Lawmakers in the state House overwhelmingly approved House Bill 272 on Wednesday (May 10) that makes it easier to recall an elected official from office. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Paul Hollis, R-Covington, now moves to the Senate for further consideration. “My belief is that we need to enact this immediately and across the board,” Hollis said, in response to a question from Rep. Joe Stagni, R-Kenner, about delaying implementation if the bill becomes law. Following a debate that lasted about 10 minutes and an added amendment requiring recall organizers to state the reason for targeting an election official for removal, House members voted 70 to 27 in support of the bill.
Rep. Sam Jenkins, Jr., who sponsored the amendment without objection from Hollis, said it would calm concerns that lowering the number of signatures required would lead to an increase in “frivolous” recall efforts. “I think this amendment will bring balance,” Jenkins said.
Hollis’ bill would retain the 40 percent requirements for voting district with 1,000 registered voters or fewer. But it seeks to repeal the requirement that recall organizers must gather signatures from at least one-third of registered voters in districts with more than 1,000 voters.
Full Article: House passes bill Wednesday to make recall efforts easier | NOLA.com.