reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.2. Supervisory Committee; rule-making authority; advisory opinions; inquiries

RS 18:1511.2 - Supervisory Committee; rule-making authority; advisory opinions; inquiries
A. The supervisory committee may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Chapter. Such rules shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter and may include but shall not be limited to any rule to:
(1) Provide for operations of the committee and for committee investigations and proceedings pursuant to this Chapter.
(2) Clarify a provision of this Chapter.
(3) Define a term used in this Chapter.
(4) Apply a general provision of this Chapter or of a committee rule or regulation to specific circumstances.
(5) Repealed by Acts 2014, No. 857, §3.
B. The supervisory committee may render an advisory opinion concerning the application of a general provision of this Chapter, or a general provision prescribed as a rule or regulation by the committee. The supervisory committee may render an opinion in response to a request by any public official, any candidate for public office, any political committee, or the committee may render an advisory opinion on its own initiative. Such an opinion shall not constitute a rule under the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and the supervisory committee shall not be subject to that Act in carrying out the provisions of this Subsection.
C. The supervisory committee or the staff of the supervisory committee may request clarification or additional information from a candidate, political committee, or other person required to file reports pursuant to this Chapter, regarding any information disclosed on a report or that is required to be disclosed on a report.
Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 2014, No. 657, §1; Acts 2014, No. 857, §3.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.4. Supervisory committee; investigations

RS 18:1511.4 - Supervisory committee; investigations
A. The supervisory committee may investigate any apparent or alleged violation of this Chapter. The supervisory committee by a two-thirds vote of its membership may initiate such an investigation when, as a result of its review of reports, other documents or information, filed under provisions of this Chapter, it determines that there is reason to believe a violation of this Chapter has occurred, and it shall initiate an investigation when it makes such a determination upon receipt of a sworn complaint filed with the supervisory committee by any person who believes a violation of the Chapter has occurred.
B. In any investigation under the authority of this Chapter, the supervisory committee may examine or audit records and reports required to be maintained or filed under the provisions of this Chapter.
C.(1) Pursuant to its authority under this Chapter the supervisory committee shall have the power and authority to hold hearings, to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, compel the production of books, records, and papers, public and private, require the submission under oath of written reports or answers to questions, and to do all that is necessary to effect the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) Upon motion by an affected party including, but not limited to, a candidate, committee, any member of a committee, a prospective witness or any person whose books, records, papers, or other documents are the subject of any subpoena, and for good cause shown, any district court within the jurisdiction of which any inquiry is being conducted may make any order which justice requires to protect such person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following:
(a) That the inquiry not be had.
(b) That the inquiry may be had only upon specified terms and conditions including a designation of the time and place.
(c) That the inquiry shall be conducted by a method other than selected by the supervisory committee.
(d) That certain matters not be inquired into or that the scope of the inquiry be limited to certain matters.
(e) That the inquiry be conducted with no one present except persons designated by the court.
D. Upon petition by the supervisory committee or an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board any district court within the jurisdiction of which any inquiry is being carried on may, in case of refusal to obey a subpoena or order of the supervisory committee or an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board issued pursuant to this Chapter, issue an order requiring compliance. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.
Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 59, §1, eff. June 17, 1981; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 64, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1997; Acts 2012, No. 609, §1, eff. June 7, 2012.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.4.1. Enforcement; failure to file; failure to timely file

