House Bill No. by Representative Bayham amends the qualifying fees and requirements for candidates in Louisiana elections. The bill increases the qualifying fees for various state offices, raising the fee for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, and commissioner of insurance from $750 to $2,500. Additionally, the fee for a United States senator is increased to $3,500, while the fee for a United States representative is set at $1,500. Other state candidates will have a qualifying fee of $600, and justices of the supreme court, judges of a court of appeal, and members of the public service commission will pay $450.

The bill also modifies the requirements for nominating petitions. The number of signatures required for candidates running for statewide office is reduced from 5,000 to 2,500, with at least 250 signatures needed from each congressional district. For candidates seeking to become United States Representatives, the required signatures are adjusted from 1,000 to 750 within their respective districts. These changes aim to streamline the qualifying process for candidates and make it more accessible.

Statutes affected:
HB342 Original: 18:5(A), 18:464(B)(1), 18:465(C)(1)
HB342 Engrossed: 18:5(A), 18:464(B)(1), 18:465(C)(1)
HB342 Reengrossed: 18:5(A), 18:464(B)(1), 18:465(C)(1)
HB342 Enrolled: 18:464(B)(1), 18:465(C)(1)