This bill amends several sections of the Louisiana Campaign Finance Disclosure Act, specifically R.S. 18:1511.5, 1511.7, 1511.8(C), and 1511.11(A). Key changes include the authorization for the supervisory committee to file administrative proceedings instead of civil proceedings to collect civil penalties for violations, which will now be adjudicated by the Ethics Adjudicatory Board. The bill also allows respondents to remove these proceedings to the district court of their domicile, and it establishes that the Ethics Adjudicatory Board or district court will consider various factors when determining civil penalties. Additionally, the bill stipulates that judgments assessing civil penalties can be appealed and will become executory once appeal delays have expired.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the venue for actions related to violations of the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act, stating that such actions may only be removed to the parish of East Baton Rouge, while other actions must be brought in the parish of the offender's domicile. It also introduces a process for determining the relevance of certain accounts or records before they can be used in civil proceedings, ensuring confidentiality until a determination is made. Lastly, any action brought under this Chapter will take precedence on the district court docket over other actions, emphasizing the importance of timely enforcement of campaign finance laws.

Statutes affected:
HB675 Original: 18:8(C), 18:11(A)
HB675 Engrossed: 18:8(C), 18:11(A)
HB675 Enrolled: 18:8(C), 18:11(A)
HB675 Act 137: 18:8(C), 18:11(A)