RS 18:1511.4.1 - Enforcement; failure to file; failure to timely file
A. The staff of the supervisory committee may assess and issue a final order for the payment of civil penalties for knowingly failing to file or knowingly failing to timely file in accordance with R.S. 18:1505.4 and rules adopted by the supervisory committee.
B. The supervisory committee may waive all or part of any civil penalties assessed pursuant to Subsection A of this Section. A request for waiver of such penalties shall be made in writing to the supervisory committee, which shall promulgate rules governing the procedure to request a waiver. The supervisory committee may take into consideration the provisions of R.S. 18:1511.5(B) in its consideration of the request for waiver of civil penalties. The final disposition of a waiver request shall not be appealable to the Ethics Adjudicatory Board or a panel thereof.
C.(1) A final order issued pursuant to Subsection A of this Section shall be appealable to an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board which shall conduct an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the Code of Governmental Ethics.
(2) If a final order is appealed pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board shall determine the penalties, if any, that should be imposed in accordance with this Chapter, and shall issue a final decision. The final decision may be appealed as provided in R.S. 42:1142.
(3) The Ethics Adjudicatory Board, or a panel thereof, shall have the power and authority to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, compel the production of books, records, and papers, public and private, require the submission under oath of written reports or answers to questions, and to do all that is necessary to effect the provisions of this Chapter.
D. When all delays for a request for waiver or appeal have expired, a final order of the supervisory committee or its staff or final decision of an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board shall become executory and may be enforced as any other money judgement. The supervisory committee may file civil proceedings to collect such civil penalties in the district court of the parish in which the candidate, chairman, or treasurer of the political committee or other person required to file reports is domiciled. The proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure. The proceeds of such civil penalties shall be paid directly to the treasurer of the state of Louisiana.
Acts 2012, No. 609, §1, eff. June 7, 2012.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.5. Procedure for enforcement; civil

RS 18:1511.5 - Procedure for enforcement; civil
A.(1) When the results of the investigation by the supervisory committee indicate that a violation of this Chapter has occurred which is subject to civil penalties, the supervisory committee is authorized to file civil proceedings to collect the civil penalties provided in R.S. 18:1505.4(B) or 1505.5.
(2) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any action for the payment of civil penalties due pursuant to R.S. 18:1505.4 for knowingly failing to file or knowingly failing to timely file, which shall be governed by R.S. 18:1511.4.1.
(3) Except as provided in R.S. 18:1511.7, these proceedings shall be filed in the district court of the parish in which the candidate, chairman or treasurer of the political committee, or other person required to file reports, is domiciled. The proceedings shall be by rule to show cause and shall be conducted pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure.
B. In determining the amount of the civil penalty to be assessed, the district court shall take into consideration the reason for the failure to file timely, the reason for failing to disclose required information, the reason for inaccurately disclosing required information, the nature of the office sought by the candidate, the nature of the office or offices supported or opposed by a political committee or other person, the significance of the information undisclosed or inaccurately disclosed to the voting public, and whether or not the candidate, chairman or treasurer of the political committee, or other person actually has filed a report or disclosed such information prior to the election or prior to the institution of the rule to show cause.
C. A judgment of a district court assessing such civil penalties may be appealed suspensively to the appropriate court of appeal according to the provisions of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure.
D. A judgment assessing civil penalties shall become executory when all delays for appeal have expired according to the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, and may be enforced as any other money judgment. However, the proceeds of such civil penalties shall be paid directly to the treasurer of the state of Louisiana.
Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 266, §1, eff. July 18, 1982; Acts 1988, No. 994, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 66, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1997; Acts 2012, No. 609, §1, eff. June 7, 2012.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.6. Procedures for enforcement; criminal

RS 18:1511.6 - Procedures for enforcement; criminal
A. When the results of the supervisory committee's investigation indicate that a knowing, willful, and fraudulent violation or an intentional criminal violation of this Chapter has occurred, the supervisory committee shall forward all information concerning the alleged violation to the district attorney of the judicial district in which the alleged violation has occurred who shall review such information and make such investigation and initiate such prosecution as he shall deem necessary; except, if the violation occurred with regard to a campaign for the office of district attorney for the judicial district in which the violation took place, the committee shall forward all information concerning the alleged violation to the attorney general who, for cause, when authorized by the court which would have original jurisdiction and subject to judicial review, shall proceed with such criminal prosecutions as are provided by this Chapter.
B. Only the district attorney or attorney general may initiate criminal actions under the provisions of this Chapter. Initiation of such criminal actions by the district attorney or attorney general shall be on the basis of information forwarded by the supervisory committee to the district attorney or attorney general or on the basis of such other information as may be available to the district attorney or the attorney general. The supervisory committee shall have no authority to initiate prosecution.
C. The supervisory committee shall post on its website the name of each person or entity that is the target of any investigation forwarded to the district attorney or attorney general as provided in Subsection A of this Section. The posting shall indicate the date of such referral and the current status of prosecution. The status of each prosecution shall be updated quarterly for two years or until there is a final disposition of the matter, whichever occurs first.
Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 2008, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 27, §1, eff. March 30, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 904, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.7. Venue

