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LouisianaSB 2172026 Regular SessionSenate

COURTS: Provides for the administration of courts in Orleans Parish and the number of court judges. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

Sponsored By: John C. "Jay" Morris (Republican)

Signed by Governor

JudiciaryJudiciary A

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

New Orleans city courts hear larger claims

New Orleans' First and Second City Courts can hear civil disputes worth up to $50,000, alongside the district court. The First City Court's limit rises from $20,000, and the Second City Court's limit rises from $25,000. The limit applies to the amount in dispute or the value of property involved. This expands where people can bring cases, not how much they can claim.

New Orleans court appeals change venue

Appeals from New Orleans city courts, including Municipal and Traffic Courts, go to the court of appeal serving Orleans Parish. Municipal and Traffic Court appeals cover both law and facts, using the lower courts' records and evidence. The appeals court also gains supervisory power, including authority to issue habeas corpus and other supervisory orders.

New Orleans redirects money to juvenile services

When the law abolishes a juvenile judgeship, New Orleans must use that seat's funding to improve juvenile services. The law does not name the services or state the amount. Juvenile court judges may also appoint hearing officers or commissioners under court rules. Their powers must stay within state law and the state constitution. Any added city funding requires New Orleans' consent.

Orleans criminal courts gain case-handling options

Criminal court judges can create a homicide section without the old limit tied to judges serving on August 15, 2009. The judges set commissioner powers and policies, subject to Louisiana Supreme Court oversight. Unless court rules say otherwise, commissioners have state-law powers, including recommendations on incarcerated people's requests for post-conviction relief. A governor-appointed five-member committee recommends candidates, and court judges appoint commissioners from its list. Commissioners need five years of Louisiana legal practice; civil-law practice qualifies, but criminal-law practice does not. Court judges can remove commissioners, with Supreme Court review; the Judiciary Commission also retains disciplinary authority.

Orleans sheriff gets court payroll reimbursement

The Orleans Parish sheriff pays Civil District Court criers, who serve as deputy sheriffs. Pay matches a deputy with similar experience, plus any extra amount set by the court fund committee. For fiscal year 2026–27, the consolidated court fund reimburses the sheriff for the full compensation cost. Reimbursement in later years depends on an agreement between the committee and sheriff.

New Orleans cuts municipal court judgeships

The Municipal and Traffic Court has eight judges through December 31, 2020, then seven until January 1, 2027. Beginning January 1, 2027, the law provides five judgeships. Division H ends December 31, 2020; Divisions B and F end December 31, 2026, with incumbents allowed to finish their terms. After December 31, 2026, the first vacancy in a seat not already scheduled for abolition ends another judgeship at midnight. A constitutional bar on serving the next term counts as retirement at the current term's end; no successor qualifying opens.

Orleans juvenile court loses another judgeship

Orleans Parish Juvenile Court's Section D judgeship was abolished effective December 31, 2014. After January 1, 2027, the first vacancy in another section caused by death, resignation, retirement, or removal ends that judgeship. The seat ends at midnight on the vacancy date. A constitutional bar on serving the next term counts as retirement at the current term's end. No successor qualifying period opens for the abolished seat.

Orleans Parish reduces criminal court judges

The law reduces the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court from 12 judges to nine. Divisions A, E, and J are abolished, with current judges allowed to finish their terms. No candidate qualifying period or successor election opens for those abolished seats.

Orleans court staff funding rules change

The criminal court must provide administrators, assistants, law clerks, and secretaries, with staff numbers approved by the fund committee. The law removes the old minimums of 13 law clerks and four secretaries. The consolidated fund may cover costs above appropriations; Orleans Parish pays amounts otherwise required by law. New Orleans or the fund may also provide optional salary supplements for criminal court commissioners, as determined by the committee. Total commissioner pay cannot exceed the state compensation level referenced in R.S. 13:713.

Orleans Parish combines court money and fees

The law creates one Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund for Orleans Parish and redirects court revenue into it. Its nine-member committee includes two civil court judges, two criminal court judges, one city court judge, and four Supreme Court appointees. The Supreme Court appointees include two sitting and two retired judges. The committee controls spending and sets charges for official court services, affecting people who use the courts. The fund can support salaries, employee benefits, libraries, courthouse upkeep, and planning or construction of a shared courthouse. Annual audits must be filed with the Legislative Auditor.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John C. "Jay" Morris

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 84

House vote • 6/1/2026

Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 62, nays 34. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

Yes: 62 • No: 34

Senate vote • 5/31/2026

Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 25 yeas and 10 nays.

Yes: 25 • No: 10

House vote • 5/12/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 66, nays 31. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 66 • No: 31

Senate vote • 4/20/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 9 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 27 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 748.

    6/3/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 6/3/2026.

    6/3/2026Senate

  3. Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 62, nays 34. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

    6/1/2026House

  4. Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.

    6/1/2026Senate

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

    6/1/2026Senate

  6. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    6/1/2026House

  7. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate on 6/2/2026.

    6/1/2026Senate

  8. Conference committee report received.

    5/31/2026Senate

  9. Rules suspended.

    5/31/2026Senate

  10. Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 25 yeas and 10 nays.

    5/31/2026Senate

  11. Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.

    5/31/2026House

  12. Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.

    5/31/2026House

  13. Scheduled for floor debate on 06/01/2026.

    5/31/2026House

  14. Notice of change of Senate conferees.

    5/26/2026House

  15. Senate Conference Committee membership changed: Harris vice Edmonds.

    5/26/2026Senate

  16. Notice of Senate conferees appointed.

    5/25/2026House

  17. House conferees appointed: Zeringue, Robby Carter, and Berault.

    5/25/2026House

  18. Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.

    5/25/2026Senate

  19. Notice of Senate conferees appointed.

    5/25/2026House

  20. Senate conference committee members appointed: Morris, Cathey, and Edmonds.

    5/20/2026Senate

  21. Notice of Senate rejecting House amendments.

    5/19/2026House

  22. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 66, nays 31. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/12/2026House

  23. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/12/2026Senate

  24. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/12/2026.

    5/11/2026House

  25. Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/7/2026House

Bill Text

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