DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 51 Original 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Miguez
Abstract: Prohibits use of private funds for election related expenses by a governing authority or
agency during a declared emergency.
Present law provides relative to payment of costs related to elections including payment of costs of
ballots and election materials, publication of the location of polling places, of renting polling places,
of drayage, of setting up voting machines, of compensating commissioners and deputy parish
custodians, of transmitting election returns, of other election-related costs incurred by registrars of
voters, clerks of court, and the parish board
of election supervisors. Present law further specifies that election expenses will be shared on a
prorated basis by the state and local governments from funds appropriated to the secretary of state
for that purpose.
Proposed law provides that no governing authority or agency shall solicit, accept, use, or dispose of
any donation in the form of money, grants, property, or personal services from individuals or profit
or nonprofit corporations, for the purpose of funding election related expenses during a declared state
of emergency.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 18:1400.9)