Jun 08, 2012
Governor Jindal Signs Bills

BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced he has signed bills passed by the Legislature into law, bringing the total number of bills signed for the 2012 Regular Legislative Session to 690 bills.  The Governor also vetoed HB 38, HB 865, HB 988, HB 1104, HB 1106, SB 577, SB 629, and SB 677.  The veto letters are attached below.

Governor Jindal signed the following bills into law:

HOUSE

HB 47 by Rep. Mack relates to certain DWI offenses.

HB 106 by Rep. Dove relates to the position of police chief in the City of Houma.

HB 126 by Rep. Dixon relates to the members of the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council.

HB 134 by Rep. Fannin relates to the expenses of state government.

HB 141 by Rep. St. Germain relates to financial disclosure statements.

HB 145 by Rep. W. Bishop creates the North Kenilworth Improvement and Security District in Orleans Parish.

HB 168 by Rep. Thierry relates to the St. Landry Parish Excellence Fund and the St. Landry Parish Historical Development Fund.

HB 209 by Rep. Foil relates to the operating hours that polling stations are required to be open on election days.

HB 325 by Rep. Arnold relates to the indigent defender fund.

HB 370 by Rep. Hoffmann relates to controlled dangerous substances.

HB 377 by Rep. Robideaux relates to partnerships filing composite returns.

HB 455 by Rep. Abramson relates to responsibilities and obligations of certain banks.

HB 478 by Rep. Gisclair relates to seafood production research.

HB 480 by Rep. Barrow creates the Glen Oaks Crime Prevention and Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish.

HB 509 by Rep. Lorusso relates to the withdrawal from an election of a candidate for public office.

HB 511 by Rep. Leger relates to archeological dig sites.

HB 631 by Rep. Lorusso relates to certain students from military families.

HB 656 by Rep. Dove relates to the coastal zone boundary.

HB 657 by Rep. Leger relates to the qualifications of the state archaeologist.

HB 698 by Rep. Anders relates to the Crisis Leave Pool of the State Civil Service Commission and the State Police Commission.

HB 705 by Rep. Hoffman relates to the reporting of certain electronic communication between an employee at a public elementary or secondary school and a student enrolled at that school.

HB 784 by Rep. Richard relates to certain documents, electronic storage devices, and the contents of electronic storage devices used by court reporters.

HB 788 by Rep. St. Germain relates to the annexation of property by municipalities.

HB 801 by Rep. Montoucet relates to employees of municipal fire and police civil services.

HB 818 by Rep. St. Germain creates the La. Fire and Emergency Training Commission.

HB 822 by Rep. Fannin relates to state funds.

HB 831 by Rep. Hazel relates to bidding on public projects.

HB 861 by Rep. Simon relates to child care facilities and child-placing agencies.

HB 866 by Rep. Abramson relates to informed consent for medical treatment.

HB 896 by Rep. Dove relates to responsibilities of the Department of Transportation and Development and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

HB 906 by Rep. Gaines relates to the membership of the zoning board of adjustment in certain parishes.

HB 912 by Rep. N. Landry relates to procedures for intrafamily adoptions.

HB 916 by Rep. St. Germain relates to the state entities responsible for coastal protection and restoration.

HB 923 by Rep. Ponti relates to the Louisiana Massage Therapists and Massage Establishment Act.

HB 924 by Rep. Wesley Bishop creates the Downman Road Economic Development District in Orleans Parish.

HB 1058 by Rep. Fannin relates to the Louisiana Judiciary Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013.

HB 1059 by Rep. Fannin relates to supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011-2012.

HB 1083 by Rep. Pylant relates to workers' compensation benefits. 

HB 1097 by Rep. Champagne relates to the members of Vermilion Parish Fire Protection District No. 7.

HB 1177 by Rep. Harrison relates to training of insurance producers selling annuity products.

HB 1208 by Rep. Thompson relates to compliance with court ordered child support.

SENATE

SB 4 by Sen. Morrell criminalizes the failure to report the sexual abuse of a child.  The Governor previously signed HB 577 by Rep. Lopinto, which is duplicate legislation and part of the Governor's 2012 legislative package.

SB 40 by Sen. Morrish re-creates the insurance fraud investigation unit in the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

SB 59 by Sen. Morrell relates to the solicitation of minors to distribute certain controlled dangerous substances.

SB 62 by Sen. Appel re-creates the Department of Education.

SB 70 by Sen. Murray relates to small succession procedures and effects.

SB 71 by Sen. Martiny relates to the sheriff of Jefferson Parish.

SB 86 by Sen. Buffington relates to the duties of healthcare providers in dealing with communicable diseases.

SB 90 by Sen. Riser relates to legitimizing of a child who has reached the age of majority.

SB 103 by Sen. Nevers relates to the number of hours required to earn a baccalaureate degree.

