SB 217 — 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)

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 criminaldistrictcourtjudges;onejudgeappointedbythecitycourtjudges;and two retired judges appointed by the supreme court.

B.(1) EffectiveDivisions JanuaryA, 1,E, 2027,and thereJ shallof bethe nineCriminal divisionsDistrict ofCourt for the Criminalparish Districtof Court.Orleans shall be abolished in accordance with this Section.

The(2) divisionsNo ofqualifying theshall firstbe threeopened judges,for ifany any,successor servingto ona thejudgeship effective date of this Paragraph, that providePage written4 notice to the supreme court and secretary of state11 byCoding: July 1, 2026, that they will not qualify to seek re-election, shall be abolished.

(2)Words Ifwhich aare sufficientstruck numberthrough ofare judgesdeletions dofrom notexisting providelaw; notice pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, then the requisite divisions comprising the judges who have served on the court the least amount of time shall be designated to be abolished at the end of their current term of office.

Ifwords therein isboldface anytype disputeand concerningunderscored thisare calculation,additions. the supreme court shall issue an order to the secretaryof state designating what divisions shall be abolished pursuant to this Subsection.

(3)SB NoNO. qualifying shall be opened for any successor to a judgeship that is abolished pursuant to this Subsection, and no election shall be held for any judgeship abolished pursuant to this Subsection.

217 ENROLLED is abolished pursuant to this Subsection, and no election shall be held for any judgeship abolished pursuant to this Subsection.

In all casestriedbeforethe judges of the criminal Pagedistrict 5courtin whichanappealdoesnot lieto thesupremecourt,anappealshall lie on questions of 13law Coding:and fact to two or more of the judges of the criminal district court, as prescribed by said court.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 district courtin whichanappealdoesnot lietothesupremecourt,anappealshall lie on questions of law and fact to two or more of the judges of the criminal district court, as prescribed by said court.

The Criminal District Court Court of appeal with jurisdiction for the ParishofOrleansshallParish havegeneralsupervisoryjurisdictionof overOrleansshall havegeneralsupervisoryjurisdictionover the municipal and trafficcourtsofNewOrleansandshallhaveauthoritytoissuewritsofhabeascorpus in criminalcases,aswellassuchotherwritsandcriminalcases,aswellassuchotherwritsandordersasarenecessaryin ordersaid asarenecessaryinof aidofthethe jurisdiction of the court.

All cases pending in the criminal district court shall be allotted equally among the Sections A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L the divisions of the court.

Except on Sundays,legalholidays,andlegalhalf-holidays,theallotmentofcasesshallbemadeSundays, legal holidays, and legal half-holidays, the allotment of cases shall be made public byclassesby classes dailyat noon bythe clerk or a deputy clerk selected bybyhim, him, in the presence of the district attorney.

* * * §1344.Page 5 of 11 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

217 ENROLLED §1344.

The rule maymaydesignate designate not less thanoneincumbentjudgewhomaybeassignedtothanoneincumbentjudge whomaybeassignedto ahomicidesectionin accordance with the rules of the Criminal District Court for the parish of Orleans.

* * * PageD. 6 of 13 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 D.

(4)Thesalariesofcommissionersmaybeoptionallysupplementedbythe city of New Orleans or the Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund for the parish of Orleans, as determined by its executive committee, provided that total compensationPage in6 accordanceof with11 thisCoding: Section shall not exceed that for a commissioner pursuant to R.S.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

217 ENROLLED compensation in accordance with this Section shall not exceed that for a commissioner pursuant to R.S.

PageC. 7 of 13 Coding:

WordsShould whichthere arebe strucka throughvacancycreated arebythe deletionsremoval, fromresignation existingor law;death of any commissioner of the four commissioners, the judges of the criminal district court sitting en banc shall fill the vacancy by appointment for the unexpired term fromalistprovidedbythenominatingcommitteeasprovidedforinSubsection B of this Section.

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 C.