RS 18:1511.7 - Venue
A. Actions or proceedings for violation of R.S. 18:1505.1 shall be brought in the parish of East Baton Rouge.
B. Except as provided in Subsection A, actions or prosecutions for any violation of this Chapter shall be brought in the parish of the domicile of the offender and prosecutions shall be instituted by the district attorney of that parish.
Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.9. Immunity from prosecution; prohibition

RS 18:1511.9 - Immunity from prosecution; prohibition
No person shall be granted immunity from prosecution for testimony or for providing information in connection with any investigation or proceeding conducted under the provisions of this Chapter.
Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.10. False complaints

RS 18:1511.10 - False complaints
Any person who knowingly and willfully files a false complaint with the supervisory committee, any person who knowingly and willfully discloses the contents of any complaint, any person who knowingly and willfully discloses any information forwarded to the appropriate officials with such a complaint, or any person who knowingly and willfully discloses any proceedings of the supervisory committee before any action with which the supervisory committee or district attorney has proceeded or, in the case of criminal actions relating to campaigns for district attorney, any action with which the attorney general has proceeded, becomes a public record, or before the prescriptive period has elapsed or the matter is otherwise finally disposed of, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not in excess of five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not in excess of six months, or both. The supervisory committee, district attorney or the attorney general investigating any complaint filed with the supervisory committee or any matter under their review or investigation under the provisions of this Chapter may concurrently investigate such complaint with a view to determining if there has been any violation of this Chapter, or if the complainant has knowingly and willfully filed a false complaint.
Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.11. Precedence of actions; limitation of actions

RS 18:1511.11 - Precedence of actions; limitation of actions
A. Any action brought under the provisions of this Chapter shall be advanced on the docket of the district court in which filed, and shall take precedence over and be considered in advance of all other actions other than actions brought under this Chapter.
B. Actions for violation of this Chapter must be commenced before three years have elapsed from the date of the violation or, if the violation is contained in a report, before one year has elapsed from filing of the relevant report.
Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1997, No. 286, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1511.12. Legislative intent

RS 18:1511.12 - Legislative intent
In amending and reenacting this Chapter in 1980 and subsequently, it is and was the intent of the legislature that the provisions of R.S. 18:1491.6(D) and R.S. 18:1495.4(D) are remedial and supplemental in nature and, therefore, shall apply retroactively to candidates and committees which were covered by the deficit reporting provisions of this Chapter before and after such amendments.
Added by Acts 1982, No. 266, §1, eff. July 18, 1982.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1531. Transportation of voters

RS 18:1531 - Transportation of voters
A. No person or political committee shall accept or agree to accept, either directly or indirectly, from a candidate, a political committee, or a person required to file reports pursuant to R.S. 18:1501.1, or from a person on behalf of a candidate, a political committee, or a person so required to file reports, anything of economic value, including any reimbursement of costs, for the purpose of conveying an elector or causing an elector to be conveyed in a motor vehicle to a polling place for the purpose of voting in an election or to any place where early voting is being conducted for the purpose of early voting, or for driving or being in charge of any motor vehicle being so used.
B. No candidate, political committee, or person required to file reports pursuant to R.S. 18:1501.1, and no person on behalf of a candidate, a political committee, or a person so required to file reports, shall pay, or agree or offer to pay, anything of economic value, including any reimbursement of costs, to any person or political committee for the purpose of conveying an elector or causing an elector to be conveyed in a motor vehicle to a polling place for the purpose of voting in an election or to any place where early voting is being conducted for the purpose of early voting, or for driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle being so used.
C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be assessed a civil fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars. On a second violation, or any succeeding violation, the penalty shall be a civil fine of not more than five thousand dollars. The provisions of R.S. 18:1505.6 shall not apply to violations of this Section.
D.(1) The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable to any person who gratuitously transports voters to the polls on election day or who gratuitously transports voters to vote during early voting.
(2) The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit paying or offering or agreeing to pay any bona fide bus, taxi, or transportation service, which holds a license or permit duly issued by the appropriate governmental entity and which regularly does business in the area, to convey an elector to vote or vote during early voting, nor shall this Section prohibit any such bus, taxi, or transportation service from accepting or agreeing to accept such a payment.
Added by Acts 1981, No. 716, §1, eff. July 23, 1981; Acts 1993, No. 199, §1, eff. June 1, 1993; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1552. Persons authorized to file reports

