Self-affirmation; penalties

A. The self-affirmation on a petition shall state the following: "I state, under penalty of law, that to my knowledge and belief the facts stated in the petition are true, that my signature and name are as shown on this petition, and that I have signed this petition or have been duly authorized to sign this petition by the entity identified hereunder". B. A self-affirmation on a petition shall not be valid after one year has elapsed between the date of the self-affirmation as shown on the petition and the date the petition is filed with the tourist commission under R.S. 33:4600.4. C. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, a self-affirmation shall be presumed valid unless competent evidence to the contrary is presented to and accepted by the tourist commission manager or the tourist commissioner determines otherwise. D. If a person eligible to sign a petition is no longer capable of signing his name, such person may affirm by making a mark on the self-affirmation, with or without assistance, witnessed by the signature of another person. E. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to make a false statement on a self-affirmation on any petition filed under this Chapter. Any signature presented to the tourist commission shall serve as the equivalent of the business owner having been administered an oath or affirmation, acknowledging that the facts contained in the petition are true and correct to the best of his knowledge, subject to the penalties for perjury or false swearing. F. It shall be unlawful for any person to, by use of force or any other means, unduly influence a person to sign a petition or to not sign a petition, falsely make, alter, forge, or counterfeit any petition before or after it has been filed as provided in R.S. 33:4600.4, or to destroy, deface, mutilate, or tamper with any petition before or after it has been filed as provided in R.S. 33:4600.4.