Louisiana House committee approves data collection amendment on campaign finance reports

The House Judiciary Committee of the Louisiana Legislature convened on May 29, 2025, to discuss a two-part resolution concerning the collection of public records related to financial reporting and campaign finance. The meeting focused on ensuring the accuracy of language in the resolution and the logistics of gathering data that is already publicly available.

The resolution, which originated from the Speaker of the House, aims to compile financial reports from justices of the peace and constables across the state. The committee discussed the necessity of this data collection, with representatives emphasizing that the information is already accessible to the public. Constable James LeBlanc, who represents 390 justices of the peace and 400 constables, voiced concerns about the volume of paperwork involved, which initially was estimated at over 567,000 pieces but was later reduced to 81,000. He argued that the data could be obtained directly without the need for a formal resolution.

The committee adopted an amendment to the resolution, which clarified that the Board of Ethics and the auditor's office would be responsible for gathering the data in a digital format, specifically as PDF documents. This approach aims to streamline the process and reduce the burden on justices of the peace and constables, who are already required to file annual ethics reports.

During the discussions, several committee members raised questions about the practicality of the data collection and the responsibilities involved. It was confirmed that the data would be submitted to the Speaker of the House, who initiated the request. The committee ultimately voted in favor of the resolution, with a tally of seven votes for and five against, allowing the bill to move forward.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, indicating that the committee may not reconvene soon. The resolution's passage signifies a step towards enhanced transparency in campaign finance and financial reporting within Louisiana's judicial system.