HLS 21RS-632 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 319
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
GAMBLING/VIDEO POKER: Provides for a local option gaming election on the operation
of video draw poker devices in Natchitoches Parish
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 18:1300.25, relative to video draw poker devices; to authorize the governing
3 authority of Natchitoches Parish to call and conduct a referendum election on a
4 proposition to allow the operation of video draw poker devices in the parish; to
5 provide for procedures for the calling and holding of the election; and to provide for
6 related matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 18:1300.25 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 ยง1300.25. Video draw poker devices; local option election; Natchitoches Parish
10 A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the governing
11 authority of Natchitoches Parish is hereby authorized to call and conduct an election
12 on a proposition to allow the operation of video draw poker devices within that
13 parish.
14 B.(1) The governing authority of Natchitoches Parish may call, by ordinance
15 or resolution, an election on the proposition of whether the operation of video draw
16 poker devices, as authorized by Chapter 8 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised
17 Statutes of 1950, shall be permitted within that parish.
18 (2) The ordinance or resolution shall specify the date of the election and the
19 wording of the proposition to appear on the ballot.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-632 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 319
1 C.(1) An election called as provided by this Section may be held on any date
2 as provided by R.S. 18:402(F), provided it falls more than forty-five days but not
3 more than six months after the meeting at which the resolution or ordinance calling
4 the election is adopted.
5 (2) Except as provided in this Section, the election shall be held in
6 accordance with the provisions of the Election Code governing proposition elections.
7 Any elector who was qualified to vote in the election may demand a recount of the
8 ballots or contest the election in the manner and within the time provided by law for
9 recount or contest of elections under the Election Code.
10 D.(1) If a majority of the electors voting in the election authorized pursuant
11 to the provisions of this Section vote to permit the operation of video draw poker
12 devices, then video draw poker devices may be operated in Natchitoches Parish as
13 provided by law.
14 (2) If a majority of the electors voting in an election authorized pursuant to
15 the provisions of this Section vote not to permit the operation of video draw poker
16 devices in Natchitoches Parish, then no license shall be issued to conduct the
17 operation of video draw poker devices in Natchitoches Parish, and the operation of
18 video draw poker shall be prohibited in that parish.
19 E. The governing authority of Natchitoches Parish shall promptly notify the
20 Louisiana Gaming Control Board of the results of the election.
21 F. The cost of the election provided for by this Section shall be borne by the
22 governing authority of Natchitoches Parish.
23 G. The election authorized pursuant to this Section shall take place only
24 once.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-632 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 319
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 319 Original 2021 Regular Session Cox
Abstract: Authorizes the governing authority of Natchitoches Parish to call a local option
election to allow the operation of video draw poker devices.
Proposed law authorizes the governing authority of Natchitoches Parish to call a local option
election to allow the operation of video draw poker devices. Provides that the governing
authority of Natchitoches Parish shall call the election by ordinance or resolution.
Proposed law further provides that the ordinance shall specify the date of the election and
the wording of the ballot.
Proposed law requires the governing authority of Natchitoches Parish to promptly notify the
La. Gaming Control Board of the results of the election.
Proposed law provides that the costs of the election shall be borne by the governing authority
of Natchitoches Parish.
Proposed law provides that the election shall only occur once.
(Adds R.S. 18:1300.25)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.