[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6210455,"mediaKeyId","3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc","parentId",3718997,"title","Senate committee advances bill requiring sworn complaints for ethics investigations, prompting debate over confidentiality","audioSeconds",449,"startMs",2556000,"endMs",3005000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc&start=2556&end=3005","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc/thumbnail_2556000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210455/Louisiana/Senate-committee-advances-bill-requiring-sworn-complaints-for-ethics-investigations-prompting-debate-over-confidentiality","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210455-f92248cd6518068d95c4d3753cf61a84/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644902&Signature=iK8tkeZRuT5XPfzZV1U4YvJBUrxEkMQbiTZlTfQ9pqwqIdrA~4TLh-i-vbTpiTMj9BJ60yeo6xOLAkjzHVK175F1VEmHJs7e39eM4YBMnHpL0IEIuLG-jrQ1BlKianU3B4sUZ7MRwGIKZA41gYMyVGWwXhxyheQ9gUk39XbFCupVOtuFcD8-R1CBSR8fQesKIEGCgiklsYvEV75vfvU08J3gHysJT3PeMX9zfGp0LQUUb78uALPqPOdSeXOaXefetYAMjpi4fQ-OEZrXDpbrESiewoSZ0s0ApT4QGXgmPFLxl1hsBFFz4XLZYG1XN8MPapc05Rk1N9SGixoKIOpFdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-06-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs voted June 4 to report HB 160 favorably, a measure by Representative Dickerson that would require a sworn (notarized) complaint before the Louisiana Board of Ethics may open an investigation.

Representative Dickerson said the amendment is intended to prevent \"spur-of-the-moment\" or retaliatory filings and to give respondents clearer information about their accusers. He told the committee the bill was amended in the House to add a retaliation clause and to limit administrative agencies' ability to file complaints without restrictions.

\"Once a complaint is filed, basically, the legal fees begin on your part,\" Dickerson said, explaining the practical toll of an unverified complaint and the benefit he believes notarization would provide to respondents.

David Bordelon, the ethics administrator, opposed the measure in committee testimony. Bordelon said the existing process allows staff to screen complaints and that disclosure of a complainant's identity before an investigation begins could \"intimidate a witness or potentially alter information that's requested.\" He compared the investigative phase to a grand jury process and pointed to recent changes in campaign-finance confidentiality that the Legislature had enacted to protect sources.

Opponents, including the Public Affairs Research Council and other civic groups, said the requirement to file in person or to obtain a notarized sworn statement and the potential need to sue for retaliation would create costs and practical barriers that would discourage well-meaning citizens from filing legitimate complaints.

Supporters, including municipal elected officials and some former officeholders, argued the change would reduce frivolous, politically motivated filings and protect respondents and their families from prolonged stigma and leaked allegations.

After debate and a roll-call procedure, the committee reported HB 160 favorably. The record shows objections were raised during the motion, and committee members debated confidentiality, due process and the potential chilling effect on complaints.

Why it matters: The bill would change how ethics complaints are initiated in Louisiana by making sworn, notarized complaints mandatory to prompt an investigation. Proponents say the requirement will guard against frivolous accusations and reduce personal costs to respondents. Opponents say the requirement will deter whistleblowers and ordinary citizens from reporting misconduct because of added cost, travel and fear of retaliation.

What to watch next: HB 160 now advances to the full Senate. Legislators and stakeholders are likely to raise additional amendments or clarifications about confidentiality, retaliation remedies, and methods that allow remote or accessible filing while preserving protections for respondents and complainants.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate & Governmental Affairs- June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs voted June 4 to report HB 160 favorably, a bill that would require complaints to the Louisiana Board of Ethics to be sworn (notarized) before an investigation may begin.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210458,"Senate committee backs moving GOSEP day-to-day operations under the Adjutant General",318,1633000,1951000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc&start=1633&end=1951","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc/thumbnail_1633000.jpg","/articles/6210458/Louisiana/Senate-committee-backs-moving-GOSEP-day-to-day-operations-under-the-Adjutant-General","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210458-2bed0738b5bd22be8db3245c6bd01097/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644902&Signature=cLtbDZkG1kESqKwfykoW7T584zAr2~xdT1OPxRa2OGKjqw8A8scS6HwCXWO3NpTi9WKLsnYRwdvC1sWuxMXyMx7FcoTtLNbIRdZGpKf7grpxzKgf8QYwcZSJyKHrIb5HcptrLsDqPbOGtk0UjNJFeF4Opwbz0OvzaXZhKBxbm879Qr7eTM2l4LlO~BLaFy2YoaGcL0-GQzoeGY3y5zQI2YrZV-rNVM7g2Lb7B7XMLluXw-QSWFYXACw56mEayu3FTAxnmNP1VoPPh8bczPDpZQAgC~CyujUoyb-z~1DAOdImfOWY3KfyUGezupRfeYxyL7OlG0sCXdpNnDfEqUnEiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs voted June 4 to report HB 274 favorably, a bill requested by the governor that restructures the day-to-day reporting relationship of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSEP).

