A House committee approves legislation that would allow either chamber of the Legislature to fully terminate or modify an emergency declaration by the Governor on a majority vote.
Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman said the legislation is not an attack on Governor Edwards’ current powers but sets the stage for future pandemic responses.
“It is not a question of if, but when the next pandemic is going to happen. Maybe it won’t happen in my lifetime but it is going to happen again and what we can only do is learn from the experiences we have had,” said Frieman
The legislation would take effect in 2024.
Opponents took issue with the fact that only one chamber would have these sweeping powers during an emergency. Frieman said requiring both chambers would make the bill pointless.
“To say that you have to get both? It’s impossible you might as well say that you are never going to do anything,” said Frieman.
Frieman said under his bill lawmakers could edit existing emergency declarations, meaning federal Stafford Act funds would not be impacted.
New Orleans Representative Candace Newell (New-elle) opposed the bill. She said the Legislature is not equipped to respond to disasters in the same way the Governor is.
“The Governor gets more information than we get and he gets it at a much faster pace than we get it because we are in our districts, and he is here,” said Newell.
The final vote was 7-5.
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