WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 752

LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides that the timing and duration of regular sessions of the legislature may be set by joint rule of the legislature (EGF DECREASE GF EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kyle Green

Allows the Legislature to set regular session start/end dates and most filing/introductory deadlines by joint rule with two-thirds approval.

Read by title, returned to the calendar.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 752

Summary of HB 752 (Louisiana 2026) – Legislative Sessions: Constitutional Amendment

Purpose and Intent

  • HB 752 proposes a constitutional amendment to Article III, Section 2(A) and (D) of the Louisiana Constitution.
  • The core aim is to change how the regular sessions of the Legislature are scheduled and managed. Specifically, it would allow the timing and duration of annual regular sessions to be set by joint rule of the Legislature, rather than fixed constitutional dates and day limits.
  • The proposal also seeks to eliminate several subject-matter restrictions and prefiling/introductory deadlines for legislative instruments, while authorizing the Legislature to govern session timing by joint rule adopted with two-thirds support in each house.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Regular Session Timing and Duration:
    • The amendment would require regular sessions to begin on a date set by joint rule and to end by a date set by joint rule, rather than the current fixed schedule.
    • It would authorize the Legislature to adopt joint rules to determine when sessions begin and end, subject to a two-thirds vote of each house.
  • Subject Matter Restrictions and Deadlines:
    • Current restrictions on what can be introduced or enacted during certain sessions would be removed or significantly loosened. This includes deadlines for prefiling and for the introduction and final passage of measures.
    • The amendment would remove most of the existing limitations on the subject matter of bills that can be considered in regular sessions.
  • Organizational Session:
    • The existing organizational session provisions would be repealed or modified, removing the mandatory three-day limit for organizational sessions (the bill’s amendments and committee amendments reflect changes to organizational session mechanics).
  • Extensions of Regular Sessions:
    • The current provision allowing a two-thirds vote to extend a regular session by up to six calendar days would be retained under the existing framework, but under the amended structure, extensions would be governed by joint rules rather than a fixed constitutional template.
  • Ballot Language and Submission:
    • If approved, the amendment would be submitted to voters at the November 3, 2026 statewide election.
    • The ballot language would ask voters to authorize the Legislature to set regular session timing by joint rule and to remove certain prefiling and passage deadlines.

Who/What would be Affected

  • The Legislature itself would gain flexibility to schedule annual regular sessions via joint rules requiring a two-thirds vote in each house.
  • Legislative staff and stakeholders would face changes in filing timelines and procedural deadlines (reduced or removed), potentially shortening or extending the window for bill drafting, prefiling, and floor action, depending on future joint rules.
  • Public participation timing and notice mechanisms around session start/end dates could change accordingly, depending on the adopted joint rules.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • This is a proposed constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both houses to place the measure on the ballot.
  • If approved by voters in 2026, the amendment would take effect as specified and would govern future regular sessions, with the specifics to be defined by future joint rules.
  • The joint-rule framework would supersede current statutory-like constraints on session dates and bill consideration.

Additional Notes

  • The bill’s text includes amendments and a Committee Amendment history that remove organizational-session requirements and realign timing rules. The official ballot language asks voters to approve the change to enable joint-rule-based session timing and the removal of certain procedural restrictions.
  • A two-thirds vote requirement means broad legislative consensus would be needed to enact these changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.