HLS 25RS-654 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 147
BY REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
GAMBLING/VIDEO POKER: Provides for a local option gaming election on the operation
of video draw poker devices in Claiborne Parish
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 18:1300.27, relative to video draw poker devices; to authorize the governing
3 authority of Claiborne 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. 18:1300.27 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 ยง1300.27. Video draw poker devices; local option election; Claiborne Parish
10 A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the governing
11 authority of Claiborne Parish is hereby authorized to call and conduct an election on
12 a proposition to allow the operation of video draw poker devices within that parish.
13 B.(1) The governing authority of Claiborne Parish may call, by ordinance or
14 resolution, an election on the proposition of whether the operation of video draw
15 poker devices, as authorized by Chapter 8 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised
16 Statutes of 1950, shall be permitted within that parish.
17 (2) The ordinance or resolution shall specify the date of the election and the
18 wording of the proposition to appear on the ballot.
19 C.(1) An election called as provided by this Section may be held on any date
20 as provided by R.S. 18:402(F), provided it falls more than forty-five days but not
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 25RS-654 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 147
1 more than six months after the meeting at which the resolution or ordinance calling
2 the election is adopted.
3 (2) Except as provided in this Section, the election shall be held in
4 accordance with the provisions of the Election Code governing proposition elections.
5 Any elector who was qualified to vote in the election may demand a recount of the
6 ballots or contest the election in the manner and within the time provided by law for
7 recount or contest of elections under the Election Code.
8 D.(1) If a majority of the electors voting in the election authorized pursuant
9 to the provisions of this Section vote to permit the operation of video draw poker
10 devices, then video draw poker devices may be operated in Claiborne Parish as
11 provided by law.
12 (2) If a majority of the electors voting in an election authorized pursuant to
13 the provisions of this Section vote not to permit the operation of video draw poker
14 devices in Claiborne Parish, then no license shall be issued to conduct the operation
15 of video draw poker devices in Claiborne Parish, and the operation of video draw
16 poker shall be prohibited in that parish.
17 E. The governing authority of Claiborne Parish shall promptly notify the
18 Louisiana Gaming Control Board of the results of the election.
19 F. The cost of the election provided for by this Section shall be borne by the
20 governing authority of Claiborne Parish.
21 G. The election authorized pursuant to this Section shall take place only
22 once.
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 147 Original 2025 Regular Session Young
Abstract: Authorizes the governing authority of Claiborne Parish to hold an election on a
proposition to allow the operation of video draw poker devices in that parish.
Proposed law authorizes the governing authority of Claiborne Parish to hold an election on
whether to allow the operation of video draw poker devices.
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 25RS-654 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 147
Proposed law provides that the ordinance or resolution calling for the election shall specify
the date of the election and the wording to appear on the ballot.
Proposed law provides for the dates on which the election may be held.
Proposed law provides for the manner in which the election shall be held.
Proposed law provides that if a majority of the electors voting in the election vote to allow
video draw poker, then video draw poker shall be permitted in Claiborne Parish.
Proposed law directs the governing authority to notify the La. Gaming Control Board of the
results of the election and to pay for the election.
Proposed law provides that the election shall take place only once.
(Adds R.S. 18:1300.27)
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.