Opinion ID: 1668398
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts and procedural status

Text: The Louisiana legislature consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. La. Const. art. III, § 1(A). The legislature is a continuous body during the term for which its members are elected. La. Const. art. III, § 1(B). Article III, § 3 provides that the number of members of the legislature shall be provided by law, but the number of Senators shall not exceed 39 members. Louisiana Revised Statutes 24:35.1 provides the senate shall be composed of 39 members, elected from 39 senatorial districts. On January 12, 2004, the oath of office for members of the Louisiana Senate was taken by 39 duly elected individuals. However, on April 12, 2005, Senator Lambert Boissiere resigned, creating a vacancy in the senate seat for District No. 3. A primary election to fill the vacancy is scheduled for May 21, 2005, with a general election, if necessary, scheduled for June 18, 2005. The unfortunate death of Senator John J. Hainkel, Jr., on April 15, 2005, created a vacancy in District No. 6. A primary election to fill that vacancy is scheduled for June 4, 2005, with a general election, if necessary, scheduled for July 9, 2005. When the legislature convened at the state capitol in Baton Rouge at noon on April 25, 2005, to conduct the 2005 regular session, there were 37 senators and two vacancies. As the regular session must conclude on or before June 23, 2005, the vacancies will exist during most, if not all, of the current session. Thus, the number of senators required for a quorum, a simple majority, and a two-thirds majority became a disputed issue. [2] Senator Robert M. Marionneaux, Jr., of District No. 17, and Senator Lee Joseph Jody Amedee, III, of District No. 18, filed a petition for declaratory judgment in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge. They named as defendants Senator Donald E. Don Hines of District No. 28, who serves as President of the Louisiana Senate, and Senator Arthur J. Lentini of District No. 10, who serves as Parliamentarian of the Louisiana Senate. The petition, the answer, memoranda, and stipulations were filed on May 4, 2005. The House of Representatives intervened in the suit. After the district court scheduled a hearing for May 16, 2005, all parties filed an application directly to this court, seeking either immediate consideration by this court, without a trial court decision, or an order from this court directing the trial court to immediately consider the matter. We granted certiorari and ordered the record brought up to this court for immediate resolution. Marionneaux v. Hines, 05-1191 (La.5/10/05), 902 So.2d 373.