Resolution for censure of governor for failing to follow the law

2025 Regular Session

The bill would formally censure the governor for “failing to follow the law,” serving as a non-binding legislative rebuke rather than legal penalties.

(LC) Draft Died in Process

#publicofficersandemployees

LC 2238 — Summary

Overview

Type: Resolution (non-binding)

Title: Resolution for censure of governor for failing to follow the law

Subject: Public Officers and Employees

Status: Draft Died in Process

Introduced: December 7, 2024

Legislative actions:

2024-12-07: Drafter Assigned
2025-01-20: Draft On Hold
2025-05-22: Draft Died in Process

Notes: The available information indicates this measure would take the form of a formal censure of the governor by the legislature for alleged failure to follow the law. The exact text and provisions are not provided in the summary data.

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to formally express disapproval of the governor’s conduct by issuing a censure for “failing to follow the law.” As a resolution, it would represent the legislature’s official stance rather than create new legal penalties or remove the governor from office.

The resolution would set a public record of legislative concern regarding compliance with legal requirements by the governor.

Key Provisions (as described by title; full text not available)

Objective: Issue a formal censure of the governor.

Typical elements (not guaranteed in the available data): preamble stating findings or concerns, a resolution of censure directed at the governor, and a declaratory statement of the legislature’s position.

Important caveat: Without the full text, specific findings, scope, procedural steps, or references to particular laws or events are not confirmed.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary target: The governor.

Legislative body: The body proposing and voting on the resolution; other state officials and public officers may be referenced in the resolution.

Public and constituents: The resolution would convey the legislature’s stance and could influence public discourse, though it would not impose legal penalties or alter the governor’s formal authority.

Administrative/operational effects: None legally binding beyond formal censure; no direct budgetary or statutory changes are indicated.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: December 7, 2024

Draft status changes:

December 2024: Drafter Assigned
January 2025: Draft On Hold
May 2025: Draft Died in Process

Current status: The draft has died in process, meaning it did not advance toward enactment and would not become law.

Potential Impact and Context

Legal effect: Non-binding; serves as a formal warning or rebuke rather than a mechanism to remove or sanction the governor through statute.

Political and public signaling: Could influence political narrative and public accountability discussions, potentially affecting relations between the governor and the legislature.

Next steps: With the draft having died in process, there is no immediate path to enactment unless reintroduced in a future session with new language and sponsorship.

If you’d like, I can compare this with typical resolution-based censures in similar jurisdictions or seek out the full text to provide a line-by-line analysis.