House Bill No. 870, introduced by Representative McMakin, proposes a constitutional convention in Louisiana to draft a new state constitution, scheduled to convene on December 2, 2025. The convention will consist of 105 delegates, with 78 elected and 27 appointed from various entities, including the governor. The bill outlines qualifications for delegates, including residency and age requirements, and establishes rules for their conduct, such as restrictions on campaign contributions during the convention. The convention is tasked with completing its work by October 2, 2026, and the proposed constitution will be submitted to the electorate for approval during the general congressional election on December 12, 2026.

Additionally, the bill details the organizational structure and operational procedures of the convention, including the formation of an executive committee and specialized committees to review existing constitutional articles. It mandates public notice for meeting locations and specifies that the convention will not be classified as a budget unit of the state, thus exempting it from certain financial regulations while still being subject to audit by the legislative auditor. The legislation ensures that any provisions of the current constitution not included in the new draft will transition into statutory law, requiring a two-thirds legislative vote for amendments. If adopted, the new constitution will take effect at midnight on December 31, 2026.