Legislation Relevant to Louisiana Attorneys

The April 10th Edition of the Louisiana Bar Today notes that the LSBA's Legislation Committee met on April 2 and identified a number of bills as being of general interest to members of the Association. The LSBA has posted the list in pdf format. Naked Ownership has added links to the relevant legislation.

Senate Bill Summaries

SB105 sponsored by Chaisson
Provides for an increase in the nonrefundable civil filing fee that is credited to the Judges’ Supplemental Compensation Fund

SB118 sponsored by C Fields
Constitutional Amendment provides for nine Supreme Court districts

SB124 sponsored by C Fields
Creates the Louisiana Death Penalty Study Commission to study capital punishment in the state.

SB162 sponsored by C Fields
Constitutional Amendment to limit appellate jurisdiction of a court of appeal to questions of law

SB209 sponsored by Marionneaux
Constitutional Amendment to provide for the appellate jurisdiction of a court of appeal and to provide that appellate review extends only to questions of law.

SB218 sponsored by Marionneaux
Constitutional Amendment to provide that the term of a parish and city court judge shall be six years and the term of a district judge shall be ten years.

SB221 sponsored by Hainkel
Constitutional Amendment to provide for the selection and retention election of judges.

SB224 sponsored by Hainkel
Constitutional Amendment to authorize the legislature to limit damages related to rights affected by coastal wetland conservation, management, preservation, enhancement, creation, or restoration activities.

SB253 sponsored by Dardenne
Provides that any new court cost or fee, or increase in an existing court cost or fee, first be submitted to the Judicial Council for review and recommendation to the legislature

SB254 sponsored by Dardenne
Expands the venue of city courts

SB255 sponsored by Dardenne
Provides for the revival of money judgments by ex parte motion

SB284 sponsored by Dupre
Adds three additional judges to the First Circuit Court of Appeal

SB455 sponsored by Hainkel
Provides for the nomination and appointment of judges and for retention elections.

SB499 sponsored by Schedler
Provides for “thing of economic value” when solicited, accepted or received by a public servant from a person that conducts operations or activities regulated by the public servant’s agency

SB519 sponsored by C D Jones
Adds three additional judges for the First Circuit Court of Appeal

SB760 sponsored by C Romero
Provides relative to legal interest accruing on claims against the state

SB772 sponsored by C Fields
Adds three additional judges to the First Circuit Court of Appeal

SB804 sponsored by Johnson
Requires the operational cost of the state criminal justice system to be funded by the state and return surplus funds from special funds or accounts to the state general fund

SB881 sponsored by Malone
Provides for redistricting of the Louisiana Senate

House Bill Summaries

HB19 sponsored by Frith
Constitutional Amendment which allows judges attaining 70 years of age to complete term of office

HB28 sponsored by Frith
Permits a judge who attains the mandatory retirement age of 70 years to complete term of office and provides for retirement benefits for certain judges

HB86 sponsored by Murray
Constitutional Amendment prohibits a judge from remaining in office beyond 75th birthday

HB486 sponsored by Johns
Provides for limitations on jury trials

HB597 sponsored by Toomy
Provides for legislative approval of the Judicial Compensation Commission’s report on judicial salaries

HB661 sponsored by Bruneau
Constitutional Amendment provides for selection and retention election of judges

HB662 sponsored by Bruneau
Constitutional Amendment provides for qualifications of office for judges

HB729 sponsored by Johns
Provides scope of appellate review for claims against the state

HB738 sponsored by Baldone
Limits the general powers of non-attorney notaries public with respect to certain documents to be used in court

HB801 sponsored by Toomy
Requires the Judicial Council to adopt guidelines for the approval of the creation of new judgeships

HB855 sponsored by Bruneau
Creates the Louisiana Notary Public Examination and Standards Commission

HB857 sponsored by Farrar
Removes certain exemptions from prohibition against knowingly false statements and disclosure requirement, and requires “paid for by” disclosure for certain statements relative to a candidate

HB895 sponsored by Lancaster
Removes the exclusion of certain judicial seats from the definition of “major office” for purposes of the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act

HB935 sponsored by Broome
Provides for a reduction of court costs for grandparents seeking custodial rights of their grandchildren

HB946 sponsored by Johns
Provides relative to legal interest accruing on claims against the state

HB998 sponsored by Gallot
Changes the delays for filing a motion for summary judgment

HB1134 sponsored by Townsend
Provides for the application of the rate of judicial interest

HB1322 sponsored by Fruge
Provides for the right to a trial by jury

HB1676 sponsored by Kennard
The proposed legislation provides for public policy with respect to jury service, provides for waivers and postponements of petit jury service and provides for penalties for failure to serve on juries. The bill also establishes a Lengthy Trial Fund.

Posted by AJR at April 15, 2003 10:54 PM