HB 146

HLS 26RS-403  ORIGINAL
 2026 Regular Session
 HOUSE BILL NO. 146
 BY REPRESENTATIVE SCHAMERHORN
 GAMING: Authorizes an election to allow sports wagering in Sabine Parish
1AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 18:1300.27, relative to sports wagering; to provide for an election in Sabine
3Parish to permit the operation of sports wagering; to provide for election outcomes;
4and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6Section 1. R.S. 18:1300.27 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7§1300.27. Sports wagering; local option election; Sabine Parish
8A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the governing
9authority of Sabine Parish is hereby authorized to call and conduct an election on a
10proposition to allow the operation of sports wagering within that parish.
11B.(1) The governing authority of Sabine Parish may call, by ordinance or
12resolution, an election on the proposition of whether the operation of sports
13wagering, as authorized by Chapter 10 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes
14of 1950, shall be permitted within that parish.
15(2) The ordinance or resolution shall specify the date of the election and the
16wording of the proposition to appear on the ballot.
17C.(1) An election called as provided by this Section may be held on any date
18as provided by R.S. 18:402(F), provided it falls more than forty-five days but not
19more than six months after the meeting at which the resolution or ordinance calling
20the election is adopted.
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 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
 are additions.
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  HB NO. 146
1(2) Except as provided in this Section, the election shall be held in
2accordance with the provisions of the Louisiana Election Code governing proposition
3elections. Any elector who was qualified to vote in the election may demand a
4recount of the ballots or contest the election in the manner and within the time
5provided by law for recount or contest of elections in accordance with the Louisiana
6Election Code.
7D.(1) If a majority of the electors voting in the election authorized pursuant
8to the provisions of this Section vote to permit the operation of sports wagering, then
9sports wagering may be conducted in Sabine Parish as provided by law.
10(2) If a majority of the electors voting in an election authorized pursuant to
11the provisions of this Section vote not to permit the operation of sports wagering in
12Sabine Parish, then no sports wagering shall be conducted in Sabine Parish.
13E. The governing authority of Sabine Parish shall promptly notify the
14Louisiana Gaming Control Board of the results of the election.
15F. The cost of the election provided for by this Section shall be borne by the
16governing authority of Sabine Parish.
17G. The election pursuant to this Section shall take place only 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 146 Original  2026 Regular Session  Schamerhorn
 Abstract: Authorizes the governing authority of Sabine Parish to hold an election on
  whether to permit sports wagering.
 Present law permits sports wagering in parishes that have elected to allow sports wagering
 within the parish. Provides that a parish must hold a referendum election and vote to
 approve certain forms of gaming before a law authorizing that form of gaming becomes
 effective in the parish.
 Proposed law retains present law.
 Proposed law authorizes the governing authority of Sabine Parish to hold an election on
 whether to permit sports wagering in the parish.
 Proposed law provides for the timing of the election, and requires the governing authority
 of Sabine Parish to notify the Louisiana Gaming Control Board of the results of the election.
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 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
 are additions.
HLS 26RS-403  ORIGINAL
  HB NO. 146
Proposed law provides that the election shall take place only once.
(Adds R.S. 18:1300.27)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.