Article XIV, Louisiana Constitution

Louisiana Constitution

Preamble
Articles
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14

## Contents

* 1 Part I
* 1.1 Section 1
* 1.2 Section 2
* 1.3 Section 3
* 1.4 Section 4
* 1.5 Section 5
* 1.6 Section 6
* 1.7 Section 7
* 1.8 Section 8
* 1.9 Section 9
* 1.10 Section 10
* 1.11 Section 11
* 1.12 Section 12
* 1.13 Section 13
* 2 Part II
* 2.1 Section 14
* 2.2 Section 15
* 2.3 Section 16
* 2.4 Section 17
* 2.5 Section 18
* 2.6 Section 19
* 2.7 Section 20
* 3 Part III
* 3.1 Section 21
* 3.2 Section 22
* 3.3 Section 23
* 3.4 Section 24
* 3.5 Section 25
* 3.6 Section 26
* 3.7 Section 27
* 3.8 Section 28
* 3.9 Section 29
* 3.10 Section 30
* 3.11 Section 31
* 3.12 Section 32
* 3.13 Section 33
* 3.14 Section 34
* 3.15 Section 35
* 3.16 Section 36
* 3.17 Section 37
* 4 See also
* 5 External links
* 6 Additional reading
* 7 Footnotes

Article XIV of the Louisiana Constitution is entitled Transitional Provisions. It is divided into three parts and further subdivided into 37 sections.

## Part I[edit]

### Section 1[edit]

| Text of Section 1:

Board of Regents

On the effective date of this constitution, each member of the Louisiana Coordinating Council for Higher Education appointed by the governor whose term has not expired shall become a member of the Board of Regents until his respective term expires. The governor shall appoint additional members required to complete the membership of the board in accordance with and to effectuate Article VIII, Section 5.[1]

### Section 2[edit]

| Text of Section2:

Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

On the effective date of this constitution, each member of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College whose term has not expired shall become a member of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College until his term expires. The governor shall appoint additional members required in accordance with and to effectuate Article VIII, Section 7.[1]

### Section 3[edit]

| Text of Section 3:

Board of Supervisors of Southern University

At the next session of the legislature following the effective date of this constitution, the governor shall submit to the Senate for its consent the names of his appointees to the Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in accordance with and to effectuate Article VIII, Section 7.[1]

### Section 4[edit]

| Text of Section 4:

State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities

On the effective date of this constitution, each member of the State Board of Education whose term has not expired may elect to become a member of either the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities. He shall serve until the expiration of the term for which he was elected. The legislature shall provide by law the procedures by which this right shall be exercised, the secretary of state notified of those elections which must be held, and the governor notified of the appointments which must be made to complete the membership of the boards. The elections and appointments shall be made in accordance with and to effectuate Article VIII, Sections 3 and 6.[1]

### Section 5[edit]

| Text of Section 5:

Boards; New Appointments

In making new appointments to a board created by Sections 5, 6, or 7 of Article VIII, the governor shall consider appropriate representation on the board by alumni of the institutions under the control of the board.[1]

### Section 6[edit]

| Text of Section 6:

Mandatory Reorganization of State Government

The legislature shall allocate, within not more than twenty departments, the functions, powers, duties, and responsibilities of all departments, offices, agencies, and other instrumentalities within the executive branch, except those allocated by this constitution. The allocation, which shall not be subject to veto by the governor, shall become operative not later than December 31, 1977.[1]

### Section 7[edit]

| Text of Section 7:

Legislative Sessions

The legislature shall provide, by rule or otherwise, for a recess, during the 1975 and 1976 regular annual sessions, which shall be for at least eight calendar days immediately after the first fifteen calendar days of the session.[1]

### Section 8[edit]

| Text of Section 8:

Civil Service Commission; State; Cities

(A) State Commission. Each person who, on the effective date of this constitution, is a member of the State Civil Service Commission shall continue in such position for the remainder of the term to which he was appointed. Within thirty days after the effective date of this constitution, the president of Xavier University of Louisiana shall submit three names to the governor for appointment to the commission as provided in Article X, Section 3. Within ninety days after the effective date of this constitution, one member of the commission shall be elected by the classified employees of the state from their number as provided by law. The term of these appointees shall be six years. Within thirty days after the expiration of the term of the present member nominated by the president of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, the president of Dillard University shall submit three names to the governor for appointment to the commission as provided in Article X, Section 3. The term of this appointee shall be six years.

(B) City Commission. Each person who, on the effective date of this constitution, is a member of the New Orleans City Civil Service Commission shall continue in such position for the remainder of the term to which he was appointed. Within thirty days after the effective date of this constitution, the presidents of St. Mary's Dominican College and Xavier University of Louisiana each shall submit three names to the governing body of the city for appointment to the commission as provided in Article X, Section 4. Within thirty days after the expiration of the term of the present member nominated by the governing body of the city, the president of Dillard University shall submit three names to the governing body of the city for appointment to the New Orleans City Civil Service Commission as provided in Article X, Section 4. The term of these appointees shall be six years.[1]

### Section 9[edit]

| Text of Section 9:

Civil Service Officers; Employees; State; Cities

Upon the effective date of this constitution, all officers and employees of the state and of the cities covered hereunder who have status in the classified service shall retain said status in the position, class, and rank that they have on such date and shall thereafter be subject to and governed by the provisions of this constitution and the rules and regulations adopted under the authority hereof.[1]

### Section 10[edit]

| Text of Section 10:

Offshore Mineral Revenues; Use of Funds

Funds derived from offshore mineral leases and held in escrow under agreement between the state and the United States pending settlement of the dispute between the parties shall be deposited in the state treasury when received. Upon such settlement, these funds and the interest from their investment, except the portion otherwise allocated or dedicated by this constitution, shall be used by the state treasurer to purchase, retire, or pay in advance of maturity the existing bonded indebtedness of the state or shall be invested for that purpose. If any of these funds cannot be so expended within one year, the legislature may appropriate annually, for capital improvements or for the purchase of land, ten percent of the remaining funds, not to exceed ten million dollars in one year.[1]

### Section 11[edit]

| Text of Section 11:

Prescription; Tidelands Taxes

No state, district, parish, or other tax, license, fee, or assessment of any kind, and interest charges and penalties attaching thereto, which are imposed, due, or collectible on any property, minerals or the severance thereof, or due or payable by any person, firm, or corporation on any business operation or activity within the tidelands area in dispute between the state and the United States and within the state's historic gulfward boundary three leagues from coast, as established and defined by the Act of Congress of April 8, 1812, which admitted this state into the Union, and as redefined in Louisiana Act No. 33 of 1954, shall prescribe until three years after the thirty-first day of December in the year in which the controversy existing between the United States and this state over the state gulfward boundary is finally resolved and settled in accordance with law. However, no interest charge or penalty shall be assessed or collected on any such tax, license, fee, or assessment if it is paid within one year after the thirty-first day of December in the year in which the controversy is finally resolved and settled.[1]

1LSA-R.S. 49:1.

### Section 12[edit]

| Text of Section 12:

Forfeitures Prior to 1880

Section 18 and Section 20 of Article VII shall become effective January 1 of the year following the end of three years after the effective date of this constitution. Until that date, the provisions of the Constitution of 1921 governing matters covered by those Sections shall continue to apply, notwithstanding any contrary expiration date stated in any provision thereof concerning the veterans' homestead exemption.[1]

### Section 13[edit]

| Text of Section 13:

Effective Date of Property Tax Provisions

Section 18 and Section 20 of Article VII shall become effective January 1 of the year following the end of three years after the effective date of this constitution. Until that date, the provisions of the Constitution of 1921 governing matters covered by those Sections shall continue to apply, notwithstanding any contrary expiration date stated in any provision thereof concerning the veterans' homestead exemption.[1]

