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LouisianaHB 3102026 Regular SessionHouse

CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides for the reassignment of a defendant's case when the right to a jury trial has been waived

Sponsored By: Josh Carlson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary CAdministration of Criminal Justice

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Defendants face reassignment after waiving juries

Louisiana defendants can waive a jury trial as allowed by the state constitution. They must file a written motion in district court at least 45 days before the scheduled trial. The defendant must sign it, along with their lawyer unless the defendant has waived the right to a lawyer. In district courts with three or more judges handling criminal cases across divisions or sections, filing triggers immediate random reassignment. The case goes to one of the other judges handling criminal cases. Prosecutors can prevent reassignment by filing a written waiver within 10 days after being served notice of the defendant’s motion. If the jury waiver results in reassignment, filing it interrupts the time limits under Article 701, which start over.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Josh Carlson

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 99

Senate vote • 5/26/2026

Read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 11 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 27 • No: 11

House vote • 4/21/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 57, nays 36. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 57 • No: 36

House vote • 4/9/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 50, nays 49. Failed to pass, motion to reconsider pending.

Yes: 50 • No: 49

House vote • 4/1/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 9 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 541.

    5/29/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    5/29/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/28/2026House

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

    5/27/2026House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/27/2026Senate

  6. Rules suspended. Called from the Calendar.

    5/26/2026Senate

  7. Read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 11 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/26/2026Senate

  8. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    5/26/2026House

  9. Rules suspended.

    5/21/2026Senate

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

    5/21/2026Senate

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

    5/14/2026Senate

  12. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/13/2026Senate

  13. Reported favorably.

    5/12/2026Senate

  14. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

    4/27/2026Senate

  15. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    4/22/2026Senate

  16. Called from the calendar.

    4/21/2026House

  17. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 57, nays 36. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    4/21/2026House

  18. Called from the calendar.

    4/20/2026House

  19. Read by title, returned to the calendar.

    4/20/2026House

  20. Notice given.

    4/20/2026House

  21. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/21/2026.

    4/20/2026House

  22. Notice given.

    4/14/2026House

  23. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/20/2026.

    4/14/2026House

  24. Read by title, reconsidered, returned to the calendar, under the rules.

    4/13/2026House

  25. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 50, nays 49. Failed to pass, motion to reconsider pending.

    4/9/2026House

Bill Text

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