?NOTICE
Proposed Constitutional Amendments to be voted on at the Gubernatorial General Election November 18, 2023
CODING: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and/or
underscored are additions.
Proposed Amendment No. 1
Regular Session, 2022
ACT No. 278
HOUSE BILL NO. 166
BY REPRESENTATIVE GREGORY MILLER
A JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing to amend Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to provide relative to gubernatorial action on a bill and matters related thereto; to provide relative to veto sessions; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to amend Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
§18. Gubernatorial Action on Bills; Sign, Failure to Sign, Veto; Veto Session
Section 18.(A) Gubernatorial Action. If the governor does not approve a bill, he may veto it. A bill, except a joint resolution, shall become law if the governor signs it or if he fails to sign or veto it within ten days after delivery to him if the legislature is in the session in which the bill passed on the tenth day after such delivery, or within twenty days after delivery if the tenth day after delivery occurs after the legislature legislative session in which the bill passed is adjourned.
(B) Veto Message. If the governor vetoes a bill, he shall return it to the legislature, with his veto message, within twelve days after delivery to him if the legislature is in the session in which the bill passed. If the governor returns a vetoed bill after the legislature adjourns legislative session in which the bill passed is adjourned, he shall return it, with his veto message, as provided by law.
(C) Veto Session. (1) A bill vetoed and returned and subsequently approved by two-thirds of the elected members of each house shall become law. The legislature shall meet in veto session in the state capital at noon on the fortieth day following final adjournment of the most recent each session in which a bill that finally passed was vetoed, to consider all bills passed during that session that were vetoed by the governor and that were not reconsidered by the house of origin during the session in which the bill passed. If the fortieth day falls on Sunday, the session shall convene at noon on the succeeding Monday. No veto session shall exceed five calendar days, and any veto session may be finally adjourned prior to the end of the fifth day upon a vote of two-thirds of the elected members of each house.
(2) No veto session shall be held if a majority of the elected members of either house declare in writing that a veto session is unnecessary. The declaration must be received by the presiding officer of the respective houses at least five days prior to the day on which the veto session is to convene.
(3) If a veto session is to be held and the time period for the conduct of the veto session occurs during a regular or extraordinary session of the legislature, the legislature may reconsider all bills vetoed by the governor and not previously reconsidered by the legislature as part of the business of the regular or extraordinary session during the time period set forth in Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph without the necessity of convening or adjourning a separate veto session.
Section 2. Be it further resolved that if this proposed amendment is approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon in the state, it shall become effective on January 8, 2024.
Section 3. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 18, 2023.
Section 4. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election, there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as follows:
Do you support an amendment to clarify that the timing of gubernatorial action on a bill and his return of a vetoed bill to the legislature is based upon the legislative session in which the bill passed and to authorize the legislature, if it is in session, to reconsider vetoed bills without convening a separate veto session? (Effective January 8, 2024)(Amends Article III, Section 18)
Proposed Amendment No. 2
Regular Session, 2023
ACT No. 199
HOUSE BILL NO. 254
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS
A JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing to repeal Article VII, Sections 4(D)(4)(b), 10.4, 10.10, and 10.12(B) and (C) and Article IX, Sections 9 and 10 of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to special funds in the state treasury; to provide for the repeal of certain special funds; to provide for the transfer of remaining balances of such special funds; to provide for submission of the proposed amendments to the electors; and to provide for related matters.
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to repeal Article VII, Sections 4(D)(4)(b), 10.4, 10.10, and 10.12(B) and (C) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
Section 2. Be it further resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to repeal Article IX, Sections 9 and 10 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
Section 3. Be it further resolved that the state treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any remaining balances in the funds repealed by this Joint Resolution to the state general fund upon the adoption of the amendment contained in this Joint Resolution.
Section 4. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 18, 2023.
Section 5. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election, there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as follows:
Do you support an amendment to remove provisions of the Constitution of Louisiana which created the following inactive special funds within the state treasury: Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund, Higher Education Louisiana Partnership Fund, Millennium Leverage Fund, Agricultural and Seafood Products Support Fund, First Use Tax Trust Fund, Louisiana Investment Fund for Enhancement and to provide for the transfer of any remaining monies in such funds to the state general fund? (Repeals Article VII, Sections 4(D)(4)(b), 10.4, 10.10, and 10.12(B) and (C) and Article IX, Sections 9 and 10)
Proposed Amendment No. 3
Regular Session, 2023
ACT No. 179
SENATE BILL NO. 127
BY SENATOR DUPLESSIS
A JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing to add Article VII, Section 21(O) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to ad valorem tax exemptions; to provide for an ad valorem tax exemption for certain first responders; to require the parish governing authority to approve the ad valorem tax exemption; to provide for exemption amounts; to require the tax assessor to establish a procedure to apply for the exemption; to provide for eligibility; to require taxing authorities to absorb the loss of revenue as a result of the exemptions; to provide relative to reappraisals; to provide an effective date; to provide for applicability; and to specify an election for submission of the proposition to electors and provide a ballot proposition.
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to add Article VII, Section 21(O) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
§21. Other Property Exemptions
Section 21. In addition to the homestead exemption provided for in Section 20 of this Article, the following property and no other shall be exempt from ad valorem taxation:

