All Roll Calls
Yes: 245 • No: 1
LouisianaHB 6442025 Regular SessionHouse
COURTS/COURT COSTS: Provides for the assessment of a fee for filing civil and criminal matters (EN +$694,384 SG RV See Note)
Sponsored By: Chad Brown
Signed by Governor
FinanceJudiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Court fees fund judicial training and ethics
Court-fee collections go into a dedicated account and are sent monthly to the Louisiana Supreme Court in its required format. One-third is reserved solely for Judicial College growth and program improvements. The remaining two-thirds supports joint Judicial College–Judiciary Commission education on judicial ethics and court best practices, as the court directs. That share can also cover Judiciary Commission expenses for ethics education, investigations, or enforcement. The Supreme Court must audit the funds annually and file the audit with the Legislative Auditor for public inspection.
Higher court costs after criminal convictions
Beginning January 1, 2026, the special court cost after a qualifying conviction rises from $0.50 to $2.50. It applies to felonies, misdemeanors, and local ordinance violations, including traffic offenses. The charge applies across Louisiana courts, including mayor's and magistrate courts. Courts cannot collect the higher charge without Judicial Council approval and its recommendation that the charge meets applicable guidelines.
Higher filing fees for civil cases
Beginning January 1, 2026, the initial civil filing charge rises from $0.50 to $2.50 for each party liable for court costs. This is a $2 increase, not the total filing bill. It covers Louisiana's supreme, appellate, district, family, juvenile, parish, and city courts. Courts cannot collect the higher charge without Judicial Council approval and its recommendation that the charge meets applicable guidelines.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chad Brown
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/9/2025
Read by title, roll called, yeas 101, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.
Yes: 101 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/8/2025
Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 1 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
Yes: 37 • No: 1
House vote • 5/28/2025
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
Yes: 93 • No: 0
House vote • 5/22/2025
Reported with amendments
Yes: 14 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 299.
6/11/2025HouseEffective date: See Act.
6/11/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate.
6/10/2025SenateSent to the Governor for executive approval.
6/10/2025HouseRead by title, roll called, yeas 101, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.
6/9/2025HouseEnrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
6/9/2025HouseRules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 1 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
6/8/2025SenateReceived from the Senate with amendments.
6/8/2025HouseScheduled for concurrence on 06/09/2025.
6/8/2025HouseReported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
6/4/2025SenateReported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
6/4/2025SenateRead second time by title and referred to the Committee on Finance.
5/29/2025SenateRead third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
5/28/2025HouseReceived in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
5/28/2025SenateRead by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
5/27/2025HouseScheduled for floor debate on 05/28/2025.
5/27/2025HouseReported with amendments (14-0).
5/22/2025HouseRead by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
4/23/2025HouseRead by title. Lies over under the rules.
4/22/2025House
Bill Text
Enacted
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
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