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Votes at a glance: committee advances HB 691 and reports several other measures
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Summary
The committee reported HB 691 favorably (9-7) after extended debate over requiring SAVE database checks. It also passed HB 908 (fees for Secretary of State business filings), reported HB 843 by substitute favorably, and reported HR 15 (memorializing Congress on the Save America Act) favorably (8-5).
House Bill 691 — report favorable (9–7) House Bill 691, which would require routine checks of the Louisiana voter registration file against the federal SAVE database and set a state process for investigating matches, was reported favorably after more than an hour of member questions and public testimony. Supporters cited the secretary of state’s review that identified what the office described as 403 noncitizen registrations and 130 ineligible votes since 2020. Opponents, including civil-rights groups, warned the integrated federal data can produce false positives and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. The committee voted 9 yeas, 7 nays.
House Bill 908 — adopted as amended Representative Mena presented HB 908, a measure adjusting certain Secretary of State fees for business services. A technical amendment was adopted with no objection and the committee passed the bill as amended.
House Bill 843 (substitute) — reported favorably Representative Boyd offered a substitute to HB 843 to add protections for survivors of sexual assault and other covered offenses within public-records law. The substitute was discussed, and the committee reported HB 843 favorably by substitute with no objection.
House Resolution 15 — reported favorable (8–5) Members also debated HR 15, a memorial that urges Congress to pass the federal Save America Act (a national documentary-proof-of-citizenship approach). Supporters argued voters broadly favor photo ID; opponents and civil-rights witnesses warned the federal requirements would create documentary burdens and could disenfranchise eligible voters. The committee recorded 8 yeas and 5 nays and reported the resolution favorably.
What to watch Lawmakers and staff indicated there could be follow-up requests for technical materials from the secretary of state’s office on SAVE matching procedures and safeguards, and several advocacy groups asked for additional hearings or delay if the state moves to a mandatory requirement.
