[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6057675,"mediaKeyId","3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809","parentId",3300345,"title","Committee approves redrawing of 19th JDC elections into two subdistricts plus at-large seat; opponents cite racial and logistical concerns","audioSeconds",1569,"startMs",5163000,"endMs",6732000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809&start=5163&end=6732","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809/thumbnail_5163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6057675/Louisiana/Committee-approves-redrawing-of-19th-JDC-elections-into-two-subdistricts-plus-at-large-seat-opponents-cite-racial-and-logistical-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057675-6467722b8b79c83005077aa8402b5131/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991617&Signature=CA4MzsmMZgFsgE5e-kdXR~ScUU7lWDOK~U8q-5KXlLB1bbQ475zH8hWk45By29dw5yu3D4COtszaIcDlAkUyQOUE4c8aUIc7K0xUEQY9lFhC2ZnbMIfXUJVdfDID1jxWx9Mew7uuCqx8jMB05s7P8Ar8xlEWkFR3vvnM1eLwWKC9jbZst98LKKMifEmSz-0IFy4N4DPf0KvbdlXMnLTsv-YTL0fbm~tanbZLvLiNMSdGU3-XcMiUouW6dG00xws0bgU-OWlCzuEbrGfUys72-Lf6a914MvBUrl5mPTe1uOQ~LMFEOtEQHF2QtI2eeA8slwu4hXHQ3MlauxLCffkaBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-05-14T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 124, sponsored by Representative Freiberg, would reorganize the nineteenth Judicial District Court’s electoral sections, replacing three judicial subdistricts with two subdistricts plus an at-large seat. The committee adopted precinct-assignment amendments that reduced population deviations and then voted to report the bill favorably as amended.

The sponsor said updated precinct assignments reduced a population deviation that previously approached 8 percent down to about 1.5 percent between the two new subdistricts. The amendment changed precinct assignments to balance population based on the 2020 census and local voter-registration data.

Opponents, including several judges and local attorneys who provided information to the committee, said the change risks disadvantaging candidates with fewer financial resources because at-large races require larger campaign spending and broader outreach. Judge Ronald Johnson, who has run successfully in an evenly split subdistrict, warned that removing a three-district structure could eliminate a district where voters of different demographics successfully elect candidates of choice.

“Now that district in particular, given the turnout, if we're talking about race, if you got good candidates, it could flip,” Judge Tarvian Smith told the committee, describing his own experience winning cross-demographic support in an evenly split district.

Sponsor Freiberg responded that the change seeks to ensure broad representation and that the amended plan produces two nearly equal subdistricts while retaining an at-large seat intended to give the whole parish a voice.

After debate and public information from judges and local officials, Representative Freiberg moved to report House Bill 124 favorably as amended. Representative Marcel objected, and the secretary called the roll; the committee ultimately returned a favorable report and the bill will move to the House floor as amended.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House & Gov May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers approved House Bill 124 to reconfigure elections for judges on the nineteenth Judicial District Court into two subdistricts plus an at-large seat after the committee adopted precinct adjustments to reduce population deviation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6057679,"Panel clears bill to create 'Louisiana Dividend' fund from excess mineral revenues",0,11552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809&start=11552&end=11552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809/thumbnail_11552000.jpg","/articles/6057679/Louisiana/Panel-clears-bill-to-create-Louisiana-Dividend-fund-from-excess-mineral-revenues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057679-4ac4ef9d785c926b1068985fcb6195e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991617&Signature=h61idW37-yzNLPTr9bwSDTBF6-NXdPOAiSBRxKSFE~vOFMKqMexIRyJtTBamC~3PIxLOsfw1pruXRkgPaE~71a3SMNTZamPlAEtfcYNlblUPd-iz7wfV1T9RTGo6eYnsE8pGkpdsipAiN5Mw6v3a3CFrdeTJOkTMu~fovZeUkPYaheUJKFz4Ih5cGMFIqeS2WPXg1ReVXLtt-UfoisEM0Z80zbz6Rpzly0aSe1JvfFtP42mmcOVWGKcmcr7yFdavI3MofrLIrxYmIl7I1Og9363DXaY7xNXuERZOuejEhiPv-F3CRWBptShrDdankdTvFDBha5wcOhlKYDdv1qKIHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 628, sponsored by Representative Cruz, would create a Louisiana Dividend Program in the state Treasury to collect and, once certain thresholds are met, distribute payments to qualifying residents from excess mineral revenues.