SB 104 by Sen. Nevers relates to postsecondary education articulation and transfer requirements.

SB 119 by Sen. Morrell relates to the duties of a school nurse.

SB 124 by Sen. Johns relates to disciplinary proceedings by professional or occupational boards and commissions.

SB 139 by Sen. Long relates to the definition of a consumer lease.

SB 153 by Sen. Broome relates to the relocation of the residence of a child.

SB 155 by Sen. Lafluer relates to certain LA 4 requirements.

SB 156 by Sen. Murray relates to children committed to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

SB 183 by Sen. Appel relates to certain height limits on amateur radio antennas.

SB 187 by Sen. Dorsey-Colomb relates to municipal and abandoned cemeteries.

SB 204 by Sen. Morrish relates to judicial proceedings.

SB 205 by Sen. Morrish relates to pure captive insurers.

SB 213 by Sen. Brown relates to the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

SB 215 by Sen. Mills relates to fraud and abuse detection and prevention activities related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

SB 216 by Sen. Mills relates to the Mental Health Counselors Licensing Act.

SB 228 by Sen. Morrish relates to the outdoor burning of certain agricultural materials.

SB 243 by Sen. Martiny creates the crime of failure to report certain felonies.

SB 248 by Sen. Adley relates to the nomination process for the Board of Ethics.

SB 253 by Sen. Walsworth relates to legal counsel for the Office of the Inspector General.

SB 257 by Sen. Amedee relates to the leasing of certain lands for hydrokinetic energy development.

SB 281 by Sen. Johns relates to the Department of Insurance.

SB 309 by Sen. Donahue removes outdated school improvement plan requirements for public elementary and secondary education.

SB 312 by Sen. Cortez relates to the position of Assistant Police Chief for the towns of Broussard, Carencro, Scott and Youngsville.

SB 327 by Sen. Broome relates to certain immunizations for inpatients 65 years of age or older.

SB 338 by Sen. Appel relates to certain public works contracts.

SB 345 by Sen. Morrish relates to dental service contractors.

SB 361 by Sen. Morrell relates to the Orleans Communication District.

SB 371 by Sen. Heitmeier relates to outpatient behavioral health services for Medicaid recipients under the age of 21.

SB 378 by Sen. Mills relates to the administration of certain vaccines.

SB 386 by Sen. Ward relates to medical providers' adoption and utilization of electronic billing rules and regulations.

SB 389 by Sen. Martiny relates to the regulation of sweepstakes promotions and certain requirements and procedures.

SB 395 by Sen. White creates the Carmel Acres Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement District in East Baton Rouge Parish.

SB 404 by Sen. Martiny relates to contracts by public entities.

SB 405 by Sen. Buffington creates the position of chief of administration of fire departments.

SB 412 by Sen. Claitor relates to property leases in areas designated as a business incubator or research park.

SB 458 by Sen. LaFleur relates to START education savings accounts.

SB 461 by Sen. Walsworth relates to class size.

SB 467 by Sen. Broome relates to grounds for initiating proceedings for a family in need of services.

SB 483 by Sen. Perry relates to Palmetto Island State Park.

SB 506 by Sen. Claitor relates to civil proceedings.

SB 507 by Sen. Morrell relates to student athletes.

SB 509 by Sen. Claitor relates to the service of citations by certified mail in justice of the peace courts.

SB 521 by Sen. Johns relates to employee vacation and sick leave days.

SB 526 by Sen. Erdey relates to children of state investigators killed in the performance of duty.

SB 536 by Sen. Peterson relates to probation and parole supervision fees for juvenile offenders.

SB 553 by Sen. Claitor relates to sobriety court programs.

SB 589 by Sen. LaFleur relates to the Evangeline-Ville Platte Recreation District.

SB 594 by Sen. Brown allows public school boards to provide transportation services for students attending technical and vocational colleges.

SB 600 by Sen. Perry relates to the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission.

SB 601 by Sen. Buffington relates to motor vehicle inspections.

SB 604 by Sen. G. Smith relates to unemployment insurance benefits.

SB 628 by Sen. Buffington relates to adult residential care providers.

SB 633 by Sen. Johns relates to the unauthorized use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and penalties.

SB 637 by Sen. Murray relates to the Polysomnographic Practice Act.

SB 639 by Sen. Martiny relates to the crime of first degree murder.

SB 644 by Sen. Donahue relates to self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements.

SB 645 by Sen. Thompson creates the La. Delta Community Technical College by merging certain La. Technical College campuses with the La. Delta Community College.

SB 680 by Sen. Erdey relates to the appointment of a secretary to the Louisiana Tax Commission.

SB 683 by Sen. G. Smith relates to the St. Charles Parish Council's governing authority.

SB 693 by Sen. Morrell relates to motor carrier transportation contracts and construction contracts.

SB 714 by Sen. Broome relates to the Louisiana Housing Corporation Act.