The measure shifts daily operational control of GOSEP to the Adjutant General and the Louisiana National Guard while preserving strategic oversight for the governor's office, supporters said.

\"This removes reflects our commitment to efficiency, effectiveness and ensuring our state's emergency preparedness remains at the highest standard,\" Adjutant General Thomas Freeloo told the committee as he explained that Brig. Gen. Jason Matthews was managing daily operations as interim director. Freeloo said the change will focus his role on strategic oversight such as fiscal review and contracting support.

Brig. Gen. Jason Mafous (transcript: \"Mafous\") described an assessment that began March 20. He said GOSEP remains committed to its mission during transition; operations and points of contact will remain consistent through the hurricane season. He also reported ongoing exercises, contract reviews, and that 19 disaster declarations remain open, one of which involves roughly $300 million in unfinished public-works work in New Orleans.

\"We have nearly completed our staff assessments. The audit reviews are current and ongoing. Contract reviews, renewals and new lines of effort for RFPs continue,\" Mafous said. He told the committee that, across existing declarations, there are thousands of open projects and a federal obligation totaling roughly $24.7 billion.

Local officials and associations including the Police Jury Association, the Louisiana Sheriff's Association and municipal leaders testified in support, saying improved coordination and logistics capacity under the National Guard could strengthen response and asset tracking.

Lawmakers pressed for clarity about continuity of contact and whether operational changes would be visible to parishes during the hurricane season. Both generals emphasized no major operational changes would occur until after hurricane season and that communication with local governments would continue.

The committee reported the bill favorably on a motion with no recorded objections. Supporters said the transition aims to speed logistics and unify emergency resource management across the state while maintaining transparency and lines of reporting to the Legislature and local partners.

","The committee reported HB 274 favorably after lawmakers heard from the Adjutant General and GOSEP leadership that day-to-day operations will report to the Louisiana National Guard, with strategic oversight retained by the governor's office and no anticipated operational disruptions this hurricane season.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210463,"Senate committee approves redistricting plan for 19th JDC in East Baton Rouge",577,566000,1143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc&start=566&end=1143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc/thumbnail_566000.jpg","/articles/6210463/Louisiana/Senate-committee-approves-redistricting-plan-for-19th-JDC-in-East-Baton-Rouge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210463-ea6f48ccb06c4ae8ebbf3d45e136ade1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644903&Signature=cJqLD7G1S1fCcIbxoOJmIT8Can8g~OuebphFmO5h7PcvifBdW94jW32Qg9V9LpEjn7ZXNA-rywzFVEet8N7mluImYG94RhzwIdRnPU6~ZO82oZ8BBFpI0Ka~0DuZaf9oFXMwgYf9OrghivHSWbU~OSdUKVq6qo76xOQCnJyuMhJF2SWbKFhwwfLl2XkrTzbUCIYVjUl5jFTOK0yhwL-~GW5dIlU6j4~WWo1XVWzIUDV9c3plSp~vHqr-JobA5h06wRRZBgQyyyU~qLSLEQPKDggsGkXUCa-HiPqV2OP-5D1pC6RUgbDC-5wTReEmqEoG6M~TMM5xZxRBPbYIXKMc0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs voted June 4 to report HB 124 favorably, a bill that would redraw subdistricts for the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Supporters and expert witnesses told the committee the current judicial subdistrict map had not been updated in more than 30 years and now contains large population disparities among the three subdistricts.

