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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
SENATE BILL NO. 652
BY SENATOR HEBERT
VOTERS/VOTING. Requires that propositions placed on a ballot be worded in plain simple
grammar in the form of a question. (1/1/11)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:1299.1, relative to elections; to provide that any question or2
proposition to be voted on must also include a question in simple language directed3
to the voter with regard to the passage or rejection of the proposition; and to provide4
for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 18:1299.1 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 7
ยง1299.1. Statement of question Question or proposition to be voted on; statement8
length9
A. The preparation of the statement of any a question or proposition to be10
submitted to the voters at an election shall be the responsibility of the governing11
authority or other entity calling the election or submitting the question or12
proposition. The statement of the proposition shall also include a simple and13
unbiased concise summary in easily understood language which sets forth the14
substance of the proposition be comprised of simple, unbiased, concise, and easily15
understood language and be in the form of a question. The statement of the16
proposition, including the summary, shall not exceed four two hundred words in17 SB NO. 652
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
length. Such summary shall be placed at the beginning of the statement of the1
proposition.2
B. The secretary of state shall be responsible for ensuring that the statement3
of the proposition contains the summary as provided in Subsection A complies with4
the requirements of this Section. 5
Section 2. This Act shall become effective January 1, 2011.6
The original instrument was prepared by Alden A. Clement, Jr. The
following digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative
instrument, was prepared by Cathy Wells.
DIGEST
Hebert (SB 652)
Present law provides that the preparation of the statement of any question or proposition to
be submitted to the voters at an election is the responsibility of the governing authority or
other entity calling the election or submitting the question or proposition. Present law
provides that the statement of the proposition is to include a simple and unbiased concise
summary in easily understood language which sets forth the substance of the proposition.
Proposed law requires the proposition be comprised of simple, unbiased, concise, and easily
understood language and to be in the form of a question.
Present law further provides that the statement of the proposition, including the summary,
cannot exceed 400 words in length.
Proposed law prohibits the proposition from exceeding 200 words.
Present law provides that this summary is to be placed at the beginning of the statement of
the proposition.
Proposed law removes the requirement that a summary be included on the ballot.
Present law provides that the secretary of state is responsible for ensuring that the statement
of the proposition contains the summary required by present law.
Proposed law requires the secretary of state to ensure the proposition complies with the
requirements of proposed law.
Effective January 1, 2011.
(Amends R.S. 18:1299.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill.
1. Changes the content of the proposition from a statement of the proposition
also containing a question in easily understood language to a simple,
unbiased, concise, and easily understood language in the form of a question. SB NO. 652
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
2. Reduces the maximum number of words in the proposition from 400 words
to 200 words.
3. Removes the requirement that a summary of the proposition be included on
the ballot.
4. Removes the requirement that the secretary of state is responsible for
ensuring the proposition contains a summary.
5. Adds the requirement that the secretary of state is responsible for ensuring
the proposition complies with proposed law.
6. Changes the effective date from August 15, 2010 to January 1, 2011.