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 690 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Amedee
Abstract: Provides for changes to elections, voting, and plans of a state central committee of a
recognized party.
Present law provides that a political party's members of the state central committee are elected every
four years at the same time as the presidential preference primary election to a term no longer than
the period for which the member was elected. Further provides that members elected in 1991 shall
serve until their successors are chosen.
Proposed law removes the exception that members elected in 1991 shall serve until their successors
are chosen.
Proposed law provides that if an election for state central committee members does not occur at the
same time as the 2020 presidential preference primary, the election for state central committee
members shall occur at the next regularly scheduled runoff election. Further provides that the
secretary of state shall select the dates of qualification of candidates.
Present law provides that for a political party of which 30% percent or less of the registered voters
in the state are affiliated, the membership of the state central committee is composed and
apportioned as provided in R.S. 18:443.2.
Proposed law retains present law but removes the required percentage.
Present law provides that for a political party of which 30% percent or less of the registered voters
in the state are affiliated, all members of a state central committee are elected at the same time as the
presidential preference primary election. Further provides that the term of office will be no longer
than the period for which the member was elected.
Proposed law gives a state central committee the option to choose whether to be elected as provided
in R.S. 18:443.2 or by R.S. 18:443.1. Changes the term of a member; the member's term will be
until the next presidential primary is held or until his successor is qualified and elected in the event
that the election for state central committee members cannot be held at the same time as the
presidential preference primary election.
Present law prohibits a member of a state central committee from exercising the proxy votes of more
than three other members at any meeting. Proposed law removes present law. Present law provides that when a state central committee does not adopt and file a plan, the
membership of such state central committee shall be composed of 144 members, with one member
elected from each of the districts from which members of the House of Representatives and the
Senate of the legislature are elected. Proposed law removes present law and provides that a plan
previously filed by the state central committee remains in effect until rescinded or replaced by the
state central committee.
Present law provides that a political party's members of a parish executive committee are elected
every four years at the same time as the presidential preference primary election to a term no longer
than the period for which the member was elected. Further provides that members elected in 1991
shall serve until their successors are chosen.
Proposed law removes the exception that members elected in 1991 shall serve until their successors
are chosen.
Proposed law provides that members shall serve until the next presidential primary is held or until
their successors are qualified and elected.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 18:443(B)(1), 443.1(B), 443.2(2)(a)(ii), (3), and (7), and 444(B)(1); Adds R.S.
18:443(G))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill:
1. Add provisions of proposed law regarding the date of the election for state central
committee members in 2020.
2. Add a provision of proposed law regarding the term of office of the members of a parish
executive committee.
3. Add a provision making proposed law effective upon signature of governor or lapse of
time for gubernatorial action.