As the runoff election held on November 18th has passed, Louisiana citizens were given the opportunity to vote their favorite politicians into elected roles. In addition to this, voters also took to the ballots to cast their votes on four constitutional amendments which were proposed earlier this year.

The first amendment was proposed by Representative Miller and would amend Article III, Section 18. This would change the gubernatorial veto process to allow legislation to override a veto without the need to end the regular session beforehand.

The official bill language is 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)”

The second proposed amendment would repeal Article VII, sections 4 (D) (4)(b), 10.4, 10.10, and 10.12 (B)(C) as well as Article IX, sections 9 and 10. This would repeal certain special funds and provide transfer of remaining balances of these special funds to the state general fund.

The official bill language is 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 three would determine whether or not certain first responders - such as firefighters and police officers - would be eligible for property tax exemptions in certain parishes throughout the state. It would be added as Article VII, section 21 (O). This amendment was proposed in an attempt to help retain and hire more first responders. However, each parish would have to make their own decision.

The official bill language is 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))”

Last but not least, proposed amendment four calls for an amendment to Article VII, Section 10.15 (E)(1) and (F) and to add Article VII, section 10.15 (G). This amendment would provide more detailed rules for what exactly lawmakers can do with state funds in the case of a budget shortfall. This amendment, if passed, would restrict access to the state’s savings accounts.

The official bill language is 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))"