SSHB1082 4144 5346
HOUSE SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB 1082 2022 Regular Session Gaines
ELECTIONS: Provides for election procedures during a state of emergency
Synopsis of Senate Amendments
1.Makes technical changes.
Digest of Bill as Finally Passed by Senate
Present law provides that when a polling place is relocated, the clerk of court in conjunction
with the secretary of state shall give adequate notice of the change of the location to each
voter registered to vote at that polling place and to each candidate to be voted on at that
polling place.
Proposed law provides that the secretary of state shall also post a list of all changed polling
locations on the secretary of state's website.
Present law provides that after the issuance of an executive order by the governor declaring
a state of emergency and if the secretary of state determines that such emergency impairs an
election due to certain circumstances, the secretary of state shall certify such facts and the
reasons therefor to the governor, the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs,
and the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
Present law provides that if the governor and a majority of the members of each committee
concur that such an emergency plan is necessary, the secretary of state shall develop a written
emergency plan that proposes a resolution to the problems impairing the holding of the
election. Provides that the plan shall propose a resolution to problems impairing the holding
of the election with respect to the following:
(1)Relocation or consolidation of polling places.
(2)Shortages of commissioners and absentee commissioners.
(3)Shortages of voting machines.
(4)Conducting early voting for displaced persons.
Present law requires the secretary of state to submit the emergency plan to the Senate
Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs, the House Committee on House and
Governmental Affairs, and the governor. If a majority of the members of the legislative
committees approve the emergency plan, the plan shall be submitted to the members of each
house of the legislature for approval by mail ballot. If the legislature and the governor
approve the emergency plan, the secretary of state shall implement the plan.
Proposed law provides that after the initial declaration of an emergency within 45 days prior
to an election, the secretary of state shall take necessary actions to ensure successful
execution of the election including:
(1)Adjusting deadlines.
(2)Adjusting provision of equipment, staffing, and other resources.
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Present law regarding concurrence of the governor and the legislative committees that an
emergency action is necessary and regarding the approval of the plan by the governor and the
legislature is not applicable to proposed law.
Proposed law requires the Dept. of State to provide a report to the legislature within 15 days
of an election detailing such actions taken pursuant to proposed law.
Effective Oct. 1, 2022.
(Adds R.S. 18:401.2(B)(5) and 401.4)
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