Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed more legislation on Friday.  Here is the information from the Governor’s office including the veto letters.  

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed SB 262 and sent the following veto letter:

Honorable Glenn Koepp

Secretary of the Senate

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

Re: Senate Bill No. 262 by Senator Jackson

Veto Message

Dear Mr. Koepp:

Senate Bill No. 262 requires a report be included in the executive budget that identifies adjustments made as a result of “policy changes.” As a starting point, I have concern about the bill’s broad definition of “policy changes”:

(49) “Policy changes” means a narrative explanation of changes that result in increases or decreases in the level of funding, the level of services, or the scope of services expressed in policy terms as follows: legislative policy changes that result from changes in state or federal laws and related rules or regulations; judicial policy changes that result from court rulings and decrees; and administrative policy changes resulting from executive orders or prioritization of funding to meet specific goals and objectives of the executive branch. The narrative shall also include a citation of the relevant provision of law, judicial decision or order, or executive order or administrative action associated with each change in funding level.

Based on this definition, the Division of Administration would have to prepare and produce the required narrative reflecting every state and federal administrative, legislative, and/or judicial policy implication impacting each and every adjustment made to the budget. The full extent of this obligation is unclear.

Second, to a large extent, much of this information is already included which makes this bill redundant to the requirements of existing law. Under R.S. 39:36, the executive budget is required to include an array of summaries, comparative statements, reports, tables, estimates, projections and other performance information and indicators of both expenditures and revenues. In addition, representatives from the Division and other members of the executive branch work closely with the legislature and are available to testify concerning their understanding of the policy implications.

For these reasons, I am vetoing SB 262 and hereby return it to the Senate.

Very truly yours,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

Governor Bobby Jindal Vetoes HB 1385

BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed HB 1385 and sent the following veto letter:

Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Re: House Bill No. 1385 by Representative Jackson

Dear Mr. Speer:

House Bill No. 1385 mandates the creation of the Mental Health Advisory Committee and charges the committee with, among other things, developing recommendations related to a revised reimbursement methodology for community mental health clinics and studying the certification and licensing criteria of Medicare-certified community mental health centers to be enrolled in Medicaid as community mental health clinics. While I agree with the benefit of multi-disciplinary input to the Medicaid program, I do not believe an advisory committee for such a narrow purpose, and without any expiration, should be placed in statute, particularly as it potentially relates to a Medicaid rate issue. Narrowly tailored rate issues should be addressed through the rule making process established in law, which provides for appropriate oversight by the Legislature. This established process allows the Department of Health and Hospitals to evaluate the impact of that particular issue on the larger delivery system, and I believe this comprehensive approach is critical to the successful operation of the Medicaid program.

For this reason, I have vetoed HB 1385, and hereby return it to the House of Representatives. I have issued Executive Order No. BJ 2008-24, which will serve to carry out this bill’s intent.

Very truly yours,

Bobby Jindal

Governor

BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed HB 922 and sent the following veto letter:

Honorable Alfred W. Speer

Clerk of the House of Representatives

State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

Re: House Bill No. 922 by Representative Henderson

Veto Message

Dear Mr. Speer:

House Bill No. 922 would create an exception to the ethics code to permit physician members of a hospital service district board to maintain a personal service or employment agreement with a person who does business with the hospital or hospital service district. The bill also would create an exception for certain members of a parish governing authority who rent or lease property from the parish airport authority. I do not see the need for this legislation. For these reasons, I have vetoed HB922 and hereby return it to the House of Representatives.

Very truly yours,

Bobby Jindal

Governor