Under the bill’s formula, 25% of mineral revenue in excess of a $650 million statutory threshold would flow into a dedicated dividend subfund. Once the subfund reached $400 million, the statute would authorize a distribution cycle; Representative Cruz filed an amendment that removes automatic payments and allows the legislature to adopt a two-thirds concurrent resolution in the regular session electing instead to use the funds for capital outlay or other purposes.

Cruz said the bill is meant to ensure the state has a ready program if mineral-revenue surges make sizable payouts feasible, and he characterized the draft as a flexible, implementable framework patterned on Alaska’s Permanent Fund practice. He told the committee the bill includes application, residency and eligibility rules and makes special provision for incarcerated residents by routing their amounts to a criminal-justice subfund.

“Some constituents brought it to me. I’m like, why don’t we put something in place?” Cruz said. He said the bill’s thresholds and timing are adjustable and that he is willing to work with colleagues on details.

Committee members questioned frequency of high mineral-revenue years and whether the program would be likely to generate meaningful per-person payments. Witnesses and members discussed the statute’s residency and eligibility provisions, including a 12-month domicile requirement and exclusions for certain noncitizens and people convicted of specified offenses; the bill includes administrative appeals for residents who believe they were improperly excluded.

After amendment and debate the committee adopted the change allowing legislative direction by concurrent resolution and reported House Bill 628 favorably as amended by roll call (12 yeas, 1 nay). Representative Cruz said he will continue consultations to refine technical and administrative details before floor action.","House members voted to report House Bill 628, which would create a treasury-managed dividend fund to hold portions of mineral revenue above a statutory threshold and provide a process for future distributions to residents, with a sponsor amendment giving the Legislature authority to redirect funds with a concurrent resolution.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6057684,"Committee backs broad rewrite of campaign finance law with new committee types and due-process changes",1842,9756000,11598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809&start=9756&end=11598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809/thumbnail_9756000.jpg","/articles/6057684/Louisiana/Committee-backs-broad-rewrite-of-campaign-finance-law-with-new-committee-types-and-due-process-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057684-fff35d60498155419d032c507c31b93a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991618&Signature=m43hJ8cEqxHAZYIMVt79Se11alcCwWvgVypNAKUVQpdlk8fUhzGVGkgiTf~zW0-~sinnFnAR0QMOdhrSgJIaD6u2itVEJS9jGGxc5CrxOnAOE~tdI6zMkYEfY5YpZTThP2P-zAvnXRmPGpobBsD8R5ftBexPQu72kcUHPiqlT0vdWb9bxs2n59C473k5VJvX2rjewMMKePssEUlealKJre81wwxJo5upkRvMl0VTAXhgQFG6Bjqbq7NLZTCE4KKqhuKjTY5-GGMJ2-OuqfjHoyZr~-sN1RRsAvto8aIsKO2zf4ILdB~xI9drd1m0cLdqr5VdeUzPXMefuPkIt5Tn~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee voted to report House Bill 596, a wide-ranging modernization of Louisiana’s Campaign Finance Disclosure Act, as amended by a substitute bill that lawmakers and stakeholders described as a streamlining and updating of long-running statutory language.

Sponsor Representative Wright said the substitute codifies contemporary practices — including leadership PACs, joint fundraising agreements and independent-expenditure-only committees — and brings monetary thresholds in the statute up to date. Attorney Stephen Gillette, who helped draft the substitute language, told the committee the bill clarifies definitions, increases several reporting thresholds and adds procedural safeguards intended to align the act with constitutional norms.

“The bill does a number of things, meant to modernize the Louisiana campaign finance law,” Gillette said. He described changes that would explicitly authorize common fundraising structures, clarify the definition of personal use, and change reporting timing for certain post-election filings.

Supporters argued the changes will make compliance easier and modernize an older statute. The Department of State’s campaign finance staff acknowledged the bill would require new forms and administrative work but did not oppose the substitute. David Bordelon, campaign finance administrator for the Board of Ethics, told the committee the board would need new forms and time to implement the new committee types and joint-fundraising rules and recommended the sponsor work with staff on an implementation timetable.

