SB 20 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: Constitutional amendment to change the number of general bills a legislator may file during regular sessions that occur during odd-numbered years and for legislating with regard to dedication or rededication of funds. (2/3-CA13sl(A))

SB 20 is a constitutional amendment proposing two key changes to Louisiana's legislative process. It would limit the number of general bills a legislator can file during regular sessions in odd-numbered years and clarify rules for redirecting state funds (e.g., changing how money is allocated for specific purposes). The bill removes current language about "taxes or fees" from these rules and specifies that any redirected funds must be explicitly dedicated. If approved by voters, this amendment would take effect after a 2026 election, altering how legislators draft bills and manage state funding.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 24, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB20 Original SB20 Engrossed · 3 edits · Apr 23, 2025
MINOR
The bill was amended to expand legislative power during odd-numbered years by allowing bills to dedicate or rededicate funds, replacing the previous restriction on repurposing or restricting tax proceeds. Additionally, the timeline for voter approval was updated to a 2026 election date, and the ballot question was revised to reflect the new funding authority.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from limiting odd-year legislation to tax/fee adjustments to explicitly include the dedication and rededication of funds.
SCOPE

Changed the allowed subject matter for odd-year bills from repurposing or restricting tax proceeds to dedicating or rededicating funds.

TIMELINE

Updated the proposed election date for voter approval from November 2025 to November 2026 or April 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Revised the ballot question text to ask if voters support allowing bills that dedicate or rededicate funds.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

324
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 37
Apr 23, 2025
D Democratic11
11 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican26
21 Yea 4 Nay 1
80% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Jun 3, 2025
Introduced
Read by title, amended, returned to the calendar.
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (13-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 21, 2025
Committee
Read by title, recommitted to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (10-3). To be recommitted to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 4 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bill Wheat
Bill Wheat
RRepublican
LA
37