House Bill No. 870, introduced by Representative McMakin, proposes the establishment of a constitutional convention in Louisiana, scheduled to convene on December 2, 2025. The convention will consist of 105 delegates, with 78 elected and 27 appointed from various parishes and organizations. The bill outlines the qualifications for delegates, the election process, and the organizational structure of the convention, which includes the formation of committees to review the current constitution. The aim is to create a streamlined constitution that focuses on fundamental laws, transitioning detailed provisions into statutory law to enhance legislative flexibility. The proposed new constitution will be submitted to voters for approval during the 2026 general congressional election.

Additionally, the bill ensures that delegates and staff are subject to the Code of Governmental Ethics and the Louisiana Criminal Code, and it mandates that any provisions of the current constitution not included in the new document will remain as statutes, amendable only by a two-thirds legislative vote. The convention will not be classified as a budget unit of the state, exempting it from certain financial regulations while still being subject to audit. The proposed constitution will take effect at midnight on December 31, 2026, if ratified by voters, and the bill includes a detailed timetable for the qualification and election of delegates, as well as key deadlines for the convention's activities.