RS 18:1552 - Persons authorized to file reports
A. If the provisions of this Part are utilized, the personal representative of the estate of the deceased candidate shall be responsible for filing the required reports. The personal representative of the deceased candidate shall send notice to the supervisory committee of his intent to utilize the provisions of this Part to resolve the deficit of the deceased candidate.
B. For purposes of this Part, "personal representative" shall have the same meaning as provided in R.S. 9:2260.1.
Acts 2011, No. 208, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1553. Reports; contents; due dates

RS 18:1553 - Reports; contents; due dates
The reports shall be filed at the same time, shall contain the same information, and shall be certified correct in the same manner as reports required by this Chapter for candidates with deficits.
Acts 2011, No. 208, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1554. Contribution limitations

RS 18:1554 - Contribution limitations
A. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:1505.2(H), the contribution limit for contributions to a deceased candidate who has a deficit, or the principal campaign committee of such a deceased candidate, shall be ten thousand dollars per calendar year until there is no deficit.
B. Any contributions received in excess of the deficit shall be returned to the contributors on a pro rata basis.
Acts 2011, No. 208, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1555. Penalties

RS 18:1555 - Penalties
A. The penalty provisions of Part V of this Chapter shall not be applicable to violations of this Part.
B. If a violation of this Part occurs, the supervisory committee shall notify the personal representative of the deceased candidate that each contribution received after the violation shall be returned to the contributor and that no further contributions, except contributions from a family member of the deceased candidate, may be solicited or received to resolve the deficit. For purposes of this Subsection, "family member" shall mean the spouse of the deceased, children of the deceased and their spouses, parents of the deceased, parents of the spouse of the deceased, grandparents of the deceased, siblings of the deceased and their spouses, and siblings of the parents of the deceased and their spouses.
Acts 2011, No. 208, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1651. §§1651 to 1844 redesignated by Acts 1991, No. 74, §3. See, now, Title 11.

RS 18:1651 - §§1651 to 1844 redesignated by Acts 1991, No. 74, §3. See, now, Title 11.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1901. Purpose

RS 18:1901 - Purpose
It is the purpose of this Chapter to provide for participation by the state of Louisiana in programs of the Bureau of the Census of the United States Department of Commerce which provide for furnishing census information to the states for purposes of reapportionment, pursuant to federal laws for that purpose.
Added by Acts 1976, No. 626, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1976. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 559, §1, eff. July 22, 1982.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1902. State liaison

RS 18:1902 - State liaison
A. The secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives, or their designees, jointly, shall serve as the state liaison with the United States Bureau of the Census on all matters related to the tabulation of population and other census information for purposes of reapportionment. The secretary and the clerk, jointly, may submit to the bureau, on behalf of the state, a plan identifying the geographic areas for which specific tabulations of population or other census information are desired for reapportionment purposes, in accordance with criteria established by the United States Secretary of Commerce, and may supply such other information as may be required by the census bureau or the Secretary of Commerce in order to furnish the state such tabulations.
B. The secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives, jointly, shall furnish the parish governing authorities and the parish registrars of voters instructions and assistance to enable them to provide the secretary and the clerk such maps and information as may be necessary to comply timely with the census bureau requirements.
Added by Acts 1976, No. 626, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1976. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 559, §1, eff. July 22, 1982; Acts 1985, No. 670, §1, eff. July 16, 1985.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1904. Cooperation of state agencies and officials

