House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes a redistricting of Louisiana's congressional districts by enacting R.S. 18:1276 and repealing R.S. 18:1276.1. The bill establishes six congressional districts based on the 2020 federal decennial census, ensuring that the population of each district is as equal as practicable to comply with the U.S. Constitution. It specifies that the precincts used for these districts are those contained in the "2026 Precinct Shapefiles" available on the Louisiana Legislature's website. The new district boundaries will take effect upon the governor's signature for the regular congressional elections in 2028, with full effectiveness for all other purposes starting at noon on January 3, 2029. Importantly, the bill ensures that the terms of office for current officials will not be reduced due to this redistricting.

In addition to the redistricting provisions, the bill includes amendments to existing legislation that clarify the roles and responsibilities of local officials and update processes for public meetings and record-keeping. It removes outdated legal language that may have caused confusion, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability within local government operations. By streamlining these provisions, the bill seeks to modernize legal frameworks to align with current best practices in governance, ultimately improving the functionality of local government entities to better serve their communities.

Statutes affected:
HB642 Original: