Bill to Pull Back Edwards’ Power

Now that the Louisiana Legislature has convened for its self-called Special Session, one of the bills from a local lawmaker set to be considered would limit the power of the governor to extend emergency declarations without legislative approval. HB4, by Rep. Mark Wright of Covington would revise Chapter 29 of Louisiana’s Revised Statutes. Among the changes: No governor could extend an emergency order for more than 30 days without legislative approval, nor could he or she extend a public health emergency order beyond 30 days without a majority approval of both houses of the Legislature. Wright said our experience with the Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented and few people could have anticipated a governor issuing such consequential emergency orders over a period of six months. The mechanisms for emergency orders need more balance and include the input of the Louisiana Legislature.