Senate Bill No. by Senator Pressly enacts a new provision, R.S. 18:1403.1, which establishes requirements for the appointment of an ad hoc judge in election-related contests and challenges. Specifically, the bill mandates that when there is an objection to the candidacy of an individual for local or municipal office, a contest regarding a local or municipal election, or a challenge to the certification of a recall petition for a public officer in a local or municipal capacity, the Louisiana Supreme Court must appoint an ad hoc judge from a different judicial district. This ad hoc judge must be either a current judge or a retired judge from a judicial district that is not adjacent to the district where the action was initiated.

The bill aims to ensure impartiality in the adjudication of election contests by requiring judges from non-adjacent districts to preside over such matters. This provision is intended to enhance the integrity of the electoral process at the local level by minimizing potential biases that could arise from judges presiding over cases within their own judicial districts. The act will take effect upon the governor's signature or, if not signed, after the designated time for bills to become law without signature.