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On Friday morning, Louisiana State Legislative leaders announced that neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives received the required number of ballots to declare a veto session unnecessary, paving the way for a constitutionally mandated veto session to begin Tuesday, July 20.

“The majority of senators have heard from their constituents who have asked them to take votes on the veto override,” Senate President Page Cortez said. “It has become clear that the majority of senators felt compelled to return for the veto session, based on constituent feedback.”

When the governor issues vetoes, the state constitution requires that a veto session be called on the 40th day following the adjournment of the most recent session, unless declared unnecessary by a majority of elected members of either house.

“In accordance with the Louisiana Constitution and the will of the majority of its members, the legislature will return to Baton Rouge to consider overriding vetoes made by Gov. Edwards this session,” Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder said. “This is democracy in action.”

The veto session, which will begin Tuesday, cannot exceed five calendar days.

Some of the most discussed bills that could have vetoes overridden include Senate Bill 118, which would have allowed residents over the age of 21 to carry concealed guns without a permit and without training; and Senate Bill 156, which would have prohibited transgender athletes from competing on girls sports teams.

Senate Bill 156, sponsored by State Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, won approval in the Senate by a vote of 29-6, and passed the House by a vote of 78-19. If both those margins hold in the veto session, they would be enough to override Edwards’ veto.

For more information on this session and all of the bills to be considered, visit online at www.legis.la.gov.