\"You have a considerable population disparity that has not been addressed or adjusted in over 30 years,\" pollster John Cuvion told the committee while describing census-based counts for each subdistrict. Cuvion said the proposed plan creates two subdistricts that would each elect seven judges and one judge elected at large so that the 15-judge court better reflects current population distributions.

Cuvion presented 2020 Census-era figures showing stark differences: a more central district with roughly 93,834 residents, a north-centered district with about 153,811 residents, and a south-centered district with about 209,136 residents. Supporters argued the 7-7-in-1 configuration reduces deviation to roughly 1.5% and would minimize displacement of sitting judges.

Chief Judge Don Johnson of the 19th JDC testified about the court's history of subdistricts created after litigation in the early 1990s to ensure minority representation. \"We believe in equal representation,\" Johnson said, but he warned that changing subdistricts in one court while leaving family court and appellate panels unchanged could raise equity concerns.

Committee members asked whether the redistricting would force current judges into contested races or cause displacement. Supporters and the bill's sponsor said the statute is drafted to avoid immediate displacement and that sitting judges likely would not have to run against one another in 2026 elections.

After discussion, the committee reported HB 124 favorably with no recorded objections. The measure will proceed in the legislative process.

Why it matters: Judicial subdistrict lines determine where judges run for election and can affect representation on multi-judge benches. Supporters said the update addresses demographic shifts in East Baton Rouge Parish and reduces population deviation among subdistricts; some speakers warned about consistency with other judicial and family court districts.

What to watch next: The bill will move to the Senate floor. Opponents or affected stakeholders could seek further adjustments as the proposal moves through subsequent committee and floor action.

","Lawmakers advanced HB 124 to redraw judicial subdistricts in East Baton Rouge Parish, moving the 19th Judicial District Court from three malapportioned subdistricts toward a 7-7-1 configuration to address population shifts and racial balance concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210468,"Senate panel approves resolution to remove sentence from voting-system certification rules",112,155000,267000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc&start=155&end=267","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc/thumbnail_155000.jpg","/articles/6210468/Louisiana/Senate-panel-approves-resolution-to-remove-sentence-from-voting-system-certification-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210468-c4c1695ef225bbb0350bd286a9de0a77/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644903&Signature=gn~7w0HrcM54yl-6VCJc0HyRtnqHFzAA~nfjEkwplhV8crSlzFh7-1fFgDBuHK01vAx899PNJ8ucTIi3jS1D4RAU90BI0lqsNvJBnMV697UvE~ZLXPXNRHqCWUA~gqSgSYkwOagJs89k5~qaOqBSCXVe8UIRLspXrvd9dyU~VXLilDbblv7qZGhRcoS31brJZbC1hb1ETACPhLMRjrIn3PEIgVZEa4JEBvuCIBOi2TJII681lT1ODXlzNdGFZpJtgxWKJOfstodTgZGjh7alLNqsmD71QP5v4ZSF-R8tklhScVWgAOnnmGAyQycLMP0~oaf2EAhRuqr2QufpBCwYyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs voted June 4 to report HCR 1 favorably, a resolution that would repeal a sentence in administrative rules governing certification of the state's voting system standards.

Supporters said the change removes a potential legal barrier and preserves competition as vendors work toward Election Assistance Commission (EAC) certification.

\"HCR 1 repeals a provision within the administrative rule relative to certification of the new voting system,\" Representative McMakin said during the committee hearing. Secretary of State Nancy Landry told the panel the revision is narrow: it removes one sentence from the final standards published under the Administrative Procedure Act.

\"In 2021, the legislature passed Act 480. . . it reformed how Louisiana's voting system procurement process works,\" Landry told the committee. She said the office used the APA to promulgate system standards and that the requested change would \"ensure that we don't limit competition\" as vendors pursue EAC certification.

Committee members questioned the APA mechanics and whether the resolution substitutes for the APA rulemaking process. Representative McMakin and Secretary Landry explained the resolution is an alternative way to satisfy the APA process while the Legislature is in session, allowing the committee-level hearings to serve as the public input opportunity.

There were no recorded objections when the committee chair moved to report HCR 1 favorably; the measure advanced out of committee for further consideration.

Why it matters: The change is procedural but time sensitive for Louisiana's procurement timeline. Supporters said leaving the sentence in the rule could reduce competition and delay the procurement process while vendors seek federal certification. The committee's action preserves the shorter legislative pathway for finalizing the standards during the current session.

What to watch next: HCR 1 will continue through the legislative process; any future changes to the standards or procurement timeline would depend on subsequent floor action or administrative rulemaking.

","The Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs voted to report HCR 1 favorably after the secretary of state and supporters said deleting a single sentence in administrative voting-system standards will protect competition as vendors pursue federal certification.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210448,"Senate committee advances wide-ranging campaign finance overhaul after lawmakers adopt amendments",754,4370000,5124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc&start=4370&end=5124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3718997-4248ce0b1a61adb3e41d6cbf5df91efc/thumbnail_4370000.jpg","/articles/6210448/Louisiana/Senate-committee-advances-wide-ranging-campaign-finance-overhaul-after-lawmakers-adopt-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210448-946a9d7fc7586aee422b8f406b2abc9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644903&Signature=PN9hY0WqtxNEVCIgXBzYyTPH~ZEdAvZpcLr2vpNbWZb6SJhC63foVIoKrK4kTu7zYUjSflQij5Cj9METMojN0b~1vk2wiwjBQE87jjLKLflg4kPbn3jFChz-Q0DC3zxeCOq~p~hnxPISy7m0bW9i4uweKweoC1tpSUHBww5PcrMX4Cz8tANnICO9BEYvvKcCb4JHCWbo8sOV2D4WKIMyS9WQAE5L2FwJb3RMgPsTPi-zRKM1LQenfn5~Kh5f9S4svJKqgtPoDJSSLVID9VE9vFhyjV~1HfGloJ1tzWZPdrj0hjlCIrgqlENK89uRWllQUlM23BwBKdzAsCku-ZloEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs on June 4 voted to report HB 693 (substitute), a comprehensive rewrite of campaign finance and related ethics procedures, after lawmakers and stakeholders negotiated multiple amendments to refine reporting thresholds, allowable expenditures and investigatory procedures.

Sponsor Representative Wright and other authors said the bill largely codifies longstanding advisory opinions and brings campaign-finance law into \"the 21st century,\" clarifying leadership political action committees, joint fundraising committees and permitted uses of campaign funds.

Key changes adopted in committee included raising certain disclosure thresholds (one example: increasing a previously discussed $500 reporting threshold to $1,000 for some advertising expenditures) and removing overly prescriptive itemizations that could disproportionately affect small local campaigns. The committee adopted language that clarifies when expenditures are presumed to be for personal use and establishes a presumption mechanism requiring a preponderance-of-the-evidence showing to rebut that presumption in some contexts.

David Bordelon, ethics administrator, told the committee the Board of Ethics had submitted technical comments and raised concerns about implementation. He urged that forms and IT changes would require additional administrative capacity and noted the board's small staff creates timing constraints to implement new disclosure and reporting systems. The board indicated a reporting effective date tied to the 2026 reporting cycle may be appropriate to allow form and system updates.

Supporters including attorneys, campaign professionals and some legislative counsel argued the bill provides clearer rules for candidates and committees and adds procedural protections similar to those adopted recently in ethics-administration reforms. Opponents cautioned that timing, administrative staffing and the complexity of new entities such as leadership PACs would require closer work on rules and forms before full implementation.

The committee adopted an author's amendment (MEMSAT 2774) that removed some specific listing requirements and improved clarity about expenditures that are presumed personal use, while keeping a higher-level framework for permitted campaign expenses.

The committee reported the bill as amended; sponsors said they will continue to work with the board and other stakeholders as the measure heads to the Senate floor.

","The committee reported HB 693 (substitute) with multiple amendments that modernize campaign finance reporting, clarify allowable expenditures, and add procedural protections for respondents. Supporters said the package brings Louisiana law up to modern norms; critics urged care on timing and implementation details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee advances bill requiring sworn complaints for ethics investigations, prompting debate over confidentiality

Senate committee backs moving GOSEP day-to-day operations under the Adjutant General

Senate committee approves redistricting plan for 19th JDC in East Baton Rouge

Senate panel approves resolution to remove sentence from voting-system certification rules

Senate committee advances wide-ranging campaign finance overhaul after lawmakers adopt amendments