The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services. The keyword,
summary, 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)]
DIGEST
SB 131 Original 2025 Regular Session Kleinpeter
Present U.S. Constitution (14th Amendment) provides that representatives in congress shall be
apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole
number of persons in each state. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the population of
congressional districts in the same state must be as nearly equal in population as practicable.
Present law provides for six congressional districts based upon the 2020 federal decennial census.
Proposed law updates precincts for the current Act 2 of the 2024 1st E.S. congressional districts
based upon the "2025 Precinct Shapefiles (1-16-2025)".
Proposed law provides that the new districts become effective upon signature of governor or lapse
of time for gubernatorial action for election purposes only for the regular congressional elections in
2026. Retains present law districts based upon the 2020 census until noon on January 3, 2027, at
which time present law is repealed and the new districts based upon the 2020 census, as established
by proposed law, become effective for all other purposes.
Proposed law specifies that precincts referenced in district descriptions are those precincts identified
as Voting Districts (VTDs) contained in the file named "2025 Precinct Shapefiles (1-16-2025)"
available on the La. Legislature's website. Specifies that the 2025 Precinct Shapefiles are based upon
those Voting Districts (VTDs) contained in the 2020 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line Shapefiles
for the State of Louisiana as those files have been modified and validated through the data
verification program of the La. legislature. Also specifies that if any such precinct has been
subdivided by action of the parish governing authority on a nongeographic basis or subdivided by
action of the parish governing authority on a geographic basis in accordance with present law, the
enumeration of the general precinct designation shall include all nongeographic and all geographic
subdivisions thereof. Further provides that the territorial limits of the districts as enacted shall
continue in effect until changed by law regardless of any subsequent change made to the precincts
by the parish governing authority.
Proposed law specifies that proposed law does not reduce the term of office of any person holding
any position or office on the effective date of proposed law for which the appointment or election
is based upon a congressional district as composed pursuant to present law. Specifies that any
position or office filled after Jan. 3, 2027, for which the appointment or election is based upon a
congressional district shall be appointed or elected from a district as it is described in proposed law.
Population data in the summaries accompanying this digest are derived from 2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171), Summary File for Louisiana. Population data, statistical
information, and maps are supplied for purposes of information and analysis and comprise no part
of proposed law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action for election purposes
only for the regular congressional elections in 2026; effective for all other purposes at noon on
January 3, 2027.
(Adds R.S. 18:1276; repeals R.S. 18:1276.1)