During certain declared emergencies, legislative members may participate remotely and still count for quorum, but they must certify votes in writing and file them; amendments must be submitted 24 hours ahead, and the presiding officer controls invocation of this authority.
§7.1. Participation in certain meetings by teleconferencing or other electronic means for legislative bodies A. During a gubernatorially declared state of emergency pursuant to R.S. 29:724 et seq., or a gubernatorially declared state of public health emergency pursuant to R.S. 29:766 et seq., and as necessary to provide for the continuity of government and legislative operations during such an emergency, a member shall be counted for quorum purposes for the Senate or the House of Representatives to transact business and for quorum purposes for a committee to transact business if the member participates remotely by telephone, teleconference, or other electronic means. B.(1) During a gubernatorially declared state of emergency pursuant to R.S. 29:724 et seq., or a gubernatorially declared state of public health emergency pursuant to R.S. 29:766 et seq., and as necessary to provide for the continuity of government and legislative operations during such an emergency, a member shall be permitted to participate in the debate and vote if the member participates remotely by telephone, teleconference, or other electronic means. The member shall certify each vote in writing and file the certification with the secretary of the Senate or the clerk of the House of Representatives. (2) Any amendment, to be considered during legislative operations taking place remotely by telephone, teleconference, or other electronic means, shall be submitted at least twenty-four hours in advance of consideration of the amendment to the legislative body. C. The authority provided in this Section during a gubernatorially declared emergency or public health emergency shall be invoked only at the discretion of the presiding officer and shall automatically expire upon the termination of the declared state of emergency. Acts 2020, No. 302, §1, eff. June 12, 2020.