## Part II[edit]

### Section 14[edit]

| Text of Section 14:

Limitation on Transitional Provisions

Nothing in this Part shall be construed or applied in such a manner as to supersede or invalidate, or limit or change the meaning of any provision of the foregoing Articles of this constitution, but only to provide for an orderly transition from the Constitution of 1921.[1]

### Section 15[edit]

| Text of Section 15:

Existing Officials

A person holding an office by election shall continue to exercise his powers and duties until his office is abolished, his successor takes office or the office is vacated, as provided by law. A person holding an office by appointment shall continue to exercise his powers and duties until his office is abolished, his term ends, or he is removed or replaced under the provisions of this constitution or by law. Each public body shall continue to exercise its powers and duties until changed as provided by this constitution or by law.[1]

### Section 16[edit]

| Text of Section 16:

Provisions of 1921 Constitution Made Statutory

(A) Provisions Continued as Statutes. Subject to change by law or as otherwise provided in this constitution, and except as any of them conflicts with this constitution, the following provisions of the Constitution of 1921 are continued as statutes, but restricted to the same effect as on the effective date of this constitution:

1\. Article IV, Sections 2(c), 12-b, and 12-c.

2\. Article V, Sections 2, 7, 18, 20, and 21.

3\. Article VI, Sections 1, 1(A-1), 11.1, 19, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 22(l), 23 except any dedications contained therein, 23.1, 26, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36.1, and 39.

4\. Article VI-A, Sections 1 through 14, except any dedications therein contained.

5\. Article VII, Sections 7, 8, 9, 12.1, 13, 20, 21, 28, 31, 31.1, 31.2, 33, 46 through 51, 51(a), 52, 53, 55, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 89 through 92, and 94 through 97.

6\. Article IX, Section 4.

7\. Article X, Sections 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10A, 15, 16, and 23; except any dedications contained therein.

8\. Article X-A, Sections 3 and 4.

9\. Article XII, Sections 18, 19 through 22, 25, and 26.

10\. Article XIV, Sections 3(b), 3(d) (first), 6, 10, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23, 23.1 through 23.43, 24, 24.2 through 24.23, 25, 25.1, 26 through 28, 30, 30.1, 30.3, 30.4, 30.5, 31, 31.3, 31.6, 31.7, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.1, 38, 38, 38.1, 39, 39.1, 43, 44, 44.1, 45, 47, and 48.

11\. Article XV, Sections 1, 3, and 4.

12\. Article XVI, Sections 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 8(a).

13\. Article XVII, Sections 3 and 4.

14\. Article XVIII, Sections 4, 8, and 13.

15\. Article XIX, Sections 6, 19, 19(a), 20, and 27.

(B) Arrangement. The provisions made statutory in this Article shall be arranged in proper statutory form and recommendations made for additional laws and modifications as provided in R.S. 24:201 through 256, or as otherwise provided by law.[1]

### Section 17[edit]

| Text of Section 17:

Provisions of Constitution of 1921 Repealed

Except to the extent provided in this Article and except as retained in Articles I through XIII of this constitution, the provisions of the Constitution of 1921 are repealed.[1]

### Section 18[edit]

| Text of Section 18:

Existing Laws

(A) Retention. Laws in force on the effective date of this constitution, which were constitutional when enacted and are not in conflict with this constitution, shall remain in effect until altered or repealed or until they expire by their own limitation.

