Governor Bel Edwards, Public domain, 2016Posted on 06/28/2021 4:31:45 AM PDT by marktwain
Governor Bel Edwards, Public domain, 2016
The Louisiana Legislature passed SB118, Constitutional Carry, on 1 June, 2021. The Senate passed the bill 27 to 9. The House passed the bill 73 to 28. The bill was enrolled, signed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on 3 June, and sent to Governor Edwards by the Secretary of the Senate on 4 June, 2021.
Under the Louisiana Constitution, if the Legislature is not in session ten days after the bill is delivered to the governor, the governor has 20 days to veto the bill after delivery.
The bill was delivered to the governor after 4 June, 2021. The Louisiana Legislature adjourned on 10 June, 2021. Governor Edwards has until the 24th of June to sign SB118, veto the bill, or allow it to become law.
If Constitutional Carry, or any other bill is vetoed (almost certain in Louisiana this year), there will be a veto session starting on 20 July, 2021. The veto session could be stopped if a majority in either the House or the Senate agree, in writing, not to have a veto session.
This seems unlikely with strong majorities of Republicans in both the House and the Senate, and a Democrat Governor. Louisiana veto procedure is spelled out in the Louisiana Constitution, Article III, Section 18:
(C) Veto Session.
This part of the Louisiana Constitution was amended on 7 October, 1989. Since then there have been two successful veto overrides, one in 1991, another in 1993, both during the regular session. If a veto session is held in 2021, which seems likely, it will be the first veto session under this Constitutional provision.
Two thirds votes in both the House and the Senate are needed to override a veto. A veto session can only last five days.
We will know if Governor Edwards chooses to veto bills by the 25th of June. We will know if there will be a veto session of the legislature by 15 July, 2021.
There are 105 members of the Louisiana Legislature. Two thirds, or 70 votes would be needed to override a veto.
66 Republicans, 1 independent (Adams), and 6 Democrats voted for SB 118 in the House. One Republican voted against the bill, Representative Joseph Stagni District 92.
One Republican, Hilferty, was absent. The six Democrats who voted for Constitutional Carry were:
There are 68 Republican representatives, 2 independents, and 35 Democrats.
If all Republicans vote for a veto overide, they will need two more votes.
It could be close.
In the Senate, there are 27 Republicans and 12 Democrats. 26 votes are two thirds. The Republicans in the Senate have sufficient votes to override a veto without Democrat help.
By the Constitution of Louisiana, we will know what the outcome is by 25 July, 2021.
Governors have ways to change votes to prevent an override of a veto. In Wisconsin, in 2004, a Democrat legislator, Gary Sherman, changed his long time support for a Concealed Carry bill to prevent a veto override by one vote.
Sherman was appointed a judge to the Wisconsin Court of appeals in 2010, by Governor Doyle.
Louisiana Governor Edwards is term-limited. His term ends on January 8th, 2024. There is plenty of time for Governor Edwards to appoint a few members to boards and commissions. The Louisiana Governor does not appoint judges, which are elected.
©2021 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
Gun Watch
The next step is whether one of the houses of the legislature will decide not to have a veto session.
The last time a Democrat touched a copy of the Constitution, it spontaneously combusted.
The Constitution or the rat?
Well it damn sure ain’t the rats or we’d be having BBQ’s all across the nation.
Gov. Edwards also chose to veto the bill that prohibits trannies from competing in women’s sports in La. He is a Democrat. This should ensure that there will be a veto session. The true conservatives in the La. Legislature should now have an opportunity to override both bills—transgender sports and concealed carry. My senator and representative are both on the right side, and intend to override the veto.
If you live in La., you need to implore your legislators to vote to override both of the governor’s vetoes. Please do not leave it to chance. MAKE YOUR DESIRE KNOWN to THEM.
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