Abstract: Authorizes the legislature, by a majority vote, to approve the renewal of emergency
declarations to continue beyond 30 days, requires the governor to submit a notice of intent
to renew to the legislature, provides the procedure for legislative approval of a renewal, and
provides for an effective date.
Present law provides that a disaster, emergency, or public health emergency shall be declared by
executive order or proclamation of the governor if the governor finds that a disaster or emergency
has occurred or the threat thereof is imminent.
Present law also provides that the state of disaster, emergency, or public health emergency shall
continue until the governor finds that the threat of danger has passed or the disaster or emergency
has been dealt with to the extent that the emergency conditions no longer exist and terminates the
state of disaster, emergency, or public health emergency by executive order or proclamation.
Present law provides that no state of disaster, emergency, or public health emergency may continue
for longer than 30 days unless renewed by the governor.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that no state of disaster, emergency, or public health
emergency shall continue beyond 30 days unless renewed by the governor and approved by a
majority vote of the legislature.
Proposed law requires the governor to give written notice of his intent to renew an emergency
declaration to the legislature.
Proposed law requires that the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate
Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs to meet jointly within 11 days of receiving the
governor's written intent to renew the emergency. The recommendation of the joint committee shall
be subject to approval by a vote of the full legislature.
Proposed law provides the procedure for legislative approval of an emergency declaration renewal.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 29:724(B)(1) and 768(B); Adds R.S. 29:724.1))


Statutes affected:
HB61 Original: 29:724(B)(1), 29:768(A)