); HB 212 by Hollis would change recall standards from a proportion of the electorate to a proportion of the previous vote; HB 246 by DeVillier would phase out corporate income taxes; HB 263 by Rep. Ryan Bourriaque would level the playing field for alcohol manufacturers (similar bill: HS 524); HB 278 by Rep. Jack McFarland would amend the Constitution to increase mineral revenues to parishes and mandate much of that be spent on transportation; HB 291 by Rep. Chuck Owen would ensure visitation rights to institutionalized clients; HB 304 by Rep. Joe Orgeron would prevent candidates resigning office from then filling the vacancy (similar bill: HB 362); HB 307 by Rep. Zee Zeringue would prevent overpayment of officials’ lodging, meals, and incidental expenses; HB 311 by Rep. Blake Miguez would prevent outsourcing of elections to foreign or private concerns; HB 315 by Chuck Owen would create more opportunity for public schools to instruct in the basics; HB 321 by Vilio would increase transparency about criminal investigation and prosecution; HB 326 by Nelson would improve teacher education (similar bill: SB 163); HB 340 by Rep. Troy Romero would reform unemployment compensation to increase encouragement of employment; HB 417 by Rep. Brett Geymann would bring a better long-term outlook to budgeting (similar bills: HB 418, HB 451); HB 437 by Nelson would create a flat corporate income tax; HB 461 by Rep. Mary DuBuisson clarifies into statute legal pregnancy termination not abortion; HB 463 by Rep. Gabe Firment would prohibit sex reassignment surgery on minors; HB 466 by Horton would prohibit school employee discussion of sexual identity outside of state content standards except as part of counseling with parental consent; HB 507 by Rep. Rick Edmonds would reduce taxpayer costs for public notice printing; HB 529 by Edmonds would increase pharmacy options for some state and local employees; HB 558 by Rep. Beau Beaullieu would create a single entry system for merchants paying state and local sales taxes.