Legal Corner: Can the governor call a special session without legislative approval?

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Legal Corner answers viewers’ civil legal questions.

QUESTION: It has been reported that Gov. Landry may call a special session to deal with the pharmacy benefit managers bills that died during the recent legislative session. It seems a lot of the legislators do not want a special session.

Can the governor call a special session on his own, or must he get the legislature’s approval? How long can a special session last? What kind of bills can be filed during a special session?

ANSWER: An extraordinary or special session is called to deal with matters that cannot normally be addressed during the regular session.

A special session may be called by one of two ways, either by the governor or the legislature, in which case a majority vote is needed from both the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Senate. A special session can only last for a limited amount of time, but no more than thirty (30) days. Bills proposed by state lawmakers must all pertain to the scope of the subject matter as outlined in the proclamation issuing the call for the session.

QUESTION: If I own a tanning salon, does the State of Louisiana require me to have a training certificate?

ANSWER: The Louisiana Department of Health requires an owner of a tanning salon to have a training certificate only if the owner is also an operator. If one is an off-site owner or will have employees acting as operators, then the owner is not required to attend classroom training. If a person will be an owner/operator, then they must have and post a training certificate.