The Louisiana House of Representatives on Oct. 24 received a message from the Senate and, without objection, referred two Senate bills addressing the conduct and timing of 2026 elections to the House and Government Affairs Committee.

Yolanda Dixon, secretary of the Senate, told the House that Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 2 by Senator Klein Peter would change provisions related to the conduct of elections in 2026, including dates for spring elections, qualifying, nominating petitions and certain campaign finance disclosure deadlines. Senator Klein Peter’s bills also seek authorizations for the secretary of state and would set a special statewide election date of May 16, 2026, for submitting proposed constitutional amendments to voters.

Representative Beaulieu moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of referring Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 2 to committee; the motion was made and sustained "without objection," according to the House record. The House scheduled the House and Government Affairs Committee to meet Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 9 a.m. in Committee Room 6 to hear Senate Bills 1 and 2 and House bills 3, 4, 5 and HCR 1, Chair Beaulieu announced.

The House also received committee reports on two House bills related to election statute updates. House Bill 1 was reported from the House and Government Affairs Committee with amendments; the bill would enact a new part of law revising statutes on the conduct of elections in 2026, including spring election dates, qualifying rules, nominating petitions and campaign finance disclosure deadlines. House Bill 2 was reported favorably from the House and Government Affairs Committee; the bill would amend and reenact specified sections of acts from the 2025 regular session and repeal Act 2 12 of the 2025 regular session related to designated statewide elections for submitting proposed constitutional amendments, and would provide for a special statewide election on May 16, 2026.

Aside from the election measures, Representative Jordan introduced House Resolution GR 1 to adopt joint rules addressing time limits for consideration of certain redistricting plans; that resolution was presented for the record during the session.

The House concluded the morning session with a motion by Representative Thompson to adjourn until 1 p.m. the following day; the adjournment motion was carried "without objection."