Opponents including the Public Affairs Research Council raised concerns that some provisions could reduce transparency. PACs and independent-expenditure entities would be regulated by the act but the substitute also contains tailored disclosure rules and a number of exemptions (for example, certain internal communications by faith organizations that do not constitute express advocacy). One critic said the package overly privileges officeholders by directing courts and agencies to construe ambiguities in favor of respondents.

After testimony and a review of the substitute, the committee adopted the substitute and reported House Bill 596 favorably by roll call. The roll call returned 10 yeas and 4 nays.","House members voted to report House Bill 596 — a comprehensive update to Louisiana campaign finance law — as substituted. The substitute creates distinct categories for committees, modernizes reporting thresholds, clarifies donor privacy in some cases and adds procedural protections for respondents to ethics investigations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6057689,"House panel splits 300- vs. 600-foot debate; bill to shrink campaign-free zone fails on tied vote",2012,7631000,9643000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809&start=7631&end=9643","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809/thumbnail_7631000.jpg","/articles/6057689/Louisiana/House-panel-splits-300-vs-600-foot-debate-bill-to-shrink-campaign-free-zone-fails-on-tied-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057689-25f1179ea18b64d57cb32e6da0127307/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991617&Signature=ZODYY-kmuDI7zUzzP1Z32bO-jE4UCyAk8btx0le1qFiqtb~fSS4wHRfy90gRYb026wbUbMa~RqnttwZigLIZP-sNUujqUsrzybcUHrm98zPNrUf1~2BT6bYPwdIK9jeIsFirwxAGmYcOhBI4ZgGlCJi~PJcTWtkw~Ko7Cjt9DsdoC6d582VjaSH7ax24fFRVIfX4AHFOmdXWqDMIikmOAGy8HQt~xaYj-dTePPlbAzX2vS~ZAKB4g2dHI3Gai-Xx85uSM4bkqPG2jOgHCL0B539ATRvUMGvM7O~71u9kb3hIjD4ty9ZP~KRajjwAD7SIBIfxIWTrQ9jzIAKBM7VZKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Larvadain brought House Bill 332 seeking to reduce Louisiana’s no-electioneering radius around polling places from 600 feet to 300 feet and to clarify that designated parking lots attached to polling sites are within the protected area.

Proponents said the change would make enforcement clearer and reduce the large, unevenly applied 600-foot perimeter. Representative Larvadain told the committee that 600 feet is a “huge area” that sometimes sweeps in nearby property and creates enforcement inconsistencies.

“600 feet is a huge area and is constantly having, unequally enforced boundaries all around the state,” said a representative for proponents during the hearing. Supporters also added a proposed carve-out so the protected zone would explicitly include an attached or designated parking lot, which the sponsor said was intended to protect voters while they are in vehicles entering or exiting a site.

Secretary of State staff urged the committee to retain the 600-foot standard. Catherine Newsom, first assistant to the secretary of state, told members the 600-foot boundary had been upheld by Louisiana precedents and provided “clarity for commissioners to enforce.” Newsom cited prior state cases and argued a smaller zone could reintroduce confusion and potentially return the state to the intimidation and election-tampering concerns the larger zone has historically addressed.

Witnesses and committee members split on the balance between voter access and free-speech rights. Some representatives said lowering the radius would help grassroots notification and last-minute efforts in dense neighborhoods; others said the longer buffer is important for voter protection and for practical enforcement, especially where early-voting sites have a single entry point.

After extended questioning and public comment, the committee voted on Larvadain’s amendment and then on the bill. The motion to report House Bill 332 favorably as amended was objected to and, on a roll call, the committee was evenly divided at 8 yeas and 8 nays, and the measure failed to be reported from the committee.

