House advances bills setting spring 2026 election procedures and a May 16, 2026 special election

The Louisiana House on Oct. 27, 2025, moved to expedite consideration of two Senate bills that would change how spring elections are scheduled and set procedures for submitting proposed constitutional amendments to voters.

Representative Beaulieu moved to suspend the rules to allow Senate Bill 1 to be considered the same day it was reported from committee. Representative Jordan objected and a roll-call on the floor included individual votes such as Bayham (yes) and Green (no). The clerk announced the result as "71 yays, 22 yays," and the motion was declared to carry. The clerk then read Senate Bill 1 by title; the bill description in the transcript says it would enact provisions in part of chapter 5 of Title 18 relating to conducting spring elections, qualifying for spring elections, nominating petitions, campaign finance disclosure, and filing deadlines for 2026, and would provide certain authorizations for the secretary of state.

Representative Beaulieu later moved to suspend the rules for Senate Bill 2 for the same-day consideration; the transcript records that the motion was approved "without objection." The clerk read Senate Bill 2 by title. The bill, as read on the floor, would amend and reenact multiple sections of acts from the 2025 regular session and provide for a special statewide election on May 16, 2026, to submit proposed constitutional amendments to the electors; it also sets procedures for the conduct and scheduling of that election.

Chairman Boleyn (on SB1) and Chairman Boyer (on SB2) moved to pass the bills to third reading; objections were recorded for at least one of those motions. The chamber later stood at ease for approximately five minutes as the House continued business.

Formal actions recorded in the transcript included motions to suspend the rules to advance each Senate bill and subsequent motions to pass them to third reading; the clerks read the bills by title on the floor. The transcript does not record final passage of either bill on the floor during the portion provided; next steps noted were the motions to move to third reading and temporary recesses.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the transcript): - Motion to suspend rules for Senate Bill 1: mover Representative Beaulieu; objector Representative Jordan; recorded roll-call included Bayham (yes), Green (no); clerk announced "71 yays, 22 yays" and declared the motion carried (transcript text preserved as read). - Motion to suspend rules for Senate Bill 2: mover Representative Beaulieu; approved "without objection" (no roll-call recorded in the provided transcript).

Why it matters: The bills would affect the scheduling and administration of spring elections, nomination and filing deadlines for 2026 and the timetable and procedures for submitting proposed constitutional amendments to voters in 2026, including a special statewide election on May 16, 2026, as described on the House floor.

What’s next: Both bills were moved toward third reading on Oct. 27. The transcript does not include final floor votes on the bills during the provided excerpt; further legislative action or recorded votes may appear in later minutes or sessions.