(B) Expiration of Conflicting Law. Laws which are in conflict with this constitution shall cease upon its effective date.[1]

### Section 19[edit]

| Text of Section 19:

Ports; Transition to Statutes

All provisions of Article VI, Sections 16, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6, 17, 29, 29.1, 29.2, 29.3, 29.4, 33.1, 34 and Article XIV, Section 30.2 of the Constitution of 1921 shall become statutes subject to amendment or repeal only as provided in Article VI, Section 43 of this constitution.[1]

### Section 20[edit]

| Text of Section 20:

Public Service Commission

At its next extraordinary or regular session, the legislature shall divide the state into five single-member districts as required by [Article IV, Louisiana Constitution|Article IV]], Section 21(A) and shall provide for a special election at which the two additional members of the commission shall be elected, the initial term to be served by each, and other matters necessary to effectuate said Section 21(A).[1]

## Part III[edit]

### Section 21[edit]

| Text of Section 21:

References to 1921 Constitution

Whenever reference is made in this constitution to the Constitution of 1921, it shall mean the Louisiana Constitution of 1921, as amended.[1]

### Section 22[edit]

| Text of Section 22:

Effect of Titles

No title or sub-title, heading or sub-heading, marginal note, index, or table printed in or with this constitution shall be considered or construed to be a part of this constitution, but to be inserted only for convenience in reference.[1]

### Section 23[edit]

| Text of Section 23:

Continuation of Actions and Rights

All writs, actions, suits, proceedings, civil or criminal liabilities, prosecutions, judgments, sentences, orders, decrees, appeals, rights or causes of action, contracts, obligations, claims, demands, titles, and rights existing on the effective date of this constitution shall continue unaffected. All sentences as punishment for crime shall be executed according to their terms.[1]

### Section 24[edit]

| Text of Section 24:

Protection of Existing Taxes

All taxes, penalties, fines, and forfeitures owing to the state or any political subdivision levied and collectible under the Constitution of 1921 and valid laws enacted thereunder shall inure to the entity entitled thereto.[1]

### Section 25[edit]

| Text of Section 25:

Impairment of Debt Obligations Prohibited

Nothing in this constitution shall be construed or applied in such a manner as to impair the obligation, validity, or security of any bonds or other debt obligations authorized under the Constitution of 1921.[1]

### Section 26[edit]

| Text of Section 26:

Constitution Not Retroactive

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this constitution, this constitution shall not be retroactive and shall not create any right or liability which did not exist under the Constitution of 1921 based upon actions or matters occurring prior to the effective date of this constitution.[1]

### Section 27[edit]

| Text of Section 27:

Legislative Provisions

(A) President of Senate. The lieutenant governor in office on the effective date of this constitution shall continue to serve as president of the Senate until his term expires in 1976.

(B) First Session. The provisions of Article III of this constitution shall become effective for the first session of the legislature to be held in 1975 and each session thereafter. However, in 1976, the legislature shall convene in regular session at twelve o'clock noon on the second Monday in May, at which time the members elected at the statewide election in 1976 shall take office; otherwise, the legislature shall conduct that session as provided in Article III of this constitution.

(C) Legislative Auditor. The legislative auditor shall continue to exercise the powers and perform the functions set forth in Article VI, Louisiana Constitution, Section 26(2)* of the Constitution of 1921 until otherwise provided by law.

(D) Legislative Reapportionment. The requirement for legislative reapportionment in Section 6 of Article III of this constitution shall apply to the reapportionment of the legislature following the decennial census of 1980, and thereafter.[1]

See, now, LSA-R.S. 24:511 et seq.

### Section 28[edit]

| Text of Section 28:

Judiciary Commission

The members of the judiciary commission in office on the effective date of this constitution shall serve until the expiration of their terms. Within thirty days after the effective date of this constitution, the additional two citizen members shall be selected as required by Article V, Section 25. A lawyer member, as thereby required, shall be selected to succeed the judge of a court of record other than a court of appeal whose term as a member of the commission first expires. Thereafter, when a vacancy occurs, the successor to the position shall be selected in accordance with Article V, Section 25.[1]

### Section 29[edit]

| Text of Section 29:

Repealed by Acts 1986, No. 1082, §2, approved September 27, 1986, effective on October 30, 1986.[1]

### Section 30[edit]

| Text of Section 30:

Commissioner of Elections

The commissioner of elections, as provided by Article IV, first elected under this constitution shall be elected to take office in 1976. The custodian of voting machines in office on the effective date of this constitution shall continue to exercise the functions of that office, without change, until the expiration of his term.[1]

