HLS 24RS-1006 ORIGINAL 2024 Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO. 726 BY REPRESENTATIVE ADAMS GAMBLING/VIDEO POKER: Provides for a local option gaming election on the operation of video draw poker devices in East Feliciana Parish 1 AN ACT 2To enact R.S. 18:1300.34, relative to video draw poker devices; to authorize the governing 3 authority of East Feliciana 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. 18:1300.34 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 9 ยง1300.34. Video draw poker devices; local option election; East Feliciana Parish 10 A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the governing 11 authority of East Feliciana 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 East Feliciana Parish may call, by 15 ordinance or resolution, an election on the proposition of whether the operation of 16 video draw poker devices, as authorized by Chapter 8 of Title 27 of the Louisiana 17 Revised 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. Page 1 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 24RS-1006 ORIGINAL HB NO. 726 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 East Feliciana 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 East Feliciana Parish, then no license shall be issued to conduct the 17 operation of video draw poker devices in East Feliciana Parish, and the operation of 18 video draw poker shall be prohibited in that parish. 19 E. The governing authority of East Feliciana 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 East Feliciana Parish. 23 G. The election authorized pursuant to this Section shall take place only 24 once. Page 2 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 24RS-1006 ORIGINAL HB NO. 726 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 726 Original 2024 Regular Session Adams Abstract: Authorizes the governing authority of East Feliciana Parish to call a local option election to allow the operation of video draw poker devices. Proposed law authorizes the governing authority of East Feliciana Parish to call a local option election to allow the operation of video draw poker devices. Provides that the governing authority of East Feliciana 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 East Feliciana 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 East Feliciana Parish. Proposed law provides that the election shall only occur once. (Adds R.S. 18:1300.34) Page 3 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions.