Ballot initiative would put a waiting period on appropriation bill amendments

(The Center Square) — A ballot initiative on the Louisiana Dec. 7 ballot would add a waiting period to amending appropriation bills.

A state appropriation bill is a law that authorizes the government to spend money on specific purposes. Appropriations are often used to fund government services such as infrastructure, welfare programs, health care programs and public colleges and universities, but they can also be used for student aid, research, agriculture, law enforcement and medical education.

This initiative prohibits the consideration of a conference committee report or senate amendments on any appropriations bill until 48 hours after the bill and a summary of the proposed changes is distributed to all legislators.

A yes vote would support the two-day waiting period and a no opposes it.

The amendment titled the Louisiana 48-Hour Waiting Period for Concurrence on Appropriation Bills Amendment is sponsored by Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Ascension. He also sponsored an amendment that would allow the Legislature to extend its regular session by two-day increments, up to a maximum of six days, in order to pass a bill appropriating money.

The waiting period amendment was introduced as House Bill 48 in May. In Louisiana, a two-thirds vote is needed in both chambers of the Legislature to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot for voter consideration.

It was passed in the House on May 1, 2024, by a vote of 98-0 and in the Senate on May 23 in a vote of 32-0.

This amendment will be one of four on the ballot Dec. 7.