§1362.2. Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee; membership; duties

            A. The Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee is created and established within the Department of State for the purpose of independently reviewing any proposals or responses to an invitation to negotiate received by the secretary of state in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:1362.1.

            B.(1) The Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee shall be comprised of the following members:

            (a) A faculty member of a Louisiana postsecondary education institution with engineering or computer science expertise.

            (b) A member of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association.

            (c) An individual with at least five years of experience with training or education in electronic voting systems and procedures and election security.

            (d) A member of the Louisiana Registrars of Voters Association.

            (e) A representative from the office of the secretary of state who did not serve as member of the Voting System Commission.

            (2) Committee members shall be appointed by the secretary of state and shall serve without compensation.

            C. The committee shall investigate and publicly test the voting systems proposed by potential vendors and may utilize subject matter experts to assist in the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, the committee shall evaluate each proposal or response to an invitation to negotiate according to the procurement criteria, which shall ensure that all proposals or responses to an invitation to negotiate are evaluated in a fair and balanced manner and provide equal consideration for all potential vendors without exception. The committee shall make a recommendation and notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall then make a recommendation and submit the proposal to the chief procurement officer for subsequent review, approval, or further inquiry in accordance with the Louisiana Procurement Code.

            D. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, nothing in this Section shall alter or negate the provisions and requirements of the Louisiana Procurement Code.

            Acts 2021, No. 480, §1, eff. July 1, 2021; Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.