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2022 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 449
BY SENATOR LUNEAU
GAMING. Authorizes the Natchitoches Parish Council to call a referendum election to
allow video draw poker gaming in Natchitoches Parish. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 18:1300.26, 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.
7 Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 18:1300.26 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 ยง1300.26. Video draw poker devices; local option election; Natchitoches Parish
11 A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the
12 governing authority of Natchitoches Parish is hereby authorized to call and
13 conduct an election on a proposition to allow the operation of video draw poker
14 devices within that parish.
15 B.(1) The governing authority of Natchitoches Parish may call, by
16 ordinance or resolution, an election on the proposition of whether the operation
17 of video draw poker devices, as authorized by Chapter 8 of Title 27 of the
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words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 449
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1 Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, shall be permitted within that parish.
2 (2) The ordinance or resolution shall specify the date of the election and
3 the wording of the proposition to appear on the ballot.
4 C.(1) An election called as provided by this Section may be held on any
5 date as provided by R.S. 18:402(F), provided it falls more than forty-five days
6 but not more than six months after the meeting at which the resolution or
7 ordinance calling the election is adopted.
8 (2) Except as provided in this Section, the election shall be held in
9 accordance with the provisions of the Election Code governing proposition
10 elections. Any elector who was qualified to vote in the election may demand a
11 recount of the ballots or contest the election in the manner and within the time
12 provided by law for recount or contest of elections under the Election Code.
13 D.(1) If a majority of the electors voting in the election authorized
14 pursuant to the provisions of this Section vote to permit the operation of video
15 draw poker devices, then video draw poker devices may be operated in
16 Natchitoches Parish as provided by law.
17 (2) If a majority of the electors voting in an election authorized pursuant
18 to the provisions of this Section vote not to permit the operation of video draw
19 poker devices in Natchitoches Parish, then no license shall be issued to conduct
20 the operation of video draw poker devices in Natchitoches Parish, and the
21 operation of video draw poker shall be prohibited in that parish.
22 E. The governing authority of Natchitoches Parish shall promptly notify
23 the Louisiana Gaming Control Board of the results of the election.
24 F. The cost of the election provided for by this Section shall be borne by
25 the governing authority of Natchitoches Parish.
26 G. The election authorized pursuant to this Section shall take place only
27 once.
28 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
29 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
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1 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
2 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
3 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by James Benton.
DIGEST
SB 449 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Luneau
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 will call the election by ordinance or resolution.
Proposed law further provides that the ordinance will 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 will be borne by the governing authority
of Natchitoches Parish.
Proposed law provides that the election will only occur once.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 18:1300.26)
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.