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 359 Original 2022 Regular Session Beaullieu
Abstract: Prohibits implementation of federal election directives and guidance and spending of
federal money for elections under certain conditions.
Proposed law requires and prohibits certain actions related to elections by the secretary of state and
his employees, registrars of voters and their employees, clerks of court and their employees, parish
boards of election supervisors and their employees, commissioners-in-charge, and commissioners,
all referred to in this digest as election officials.
Proposed law requires an election official who receives a federal directive or guidance pertaining to
elections to notify the governor, the speaker of the La. House of Representatives and the president
of the La. Senate of such directive or guidance within five business days.
Proposed law prohibits an election official from implementing any federal directive or guidance
pertaining to elections unless the implementation is explicitly required by law or one of the following
applies:
(1)The House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on
Senate and Governmental Affairs approve the implementation.
(2)Neither committee prohibits the implementation within 30 days after receipt of a request
from the official for authority to implement the directive or guidance.
Proposed law prohibits an election official from accepting or dispersing federal elections funds
unless the acceptance and dispersal is explicitly required by law or one of the following applies:
(1)The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget votes to approve the acceptance and dispersal
of the funds.
(2)The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget does not vote to disapprove the acceptance
and dispersal within 30 days after receipt of a request from the official for authority to accept
and disperse the funds.
Proposed law provides that if an election official accepts and disperses federal election funds in
violation of proposed law, the attorney general shall pursue any available legal means to enjoin the
official from doing so and to recover expended funds. Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 18:425.2)