Committee gives secretary of state option to use invitation‑to‑negotiate for new voting system, shortens appeal timelines

The House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs on April 29 adopted a set of amendments to House Bill 577 and reported the measure favorably as amended. The bill, carried by Representative Desotel, would authorize the Secretary of State to use a procurement code option — an invitation to negotiate — when procuring a new statewide voting system. Committee members and the secretary’s office described the change as an additional procurement method that could help the state acquire a new, auditable voting system more quickly.

Committee members and witnesses said Louisiana’s current voting machines are aging and that the state has pursued the multi‑step procurement process required under Act 4 80 (2021). Secretary of State testimony summarized the work to date: the office completed risk‑based system standards under Act 4 80 and said it is prepared to issue the next procurement step. The committee heard detailed testimony about procurement mechanics, pilot testing, certification and the need for an auditable paper record.

Amendments adopted by the committee made numerous technical adjustments and shortened several administrative appeal and decision deadlines specific to this procurement from 14 days to seven days (for example, chief procurement officer and debarment appeal timelines). The amendment package also added a sunset clause: the expedited appeal timelines would be null and void after June 30, 2027, so the expedited schedule would apply only to this procurement window. Committee members said they reduced timelines to limit protracted litigation that could delay getting new equipment in the field.

The committee heard testimony both in favor and in opposition. Supporters, including the secretary of state’s office and some election commissioners, said the process remains public and that an invitation‑to‑negotiate does not eliminate public input, pilot testing or certification steps. Opponents, including representatives of press and election‑integrity groups, said an invitation‑to‑negotiate could reduce competitive transparency and urged caution; several witnesses also urged waiting for the federal Election Assistance Commission/DHS review of systems referenced in federal executive action.

Representative Desotel moved to adopt the amendments and to report the bill favorably; the committee adopted the amendment set and reported the bill by voice action. Committee staff said the amendment package largely reproduces procurement-code processes in the election code for clarity while carving out the shortened timelines and the sunset.