### Section 31[edit]

| Text of Section 31:

Pardon Board

Until a pardon board is appointed under the terms of this constitution, the lieutenant governor, attorney general, and presiding judge of the sentencing court shall continue to serve as a board of pardons.[1]

### Section 32[edit]

| Text of Section 32:

Levee Districts; Compensation for Property

The provisions of Article XVI, Section 6 of the Constitution of 1921 shall be continued as a statute, subject to change by the legislature, and the amount of compensation therein required to be paid for property used or destroyed for levee or levee drainage purposes shall be paid as provided in Section 6 of Article XVI of the Constitution of 1921 until the legislature enacts a law to effectuate Article VI, Section 42 of this constitution.[1]

### Section 33[edit]

| Text of Section 33:

Suits Against the State; Effective Date

The provisions of Article XII, Section 10 waiving the immunity of the state, its agencies, or political subdivisions from suit and liability in contract or for injury to person or property only shall apply to a cause of action arising after the effective date of this constitution.[1]

### Section 34[edit]

| Text of Section 34:

Exemption from Seizure and Sale

The provisions of Article XI of the Constitution of 1921 shall be continued as a statute until the legislature enacts the law required by Article XII, Section 9 of this constitution, but the amount of the exemption shall be fifteen thousand dollars in value until otherwise fixed by law.[1]

### Section 35[edit]

| Text of Section 35:

Effective Date

This constitution shall become effective at twelve o'clock midnight on December 31, 1974. The secretary of state shall promulgate the results of the election by publication in the official state journal on the thirtieth day prior thereto; however, he shall announce the results of the election within thirty days after the date of the election at which the constitution is submitted to the people.[1]

### Section 36[edit]

| Text of Section 36:

Effect of Adoption

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of any law or the prior constitution, this constitution when approved by the electors of this state shall be the Constitution of the State of Louisiana upon the effective date as provided in Section 35 of this Article.[1]

### Section 37[edit]

| Text of Section 37:

Severability Clause

If any provision of this constitution is declared invalid for any reason, that provision shall not affect the validity of the entire constitution or any other provision thereof.[1]

## See also[edit]

* State constitution
* Constitutional article
* Constitutional amendment
* Constitutional revision
* Constitutional convention
* Amendments
* Initiated constitutional amendment
* Legislatively-referred constitutional amendment
* Publication requirements for proposed state constitutional amendments
* Rules about constitutional conventions in state constitutions
* State constitutional articles governing state legislatures

## External links[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* Louisiana State Senate, "Louisiana Constitution"
* Archives.org, "Louisiana 1812 Constitution"
* Archives.org, "Louisiana Purchase Treaty"
* Louisiana History.org, "Timelines"

## Additional reading[edit]

* Hargrave, W. Lee (1991). The Louisiana State Constitution: A Reference Guide, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press
* Louisiana (1812). Constitution or Form of Government of the State of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana: Jo. Bar. Baird

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 Louisiana State Senate, "Louisiana Constitution," accessed March 28, 2014

v • e

Louisiana Constitution

Louisiana Constitution • Preamble • Article I • Article II • Article III • Article IV • Article V • Article VI • Article VII • Article VIII • Article IX • Article X • Article XI •Article XII •Article XIII •Article XIV

v • e

State constitutions of the United States

Federal|

United States Constitution

* * *

State constitutions|

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

* * *

U.S. Territories|

American Samoa • Guam • Northern Mariana Islands • Puerto Rico • U.S. Virgin Islands

* * *

Changing constitutions|

Amending state constitutions • Constitutional amendment • Constitutional revision • Constitutional convention • Legislatively-referred constitutional amendment • Initiated constitutional amendment • Preambles to state constitutions • Publication requirements • Rules about constitutional conventions • Number of state constitutional amendments in each state

v • e

State of Louisiana
Baton Rouge (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy