HB 73

HLS 26RS-231  ENGROSSED
 2026 Regular Session
 HOUSE BILL NO. 73
 BY REPRESENTATIVES BACALA AND JACKSON
 PUBLIC MEETINGS: Provides for the method of voting in public meetings
1AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 42:14(C), relative to voting in public meetings; to provide for
3voting by electronic voting machine; to provide for applicability; and to provide for
4related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6Section 1. R.S. 42:14(C) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7§14. Meetings of public bodies to be open to the public
8*       *  *
9C.(1) All votes made by members of a public body shall be viva voce and
10shall be recorded in the minutes, journal, or other official, written proceedings of the
11body, which shall be a public document.
12(2) For purposes of this Subsection, members of a public body may also vote
13by electronic voting machine that publicly displays how each member votes.
14*       *  *
15Section 2. The provisions of this Act shall be given prospective application only and
16 shall not apply to any litigation pending on the effective date of this Act.
  Page 1 of 2
 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
 are additions.
HLS 26RS-231  ENGROSSED
  HB NO. 73
  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 73 Engrossed  2026 Regular Session  Bacala
Abstract: Authorizes the use of electronic voting machines for purposes of voting in public
  meetings.
Present law provides that every meeting of any public body shall be open to the public unless
closed pursuant to a present law exception.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that all votes made by members of a public body in a public meeting
shall be viva voce and shall be recorded in the minutes, journal, or other official, written
proceedings of the body, which shall be a public document.
Proposed law retains present law and further provides that members of a public body may
also vote by electronic voting machine that publicly displays how each member votes.
Proposed law shall be given prospective application only and shall not apply to any pending
litigation.
(Amends R.S. 42:14(C))
  Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.