This bill amends Louisiana's election law to improve the procurement process for voting systems and their components. It replaces the term "solicitation of bids" with "procurement and use" and introduces new procurement methods, including "competitive sealed proposals" and "invitations to negotiate." The legislation establishes the Voting System Commission and the Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee, detailing their roles in overseeing the procurement process. Additionally, it mandates that all voting systems must be certified according to standards set by the United States Election Assistance Commission, thereby ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

The bill also addresses legal and contractual remedies related to procurement, outlining the process for protesting solicitations and contract awards. It grants the chief procurement officer the authority to resolve disputes before they escalate to court and specifies grounds for debarment and suspension of contractors. Furthermore, it establishes a finality clause for procurement officer decisions, allowing appeals only under certain conditions, and designates the Nineteenth Judicial District Court as the exclusive venue for related actions. The bill aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and timely resolution of disputes in the procurement process, with provisions set to nullify after June 30, 2027.

Statutes affected:
HB577 Original: 18:1361(A), 18:1362(A)(1), 18:1(I)(1), 18:2(A)
HB577 Engrossed: 18:1361(A), 18:1362(A)(1), 18:1(I)(1), 18:2(A)
HB577 Enrolled: 18:1361(A), 18:1362(A)(1), 18:1(I)(1), 18:2(A)
HB577 Act : 18:1361(A), 18:1362(A)(1), 18:1(I)(1), 18:2(A)