RS 18:1904 - Cooperation of state agencies and officials
All state agencies and officials shall cooperate with the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives in carrying out the purposes of this Chapter and shall furnish the secretary and clerk all such statistical information, maps, and other data as they may request to comply with requirements of the Bureau of the Census.
Added by Acts 1976, No. 626, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1976. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 559, §1, eff. July 22, 1982; Acts 1985, No. 670, §1, eff. July 16, 1985; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §2, eff. July 1, 1997.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1905. Cooperation of local governments and officials

RS 18:1905 - Cooperation of local governments and officials
All parish and municipal governing authorities and officials shall cooperate with the secretary of the Senate and clerk of the House of Representatives in carrying out the purposes of this Chapter and shall furnish to the secretary and clerk upon request such information as may be required by the census bureau, including but not limited to precinct maps.
Added by Acts 1976, No. 626, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1976. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 559, §1, eff. July 22, 1982.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1906. Tabulation for reapportionment; legislature

RS 18:1906 - Tabulation for reapportionment; legislature
In accordance with Article III, Section 6(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, the tabulation of population for each decennial census on the basis of which the legislature shall reapportion the representation in each house shall be the tabulation of population reported and transmitted by the United States Bureau of the Census to the governor and the legislature within one year after the census date, under the provisions of Public Law 94-171. Such tabulation of population shall be the sole basis for the establishment of legislative districts, and no other or subsequent tabulation of population shall be considered or utilized in such reapportionment.
Acts 1990, No. 288, §1, eff. July 5, 1990.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1921. Applicability

RS 18:1921 - Applicability
This Chapter applies to any local governing body, including but not limited to any police jury, city or parish council, or school board, which is required under the constitution or laws of this state or of the United States to reapportion its voting districts following each decennial census.
Acts 1984, No. 672, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1922. Time for reapportionment; submission under Voting Rights Act

RS 18:1922 - Time for reapportionment; submission under Voting Rights Act
A. Unless a different period of time is specified by the constitution or by statute, the governing authority of each local governing body shall reapportion its voting districts by the end of the year following the year in which the population of this state is reported to the president of the United States for each decennial census.
B. If the governing body is subject to the preclearance provisions of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the governing authority shall submit the reapportionment plan for preclearance no later than one hundred twenty days after the adoption of the reapportionment plan by the governing authority.
Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1022, §1.
*42 U.S.C. 1971 et seq.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1922.1. Public participation

RS 18:1922.1 - Public participation
A. Prior to the adoption of any redistricting or reapportionment plan, a local governing body shall hold a minimum of two public hearings. At least one hearing shall be held within thirty days after the publication of any proposed redistricting plan.
B. Each member of the public who attends a hearing shall be afforded an opportunity to testify on the record in accordance with the rules of the local governing body.
Acts 2023, No. 240, §1, eff. June 9, 2023.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1923. Failure to comply; misfeasance; sanctions

RS 18:1923 - Failure to comply; misfeasance; sanctions
A. Failure to meet any of the requirements of R.S. 18:1922 shall be misfeasance in office.
B. Failure to meet any of the requirements of R.S. 18:1922 may subject the local governing authority to the sanction of having the amount of any state revenue sharing funds payable to that governing authority withheld, reduced, or both.
Acts 1984, No. 672, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1941. Voting Rights Act submission by political subdivisions; copy to secretary of state