SB 723 by Sen. Appel creates an office of international commerce within Louisiana Economic Development.

SB 725 by Sen. Gallot relates to a parish-wide economic and industrial development district in Grant Parish.

SB 729 by Sen. Claitor relates to contracts with plans providing Medicaid services to Medicaid recipients.

SB 738 by Sen. Morrell relates to a claim of self-defense.

SB 745 by Sen. Nevers relates to the consolidation of two or more school systems.

SB 752 by Sen. Peterson relates to abandoned properties.

VETO LETTERS

HB38

June 8, 2012

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: House Bill No. 38 by Representative Jones

Dear Mr. Speer:

House Bill No. 38 by Representative Jones forgives a debt owed to a retirement system by a retiree who received retirement benefits while rehired. The bill sets a dangerous precedent for legislation to grant special benefits to select individuals.

Louisiana’s public pension systems impose a large burden on Louisiana taxpayers. We cannot continue to grant additional benefits as we struggle to get our retirement debt and costs under control. The boards of both the Municipal Employees Retirement System and Louisiana State Employees Retirement System have requested a veto.

For this reason, I have vetoed House Bill No. 38 and hereby return it to the House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

HB 865

June 8, 2012

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: House Bill No. 865 by Representative Barrow 

Dear Mr. Speer:

House Bill No. 865 by Representative Barrow gives the newly constituted Capital Area Transit System (CATS) Board the authority to raise fees by more than twenty-five percent in any twelve-month period without the prior authorization of the appropriate parish or city governing authority.

This bill also weakens oversight of the CATS System provided by East Baton Rouge Parish.

For these reasons, I have vetoed House Bill No. 865 and hereby return it to the House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

HB 988

June 8, 2012

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: House Bill No. 988 by Representative Jones

Dear Mr. Speer:

House Bill No. 988 by Representative Jones retroactively increases benefits for certain adult probation and parole officers within Louisiana State Employees' Retirement
System (LASERS).

The beneficiaries of the changes in House Bill No. 988 are not asked to pay more to support these increased costs, even though adult probation and parole officers who have received similar increases in benefits were required to fund the upgrade. LASERS has asked for a veto of the bill.

Louisiana’s public pension systems impose a large burden on Louisiana taxpayers. We cannot continue to raise state retirement benefits at the expense of other critical areas like higher education and healthcare.

I vetoed House Bill No. 478 of the 2011 Regular Session, which included similar provisions.

For this reason, I have vetoed House Bill No. 988 and hereby return it to the House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

HB 1104

June 8, 2012

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: House Bill No. 1104 by Representative Katrina Jackson

Dear Mr. Speer:

House Bill No. 1104 creates duplicative and burdensome reporting requirements for agencies administering tax incentives.

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development issues regular reports and analyses on its incentive programs. The Louisiana Department of Revenue creates a comprehensive Tax Exemption Budget which covers all tax incentives administered by state agencies every year. Furthermore, Act 365 of 2011 provides for a review of the Tax Exemption Budget by the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs every odd-numbered year.

For this reason, I have vetoed House Bill No. 1104 and hereby return it to the House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal                                                                        

Governor

HB 1106

June 8, 2012

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: House Bill No. 1106 by Representative Jackson

Dear Mr. Speer:

K-12 education is fully funded at a level of $3.41 billion through the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) in Fiscal Year 2013. House Bill No. 1106 provides for an additional $10 million outside of the MFP, but does not have a corresponding appropriation in House Bill No. 1.

Therefore, I have vetoed House Bill. No 1106 and hereby return it to the House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

SB 577

June 8, 2012

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: Senate Bill No. 577 by Senator Peterson

Dear Mr. Speer:

Senate Bill No. 577 by Senator Peterson has a cost of at least $300,000 from the budget of the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC).

Funding for SB 577 was not appropriated by the Louisiana Legislature. Therefore, this legislation would force LWC to take funds away from critical services for the disabled to fund the taskforce because the agency’s only available source of State funding is for the Louisiana Rehabilitative Services (LRS) program.

For this reason only, I have vetoed Senate Bill No. 577 and have returned it to the Senate.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

SB 629

June 8, 2012

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: Senate Bill No. 629 by Senator Johns

Dear Mr. Speer:

Senate Bill No. 629 by Senator Johns requires duplicative and unnecessary reporting requirements for programs within the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). DHH currently produces annual reports that provide extensive information on programs operating within the department.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill No. 629 and have returned it to the Senate.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

SB 677

June 8, 2012

The Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: Senate Bill No. 677 by Senator Morrell

Dear Mr. Speer:

Senator Morrell has requested a veto of Senate Bill No. 677 related to the New Orleans Regional Business Park, in order to reconfigure the bill for reintroduction next session.

For this reason, I have vetoed Senate Bill No. 677 and have returned it to the Senate.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

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