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 248 Original 2020 Regular Session Harris
Abstract: Provides that expenses for the payment of overtime compensation to employees of the
secretary of state for overtime related to the conduct of early voting and the election during
a specified time period shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the secretary of
state.
Present law provides relative to payment of costs related to elections including the 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
which election expenses will be shared on a prorated basis by the state and local governments
depending on what is on the ballot and which costs will be paid either by the appropriate local
governing authority or by the state. Present law additionally provides that election expenses incurred
by a registrar of voters and his permanent employees to perform election duties and responsibilities
associated with early voting on any day during the week between 4:30 p.m. and the time that early
voting terminates that day and on any Saturday on which early voting is conducted shall be paid by
the state from funds appropriated to the secretary of state for that purpose.
Proposed law retains present law and further provides that election expenses incurred by the
secretary of state for the payment of overtime compensation to his permanent employees for
overtime incurred to perform duties and responsibilities associated with early voting and the election
during the time period beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the day before the start of early voting through
11:59 p.m. on the day after election day shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the
secretary of state for that purpose.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 18:1400.9)