The Louisiana State Legislature is taking precautionary steps to address the threat of COVID-19, at the state capitol during its ongoing 2020 Regular Legislative Session. Senate President Page Cortez and Speaker Clay Schexnayder are implementing protocols to protect the wellbeing of all legislators, staff, and visitors, and have agreed on a joint legislative plan to pass the necessary budget-related bills as a contingency package in the event risk of the virus grows. President Cortez said they are encouraging all legislators, staff, and members of the public to remain calm and not panic, but also be prepared by following CDC guidelines. The legislature is required by the state constitution to pass a balanced budget and make appropriations by the end of each fiscal year, meaning that a budget and correlating measures are typically adopted by the end of the regular legislative session, which ends this year on June 1. To ensure that a budget can be passed in the event of a more serious outbreak, the legislative plan agreed to by the President and Speaker involves an expedited process to allow for quick action on constitutionally mandated instruments if necessary. The legislature plans to file the contingency package next week but remains on schedule to debate the budget and all other bills as they typically have in previous years.
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