RS 18:1941 - Voting Rights Act submission by political subdivisions; copy to secretary of state
A. Each political subdivision of this state which submits for preclearance any proposed change in voting practice or procedure pursuant to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965* shall, at the same time as the submission, send a copy of its submission, by certified mail, to the secretary of state, clerk of court, and registrar of voters. The political subdivision shall also send to the secretary of state, clerk of court, and registrar of voters, by certified mail, a copy of any response to the submission.
B. The entity responsible for sending a copy of the submission and any response thereto to the secretary of state, clerk of court, and registrar of voters, as required pursuant to this Section, is the submitting authority as defined in the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
C. In order for an office which is included in a reapportionment or redistricting plan to be included on the ballot for an election, a notice that such plan has been precleared pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 shall be received by the secretary of state not later than 5:00 p.m. of the fifth business day prior to the scheduled opening of the qualifying period for the election. If the notice of preclearance is not timely received by the secretary of state, the election shall be postponed and shall be scheduled at the next available election date and such election shall not be considered a special election. The secretary of state shall not include on the ballot for the election any office for which notice of preclearance of the reapportionment or redistricting plan is not timely received.
Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1022, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012.
*42 U.S.C. 1971, et seq.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1942. Preclearance of state reapportionment plan pursuant to Voting Rights Act; copy to secretary of state

RS 18:1942 - Preclearance of state reapportionment plan pursuant to Voting Rights Act; copy to secretary of state
In order for an office which is included in a reapportionment or redistricting plan enacted by the legislature, or ordered by a state court of competent jurisdiction to replace or in lieu of a plan enacted by the legislature, to be included on the ballot for an election, a notice that such plan has been precleared pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 shall be sent to the secretary of state by the person or entity that submitted the plan for preclearance and shall be received by the secretary of state not later than 5:00 p.m. of the fifth business day prior to the scheduled opening of the qualifying period for the election. If the notice of preclearance is not timely received by the secretary of state, the election shall be postponed and shall be scheduled at the next available election date and such election shall not be considered a special election. The secretary of state shall not include on the ballot for the election any office for which notice of the preclearance of the reapportionment or redistricting plan is not timely received.
Acts 2003, No. 1022, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1945. Submission of redistricting plans to the secretary of state; required format

RS 18:1945 - Submission of redistricting plans to the secretary of state; required format
A. If a local governing body utilizes a geographic information system to develop its redistricting plan, the local governing body shall submit an electronic shapefile which reflects its redistricting plan to the secretary of state within ten business days of its adoption of the redistricting plan.
B. If a local governing body is unable to submit an electronic shapefile, the local governing body shall submit an ASCII, comma delimited block equivalency import file which indicates the census block assignments in accordance with its redistricting plan to the secretary of state within ten business days of its adoption of the redistricting plan.
C. No redistricting plan of a local governing body shall be implemented unless the information required in Subsection A or B of this Section is received by the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. four weeks prior to the date the qualifying period opens. However, technical corrections to a timely submitted redistricting plan of a local governing body may be submitted no later than ten days prior to the date the qualifying period opens.
D. For the purposes of this Section, "local governing body" shall include each parish governing authority, municipal governing authority, and school board.
Acts 2016, No. 623, §1; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 688, §1, eff. June 18, 2022.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:1951. Maps of reapportioned districts; Department of Transportation and Development

RS 18:1951 - Maps of reapportioned districts; Department of Transportation and Development
The Department of Transportation and Development is authorized to prepare maps of the Louisiana congressional districts, legislative districts, Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education districts, and Louisiana Public Service Commission districts following reapportionment of the districts as otherwise provided by law.
Added by Acts 1983, No. 519, §2, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1991, No. 330, §1, eff. July 6, 1991.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:1. "Property" defined

RS 19:1 - "Property" defined
As used in this part, the term "property" means immovable property, including servitudes and other rights in or to immovable property.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess. No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:2.1. Petition for expropriation; place of filing; contents; claims for damages; prescription

