HB 847: DISTRICTS/WATER CONSERVN: Provides for the election, duties, and requirements of district supervisors of the soil and water conservation commission (EN DECREASE LF EX See Note) - Louisiana

HB847 Original → HB847 Act · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts the oversight of district supervisor elections from the local commission to the Secretary of State, ensuring a standardized and independent election process. It also updates the rules for how supervisors are elected, including specific dates for elections and stricter attendance requirements to maintain their positions. Additionally, the bill clarifies the procedures for filling vacancies and allows for the removal of supervisors for neglect of duty or malfeasance.

Scope change

The scope of election administration expanded from local commission control to state-level oversight by the Secretary of State, while the applicability of attendance and removal rules remains consistent for all district supervisors.

REQUIREMENT

Election administration was transferred from the local commission to the Secretary of State, who will now supervise the process and publish results.

Supervisors must attend at least 66.67% of scheduled district meetings within a twelve-month period to remain eligible for reappointment or reelection, with a waiver option for good cause.

Vacancies in supervisor positions must now be filled by an election held on the second Saturday in June following the expiration of the term.

TIMELINE

Elections for district supervisors are now set to occur annually on the second Saturday in June, with terms beginning on July 1st.

ENFORCEMENT

A new provision allows the commission to remove a supervisor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office after a notice and hearing.

HB847 Enrolled → HB847 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the election process for soil and water conservation district supervisors by shifting oversight from the commission to the Secretary of State. It clarifies that petitions must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters within the district and establishes specific rules for how ballots are printed and votes are counted. The changes also adjust the timing of elections and the requirements for supervisors to remain eligible for re-election.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on soil and water conservation districts, but the administrative authority for conducting elections has shifted from the commission to the Secretary of State.

ENFORCEMENT

Election oversight and administration are transferred from the state commission to the Secretary of State.

REQUIREMENT

The text clarifies that nominating petitions must be subscribed by at least 25 qualified voters residing within the specific district.

Ballot instructions are updated to specify that voters must mark an 'X' in squares next to up to three candidates.

Re-election eligibility now requires supervisors to attend at least 66.67% of scheduled district meetings within a twelve-month period.

TIMELINE

Election dates are standardized to the second Saturday in June, with terms beginning on July 1st.

HB847 Reengrossed → HB847 Enrolled · 5 edits · May 13, 2026

MODERATE

The bill transitions the election of soil and water conservation district supervisors from internal commission management to the Secretary of State, treating the process as a private election. It updates the election schedule to a fixed date in June, clarifies that all qualified state voters can vote regardless of district residency, and establishes new attendance requirements for supervisors to remain eligible for re-election.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the election process by involving the Secretary of State and changes the voter eligibility from district-specific residents to all qualified voters within the state who are eligible to vote under state law.

REQUIREMENT

Election oversight is transferred from the commission to the Secretary of State, who now supervises the election, pays expenses, and publishes results.

A new attendance requirement mandates that supervisors must attend at least 66.67% of scheduled district meetings within a twelve-month period to qualify for re-election or reappointment.

TIMELINE

Elections are now held on a fixed schedule (second Saturday in June) rather than being held throughout the state at unspecified times.

ELIGIBILITY

Voter eligibility is expanded to include all qualified voters in the state, removing the previous restriction that only voters within the specific district could vote.

ENFORCEMENT

A removal mechanism is added, allowing the commission to remove a supervisor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office after notice and a hearing.

HB847 Engrossed → HB847 Reengrossed · 3 edits · May 12, 2026

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to correct a drafting error where the term 'state soil and water conservation' was shortened to 'soil and water conservation' in the bill's purpose statement. Additionally, the text was reorganized to insert a new section regarding the annual election of supervisors and to adjust the formatting of existing sections on appointment and qualifications.

REQUIREMENT

Corrected the purpose statement to explicitly include 'state' before 'soil and water conservation commission'.

Reordered the text to introduce a new provision stating that three elected supervisors are chosen annually on the second Saturday in June.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted line breaks and section headers to properly integrate the new election provisions with existing appointment rules.

DISTRICTS/WATER CONSERVN: Provides for the election, duties, and requirements of district supervisors of the soil and water conservation commission (EN DECREASE LF EX See Note)

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