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LouisianaHB 12522026 Regular SessionHouse

COURTS: Provides relative to the city court system in Avoyelles Parish (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)

Sponsored By: Daryl Andrew Deshotel (Republican)

Became Law

Judiciary B

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Avoyelles city courts hear more cases

Expanded court authority applies to cases filed on or after January 1, 2027. Bunkie City Court covers Avoyelles Parish wards 7–10; Marksville City Court covers Marksville and wards 1–6 and 11. Both courts have small claims divisions. Both share authority with the Twelfth Judicial District Court over misdemeanors, juvenile matters, and civil disputes under $50,000. Cases filed before January 1, 2027, stay in the courts where they were filed.

Avoyelles voters choose city court leaders

Qualified voters in wards 7–10 elect the Bunkie city judge and marshal. Qualified voters in wards 1–6 and 11 elect the Marksville city judge and marshal. These elections take place at the congressional general election on November 3, 2026, and every six years afterward.

Marksville court manages money and technology

The Marksville city judge or designated officers control collected fines, forfeitures, penalties, and costs. Collections other than costs go to the town treasury for town prosecutions and the parish treasury for state or parish prosecutions. The judge can study online fine payments and virtual court appearances, or seek grants for those services. Study expenses can use the court’s criminal fund only with approval from both city and parish governing authorities. The law does not require online services to start.

Higher court costs for Marksville cases

Marksville City Court’s judge can charge up to $20 per criminal case, including traffic violations, instead of $8. This court cost is separate from any fine or other penalty. The maximum additional civil court cost rises from $10 to $20 per case, unless another law provides otherwise. That civil charge is on top of other costs or fees. The judge can charge less than these maximums or nothing.

Marksville gains appeals, replaces local courts

The law abolishes Ward 2's justice of the peace and constable offices, replacing them with Marksville City Court. Ward 2 also has no separate mayor’s court; Marksville City Court has a judge, marshal, and clerk. Justice of the peace and constable courts in wards 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 work with Marksville City Court. Appealable cases from those justice of the peace courts can go to Marksville City Court for review. Appeals must be recorded and follow Louisiana’s civil appeal procedures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Daryl Andrew Deshotel

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 374 • No: 0

House vote • 6/1/2026

Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. Having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, the Conference Committee Report was adopted.

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/1/2026

Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 5/31/2026

Read by title, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. The Senate amendments, not having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were rejected. Conference committee appointment pending.

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/28/2026

The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 5/7/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 96 • No: 0

House vote • 5/5/2026

Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 1165 reported by the Committee on Judiciary

Yes: 17 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Becomes Act No. 972 without the Governor's signature.

    6/25/2026House

  2. Effective date: 06/25/2026.

    6/25/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    6/4/2026House

  4. Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.

    6/1/2026Senate

  5. Conference Committee report received.

    6/1/2026House

  6. Rules suspended.

    6/1/2026House

  7. Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. Having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, the Conference Committee Report was adopted.

    6/1/2026House

  8. Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.

    6/1/2026Senate

  9. Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.

    6/1/2026Senate

  10. Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.

    6/1/2026House

  11. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    6/1/2026House

  12. Signed by the President of the Senate on 6/2/2026.

    6/1/2026Senate

  13. Read by title, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. The Senate amendments, not having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were rejected. Conference committee appointment pending.

    5/31/2026House

  14. House conferees appointed: Deshotel, Robby Carter, and Beaullieu.

    5/31/2026House

  15. Notice House rejected the Senate amendments.

    5/31/2026Senate

  16. Senate conference committee members appointed: Reese, Talbot, and Harris.

    5/31/2026Senate

  17. Notice of Senate conferees appointed.

    5/31/2026House

  18. Received from the Senate with amendments.

    5/29/2026House

  19. Scheduled for concurrence on 05/31/2026.

    5/29/2026House

  20. Called from the Calendar.

    5/28/2026Senate

  21. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/28/2026Senate

  22. Rules suspended.

    5/26/2026Senate

  23. Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.

    5/26/2026Senate

  24. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    5/20/2026Senate

  25. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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