RS 19:2.1 - Petition for expropriation; place of filing; contents; claims for damages; prescription
A. The rights of expropriation granted in R.S. 19:2 shall be exercised in the following manner:
(1) A petition shall be filed by the plaintiff in the district court of the parish in which the property to be expropriated is situated. However, where the property to be expropriated extends into two or more parishes and the owner of the property resides in one of them, the petition shall be filed in the district court of the parish where the owner resides; but if the owner does not reside in any of the parishes into which the property extends, the petition may be filed in any of the parishes into which the property extends. In all such cases, the court wherein the petition is filed shall have jurisdiction to adjudicate as to all the property involved.
(2) The petition shall contain a statement of the purposes for which the property is to be expropriated, describing the property necessary therefor with a plan of the same, a description of the improvements thereon, if any, and the name of the owner if known.
(3) The petition shall conclude with a prayer that the property be adjudicated to the plaintiff with just compensation paid to the owner, as provided in this part.
B. All claims for property by, or for damages to the owner caused by the expropriation of property pursuant to R.S. 19:2 shall be barred by the prescription of two years commencing on the date on which the property was actually occupied and used for the purposes of the expropriation.
Added by Acts 1950, No. 238, §1; Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 2012, No. 702, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:3. Property not subject to expropriation

RS 19:3 - Property not subject to expropriation
A. No graveyard or cemetery shall be expropriated unless the court finds that the route of expropriation cannot be diverted from that proposed by the plaintiff without great public loss or inconvenience. This Subsection shall not apply to a graveyard or cemetery in which no interred remains are located at the time the plaintiff makes its first offer to acquire the rights sought to be acquired.
B. No mortgage shall be expropriated. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to any expropriating authority authorized by R.S. 19:2 that seeks to expropriate needed property that is subject to a mortgage. The provisions of R.S. 19:11 shall apply in such cases.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 2014, No. 632, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:4. Trial without jury except to determine compensation

RS 19:4 - Trial without jury except to determine compensation
Expropriation cases shall be tried before the court without a jury, except that a party shall have the right to trial by jury to determine compensation. If the plaintiff desires a trial by jury the demand shall be made in the petition. If the defendant desires trial by jury he shall file his demand therefor within the time for filing his answer. Once any party has timely demanded a jury trial, that demand is effective against and binding upon all parties and cannot thereafter be waived without the consent of all parties.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:5. Time of trial; notice to defendant

RS 19:5 - Time of trial; notice to defendant
A. Upon the institution of a suit for expropriation, the trial court shall issue an order fixing the time of the trial of the suit which shall not be less than sixty days from the filing of the suit.
B. The clerk of court shall issue to the defendant, at least sixty days before the time fixed for the trial, a notice accompanied by a certified copy of the petition, copies of all exhibits, and a certified copy of the order for trial.
C. The notice shall contain the following:
(1) The date of issuance.
(2) The title of the cause.
(3) The name of the person to whom it is addressed.
(4) The title and location of the court issuing it.
(5) The date fixed for trial.
(6) A statement that the defendant must file an answer, exception, or other responsive pleading within the thirty-day period after service of citation and that failure to do so within the thirty-day period constitutes a waiver by the defendant of all defenses to the suit except claims for compensation.
Acts 1983, No. 408, §1; Acts 2012, No. 702, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:6. Service of answer on plaintiff

RS 19:6 - Service of answer on plaintiff
The defendant shall file any answer, exceptions, or other responsive pleadings within thirty days after the service upon the defendant of the notice of the time fixed for the trial. The answer, exceptions, or other responsive pleadings shall be served personally or by mail on either the plaintiff or its attorney of record in the suit.
Amended by Acts 1970, No. 429, §1. Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 2012, No. 702, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:7. Failure to timely file by defendant; forfeiture of defenses

RS 19:7 - Failure to timely file by defendant; forfeiture of defenses
Failure of the defendant in any such suit to timely file any answer, exceptions, or other responsive pleadings constitutes a waiver by the defendant of all defenses to the suit except claims for compensation.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 2012, No. 702, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:8. Trial with dispatch; judgment; appraisals; payment in court registry

