TEST
Before a bill is introduced in Congress, it starts out as an idea. Anyone can come up with the concept of bill, including you. However, the bill can only be ‘introduced’ by a member of Congress (House Represenative or Senator) who can then correspond with fellow members of their chamber to co-sponsor bills with them, if they choose. Our state constitution requires three readings of bills on separate days.
How can I watch committee meetings?
Legislative committee hearings are all open to the public.
You can also submit witness cards (see "Basic Legislative Lingo" below for more) to let your senator or representative know whether you favor or oppose a bill. You can also indicate on your card whether you would like to testify in front of the committee about your position.
Watch committee meetings online here
View upcoming committee meeting schedules here - This is where you can find which “room” to tune into when watching specific committee meetings online.
Basic Legislative Lingo
Act: A bill that has been approved by both chambers, signed by the Governor, and given an act number by the Secretary of State.
Amendment: A change made to the language of a bill by adding or deleting passages.
Adjournment: End of a session for the day, with the hour and the day of the next meeting set.
Adjournment Sine Die: Latin for “without a day,” meaning that session is being adjourned for the final day.
Bill: A legislative instrument written by a legislator to create a new law or repeal/reform a current law.
Caucus: An informal group of legislators such as the Black Caucus or the Women’s Caucus. which are sometimes referred to as delegations. Here is a list of caucuses and delegations in Louisiana.
Chamber: The rooms where the House and Senate meet.
Committee: Groups composed of lawmakers that must review all proposed legislation in its assigned policy area.
The rules of the House and Senate specify the subject areas covered by each committee. Committees meet at regularly scheduled times during the session and at other times during or outside of the session at the discretion of the committee chair.
Each committee may create subcommittees to consider particular bills and make recommendations to the full committee. Committees typically hold hearings, hear testimony from interested parties, debate the merits of proposed legislation, and vote whether or not to allow the bill to proceed to another committee or to the full floor in their chamber.
In Louisiana, there are 16 committees in the Houseand 17 committees in the Senate.
Committee Report: A report of any action taken on the bills and resolutions heard at the committee meeting, typically read prior to the adjournment of the session that day.
Conference Committee: A committee composed of three members from each chamber to resolve differences in a bill when the chamber of origin refuses to concur in one or more amendments adopted by the opposite chamber. Once the committee comes to an agreement, both chambers must vote on the conference report.
Congress: The governing legislature comprised of two chambers: the Senate and House of Representatives.
Constituent: A person who live in a representative’s district.
Witness Cards: A mechanism for the public to express (or request the opportunity to provide testimony) in support or opposition to a proposed bill or resolution. These cards are available in the committee room and overflow rooms on the witness tables where you can fill them out and hand them to a designated staff member or sergeant-at-arms.
Red Cards: A witness card used to oppose a bill or resolution.
Green Cards: A witness card used to support a bill or resolution.
The length of committee meetings and number of people allowed in the room are limited, so we advise larger groups to appoint someone to speak on behalf of your group/organization.
Visit the official Louisiana Legislature Glossary page for more!
Book an Appointment
Or call 1-800-230-7526