The hearing included testimony from local clerks and civic groups. The Secretary of State’s office noted enforcement and operational concerns and recommended preserving the 600-foot radius that has been in place since the statute’s increase from 300 feet in 1980.","Representative Larvadain proposed reducing Louisiana’s campaign-free zone outside polling places from 600 feet to 300 feet and excluding designated parking lots; after testimony from the Secretary of State’s office and divided committee debate the bill failed on an 8–8 vote in committee.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6057694,"Committee narrows exit-polling rule, limits activity in 600-foot election zone",2584,92000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809&start=92&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3300345-1bc43d2d87d391e581d7cfdd3e511809/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6057694/Louisiana/Committee-narrows-exit-polling-rule-limits-activity-in-600-foot-election-zone","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057694-f4013e03594a13d230aa3db75b03e974/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991617&Signature=nKGNdEhG7wXSUmNzvPf55~yZHiQn5rgQHS9vDh7TaZIJMU-vNTDjA~OS-VGei7tmwuzop-p~FQfcyARalsmCkgkMCr~AnzWTcZ94mVOiqslmLq14aOI2vFO6KWY6QD~m6jFZg7n-cUIW4bmZB3Aton72Eb4gWyR7dVO2-quJaopR6lA5WdXowl1aN9WRxMa2EJd76tLd2rCPv3I9-cPQjHBhlbVp9PV3YxhSnplywXUrJnwY58csx9yALqq9iigDBdm71J5VKBESa~O5RWt2KRDN1SnrMeDft7W4HE4G3qzID8Tsf4iB-v-cLfP8BzP-V1ZrLG3f58l7~Gsbh4nm2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 80, carried to the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs by Senator Miller, was reported favorably as amended after the committee adopted a technical amendment and a roll-call vote.

The bill narrows the law’s exception for exit polling within the 600-foot no-electioneering zone by defining “exit polling” and limiting the activity inside that zone to bona fide journalists or news media organizations. Secretary of State Nancy Landry told the committee the change responds to incidents in which groups used the lack of a statutory definition to conduct what she described as disruptive ‘‘push polls’’ and activism within the zone.

“Some in our state have attempted to use the law’s lack of definition regarding exit polling to conduct activism within the 600 foot no electioneering zone, which violates the spirit of the law,” Secretary Landry said. She described a recent North Louisiana site where people set up a demonstration of a voting system and asked questions that she said went beyond accepted exit-poll practice.

Landry said the bill would require that exit polling inside the zone be limited to questions about ballot issues and non-disruptive demographic polling done by bona fide media organizations. The secretary identified the statutory definition the bill relies on for “bona fide news gathering organization” and said the office checks applicants’ credentials when it receives exit-poll requests.

Sherry Wharton Hatzke, the state’s commissioner of elections, said the office notifies clerks, commissioners and deputies at a polling place when exit-poll requests are approved and that poll workers are told the pollsters are there ‘‘for exit polling and that they had applied.’’

Several representatives voiced support for tightening rules to prevent what Rep. Farnham called “a 3-ring circus” outside polling places; others and outside witnesses warned the change could raise First Amendment concerns. Attorney and PaRC president Steven Procopio later testified in opposition that the bill, as originally framed, risked unduly restricting citizens’ ability to conduct lawful exit polls.

The committee adopted an amendment that technicalized the bill’s language, moving some phrasing into present law and preserving key subparagraphs. After debate, Representative Farnham moved the committee report; one member objected and the secretary called the roll. The committee returned a favorable report as amended by a vote of 9 yeas and 4 nays.

The bill references existing law governing the 600-foot zone and uses the existing statutory definition of bona fide news organizations in La. Rev. Stat. 44.x (as cited by witnesses during the hearing). The sponsor said the change is intended to preserve the narrow exception historically recognized for news media while preventing what officials described as activist ‘‘push polling’’ inside the protected zone.","The House committee advanced Senate Bill 80 to define exit polling and restrict who may conduct polls inside the 600-foot no-electioneering zone, adopting an amendment and reporting the bill favorably as amended after public comment and debate over free-speech and enforcement concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves redrawing of 19th JDC elections into two subdistricts plus at-large seat; opponents cite racial and logistical concerns

Panel clears bill to create 'Louisiana Dividend' fund from excess mineral revenues

Committee backs broad rewrite of campaign finance law with new committee types and due-process changes

House panel splits 300- vs. 600-foot debate; bill to shrink campaign-free zone fails on tied vote

Committee narrows exit-polling rule, limits activity in 600-foot election zone