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 Engrossed 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 state or local official or agency responsible for conducting elections
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. Proposed law provides that the
prohibition does not apply to the solicitation, acceptance, use, or disposal of campaign contributions
or in-kind contributions by a candidate for public office for the purpose of meeting expenses related
to seeking that office.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 18:1400.9)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill:
1. Add that the prohibition does not apply to solicitation, use, etc. of campaign
contributions or in-kind contributions by a candidate for public office.