The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Matt DeVille.
DIGEST
SB 80 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Fields
Proposed law requires a local governing body to hold at least two public hearings prior to the
adoption of any redistricting plan. Further requires at least one hearing to be held within seven days
after the publication of any proposed redistricting plan.
Proposed law provides each member of the public in attendance at a public redistricting hearing of
a local governing body is entitled to testify in accordance with the rules of the local governing body.
Proposed law requires a joint committee comprised of the members of the senate and governmental
affairs and house and governmental affairs committees to hold a series of public "roadshow
hearings" to solicit public comment about the development of redistricting plans for the legislature,
Public Service Commission, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, state courts, and
Congress following the release of the latest federal decennial census data by the United States
Census Bureau.
Proposed law requires roadshow hearings to be held throughout the state prior to the consideration
of any statewide redistricting plan by the legislature or any of its committees or subcommittees.
Proposed law provides that the locations, schedules, and agendas of the roadshow hearings as well
as the practices and procedures of the joint committee that are not prescribed by present law or rule
are to be determined by the chairs of the senate and governmental affairs and house and
governmental affairs committees.
Proposed law requires the joint committee or its staff to present information on relevant redistricting
terms, concepts, criteria, and laws at each roadshow hearing. Further requires presentation of
information pertaining to potential implications of the latest federal decennial census data.
Proposed law provides each member of the public in attendance at a roadshow hearing is entitled to
testify in accordance with the rules of the joint committee. Further allows any member of the public
to submit written testimony to the joint committee and requires the ability to submit testimony via
electronic means to be provided for a minimum of one meeting.
Proposed law requires all roadshow hearings to be streamed online in real time and recorded.
Proposed law requires the legislature to establish, maintain, and update a redistricting website and
stipulates certain content it must contain, including the roadshow hearing schedule, archived video
recordings, redistricting plans submitted to the joint committee, and all image files, shapefiles, and
block equivalency files of currently enacted statewide redistricting plans. Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 18:1922.1, 1961, and 1962)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill
1. Authorize local governing bodies and the joint governmental affairs committee to
determine the length of public testimony by rule.
2. Remove requirements for a set number of roadshow hearings to be held in
predetermined locations.
3. Require the publication of any redistricting plans submitted to the joint governmental
affairs committee to the redistricting website.
4. Remove the requirement that any analysis that has been performed by or on behalf
of the state concerning currently enacted redistricting plans be published to the
redistricting website.
5. Make technical changes.