RS 19:8 - Trial with dispatch; judgment; appraisals; payment in court registry
A.(1) Expropriation suits shall be tried by preference and shall be conducted with the greatest possible dispatch. All issues shall be decided by the trial judge, except compensation when either party has demanded a trial by jury to determine compensation.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 19:5, if the defendant files a timely answer, exception, or other responsive pleading challenging any issue other than compensation, the court shall set the matter for hearing within thirty days after filing of the pleading and shall render a decision within five days after the case is submitted, which time periods may be extended for good cause shown. If the court rules in favor of the expropriating authority, upon motion of either party, the trial on compensation shall be set within forty-five days thereafter, which time period may be extended for good cause shown.
(3) Immediately after compensation has been determined, the plaintiff shall, upon motion of the defendant, present evidence as to the highest amount it offered the defendant for the property and severance damages, if any, prior to the trial on the merits. After hearing evidence on the issue, the court shall determine the highest amount offered. If the highest amount offered is less than the compensation awarded for the property and severance damages, if any, the court may award reasonable attorney fees to the defendant. The expropriating authority shall not be entitled to possession or ownership of the property until a final judgment has been rendered and payment has been made to the owner or paid into the registry of the court, except as may otherwise be stipulated by the parties.
B. If either party has demanded a trial by jury to determine compensation, the trial shall be in accordance with the general laws regulating trial by jury, except as provided in this Part and except that in order to render any verdict, five of the jurors must concur therein. The jury shall consist of six jurors. The judge may allow the jurors to take a concise summary into the jury room as provided in R.S. 48:451.18. The number of peremptory challenges is as provided for in R.S. 48:451.9.
C. After the trial to determine compensation the court shall render judgment against the plaintiff in the amount of the compensation determined to be due the owner.
D. The expropriating authority shall present its evidence of value first.
E. Absent an express stipulation by the parties, the plaintiff shall present a prima facie case of the public and necessary purpose of the proposed acquisition.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 2012, No. 702, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:9. Measure of compensation; "extent of loss"

RS 19:9 - Measure of compensation; "extent of loss"
A. In determining the value of the property to be expropriated, and any damages caused to the defendant by the expropriation, the basis of compensation shall be the value which the property possessed before the contemplated improvement was proposed, without deducting therefrom any general or specific benefits derived by the owner from the contemplated improvement or work.
B. The defendant shall be compensated to the full extent of his loss. The court shall include in its consideration the difference between the rate of interest of any existing mortgage on an owner-occupied residence and the prevailing rate of interest required to obtain a mortgage on another owner-occupied residence of equal value.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 1983, No. 33, §1; Acts 2012, No. 702, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:10. Transfer of ownership

RS 19:10 - Transfer of ownership
Payment by the plaintiff to the owner of the compensation fixed in the final judgment to be due or the deposit thereof in the registry of the court for the benefit of the persons entitled thereto entitles the plaintiff to the property rights described in the judgment of expropriation.
Amended by Acts 1970, No. 477, §1; Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:11. Encumbered property; distribution of price to creditors

RS 19:11 - Encumbered property; distribution of price to creditors
Whenever any property encumbered with mortgages or privileges of any kind is expropriated pursuant to this part, the property passes to the person expropriating it free and clear of all encumbrances. Any amount awarded pursuant to the provisions of this part shall be paid into the court by which the expropriation is made and distributed to the mortgage and privileged creditors according to their priority.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess. No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:12. Tender of true value refused; costs

RS 19:12 - Tender of true value refused; costs
If the highest amount offered prior to the filing of the expropriation suit is equal to or more than the final award, the court may, in its discretion, order the defendant to pay all or a portion of the costs of the expropriation proceedings.
Amended by Acts 1974, Ex.Sess. No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 2012, No. 702, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 19 - Expropriation › §19:13. Appeal; payment of award to owner or deposit in court as entitling plaintiff to property

RS 19:13 - Appeal; payment of award to owner or deposit in court as entitling plaintiff to property
No party to any expropriation proceeding shall be entitled to or granted a suspensive appeal from any order, judgment, or decree rendered in such proceeding, whether such order, judgment, or decree is on the merits, exceptions, or special pleas and defenses, or compensation, or any or all of them. The whole of the judgment, however, shall be subject to the decision of the appellate court on review under a devolutive appeal, and the delays for taking such appeal shall commence upon the signing of the judgment determining compensation. If any change in the amount awarded is made on such appeal, the plaintiff shall pay the additional assessment or recover the surplus paid.
Amended by Acts 1954, No. 706, §1. Acts 1960, No. 108, §1; Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.