(O)(1) In addition to the homestead exemption authorized pursuant to the provisions of Article VII, Section 20 of this constitution, which applies to the first seven thousand five hundred dollars of the assessed valuation of property, a parish governing authority may approve an ad valorem tax exemption of up to two thousand five hundred dollars of the assessed valuation of property receiving the homestead exemption that is owned and occupied by a qualified first responder. (2) For the purposes of this Paragraph, "first responder" shall mean a volunteer firefighter who has completed within the tax year no fewer than twenty-four hours of firefighter continuing education and is an active member of the Louisiana State Firemen's Association or is on the departmental personnel roster of the Volunteer Firefighter Insurance Program of the office of state fire marshal. For the purposes of this Paragraph, "first responder" shall also mean a full-time public employee whose duties include responding rapidly to an emergency and who resides in the same parish in which their employer is located. The term includes the following: (a) Peace officer, which means any sheriff, police officer, or other person deputized by proper authority to serve as a peace officer. (b) Fire protection personnel. (c) An individual certified as emergency medical services personnel. (d) An emergency response operator or emergency services dispatcher who provides communication support services for an agency by responding to requests for assistance in emergencies. (3) The exemption provided for in this Paragraph shall only apply in a parish if it is approved by the parish governing authority. (4) Each tax assessor shall establish a procedure whereby a person may annually apply for the exemption which shall include the production of documents by the first responder. In the application for the exemption, the first responder shall produce documentation issued by his employer evidencing employment for the taxable period for which the exemption is being requested. (5) Notwithstanding any provision of this constitution to the contrary, any decrease in the total amount of ad valorem tax collected by the taxing authority as a result of an ad valorem tax exemption granted pursuant to this Paragraph shall be absorbed by the taxing authority and shall not create any additional tax liability for other taxpayers in the taxing district as a result of any subsequent reappraisal and valuation or millage adjustment. Implementation of the exemption authorized in this Paragraph shall neither trigger nor be cause for a reappraisal of property or an adjustment of millages. Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 18, 2023. Section 3. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment, if approved by the electors, shall become effective on January 1, 2024, and shall apply to ad valorem taxes due beginning in tax year 2024 and thereafter.
Section 4. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at said election, there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as follows:
Do you support an amendment to authorize the local governing authority of a parish to provide an ad valorem tax exemption for qualified first responders? (Adds Article VII, Section 21(O))
Proposed Amendment No. 4
Regular Session, 2023
ACT No. 198
HOUSE BILL NO. 244
BY REPRESENTATIVE BISHOP
A JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing to amend Article VII, Section 10.15(E)(1) and (F) and to add Article VII, Section 10.15(G) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to the use of monies in the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to amend Article VII, Section 10.15(E)(1) and (F) and to add Article VII, Section 10.15(G) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
§10.15. Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund
Section 10.15. Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund.

(E)(1) Except as provided for in Paragraph (F) (G) of this Section, monies deposited into the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund shall be permanently credited to the trust fund and shall be invested by the treasurer in a manner provided for by law.

(F)(1) Except as provided in Subparagraphs (2) and (3) Paragraph (G) of this Paragraph Section, no appropriations shall be made from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. (2)(a) (G)(1) In any fiscal year in which the balance of the fund at the beginning of the year is in excess of five billion dollars, hereinafter referred to as the minimum fund balance, the legislature may appropriate an amount not to exceed ten percent, in the aggregate, of the fund balance, hereinafter referred to as the allowable percentage, for the following: for capital outlay projects in the comprehensive state capital budget, transportation infrastructure, or both. (i) Capital outlay projects in the comprehensive state capital budget. (ii) Transportation infrastructure. (b) The minimum fund balance or the allowable percentage may be changed by a law enacted by two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature. (3) In order to ensure the money in the fund is available for appropriation in an emergency the legislature may authorize an appropriation from the fund at any time for any purpose only after the consent of two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature. If the legislature is not in session, the two-thirds requirement may be satisfied upon obtaining the written consent of two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature in a manner provided by law. (2) In addition to Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph, monies in the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund may be used as follows: (a) If after the incorporation of the maximum allowable use of monies from the Budget Stabilization Fund into the official forecast for the next fiscal year, the official forecast for the next fiscal year is less than the official forecast money for the current fiscal year, the difference, not to exceed two hundred fifty million dollars, may be incorporated into the next fiscal year's official forecast. (b) If after the appropriation of the maximum allowable use of monies from the Budget Stabilization Fund for the current fiscal year, a deficit for the current fiscal year is projected due to a decrease in the official forecast, an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty million dollars may be appropriated. (c) The consent of two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature shall be required prior to the utilization of any monies in the fund pursuant to the provisions of this Subparagraph. If the legislature is not in session, the two-thirds requirement may be satisfied upon obtaining the written consent of two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature in a manner provided by law. (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Paragraph, any of the following may be changed by law enacted by two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature: (a) The minimum fund balance, the allowable percentage that may be withdrawn, or both, as provided in Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph. (b) The maximum amount that may be withdrawn as provided Subparagraph (2) of this Paragraph. Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 18, 2023. Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election, there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as follows: Do you support an amendment authorizing the legislature, after securing a two-thirds vote of each house, to use up to two hundred fifty million dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to alleviate a budget deficit subject to conditions set forth by law and allowing the legislature to modify such conditions for accessing the monies in the fund, subject to two-thirds vote? (Amends Article VII, Section 10.15(E)(1) and (F); Adds Article VII, Section 10.15(G))
RUN: Oct. 5 (O 2)