Should there be a vacancycreatedbythe removal, resignation or death of any commissioner of the four commissioners, the judges of the criminal district court sitting en banc shall fill the vacancy by appointment for the unexpired term fromalistprovidedbythenominatingcommitteeasprovidedforinSubsection B of this Section.

No one shall serve in the office of commissioner unless he has practicedlaw in the stateofLouisianaforastate period of notLouisiana lessfor thana periodofnot lessthan five years.

court buildings There shall be ten nine separate sections of Criminal District Court for the ParishPage of7 Orleans, designated as Sections A through J L subject to the provisions of R.S.11 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

217 ENROLLED Parish of Orleans, designated as Sections A through J L subject to the provisions of R.S.

Each shall be presided over byone of the judges.Thejudgesshallholdjudges.Thejudgesshall courtinhold onebuildingtobeprovidedbythecityofNewcourtinonebuildingtobeprovidedbythecityofNew Orleans.

office or positions and functions Each criminal district court in the parish of Orleans shall have a position or officeofjudicialadministrator,deputyjudicialadministrator,andassistants,officeofjudicialadministrator,deputyjudicialadministrator,andassistants,atleast atleastthirteen Pagelaw 8clerks, and at least four secretaries and law clerks and secretaries for each section at amounts approved by the executive committee of 13the Coding:ConsolidatedJudicialExpenseFundfortheparishofOrleans,andshallprovide for the conduct of the jury commission and sanity hearings, the cost of all of which shall be appropriated in the appropriation bill which provides for judicial expenses and shall be allocated bythe Judicial BudgetaryControl Council to such court.

WordsThe whichamount arenecessaryin struckexcessof throughtheamount areappropriated deletionsmay frombe existingchargedon law;the Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund or otherwise, when already required by law, shall be paid by the parish of Orleans.

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 thirteen law clerks, and at least four secretaries and law clerks and secretariesfor each section at amounts approved by the executive committee of the ConsolidatedJudicialExpenseFundfortheparishofOrleans,andshallprovide for the conduct of the jury commission and sanity hearings, the cost of all of which shall be appropriated in the appropriation bill which provides for judicial expenses and shall be allocated bythe Judicial BudgetaryControl Council to such court.

The amount necessaryin excessof theamount appropriated may bechargedon the Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund orotherwise,when requiredbylaw,shall be paid by the parish of Orleans.

In addition to Sections "A", "B", and "C" of the Juvenile Court for the ParishParishofOrleans,there ofis Orleans,thereisherebycreateda herebycreatedanewnew section of the court to bebedesignated designated as Section "D".

ThejudgeshipcreatedforSection"D"oftheJuvenileCourtThejudgeshipcreatedfor forSection theparish"D"oftheJuvenileCourt fortheparish of Orleans shall be abolished effective December 31, 2014, at midnight.

C.B.Page 8 of 11 Coding:

The first judgeship becoming vacant by death, resignation, retirement, or removal during the term of office of any of the other Sections after January 1, 2027, shall be abolished at midnight of such day.

If any incumbent judge is prohibited from serving in office at the commencement of the next termdue to the provisions of Article V, Section 23 of the Constitution of Louisiana, that section shall be considered as vacant by retirement solely for the purposes of Page 9 of 13 Coding:

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 thisENROLLED SubsectionC.B. as of the end of that termand no qualifying shall be opened for asuccessorifthatseatisthejudgeshipthatisrequiredtobeabolishedpursuant to this Subsection at the end of that term of office.

D.C.(1)The Uponfirst thejudgeship abolishmentbecoming ofvacant aby judgeshipdeath, asresignation, providedretirement, foror inremoval Subsectionsduring Subsectionthe BandorCterm ofthisof Section,thefundingfromthecityofNewOrleansoffice forof suchany judgeshipof shallthe beother allocatedSections forafter improvedJanuary juvenile1, services2027, withinshall thebe cityabolished at midnight of Newsuch Orleans.day.

(2)If Theany judges,incumbent enjudge banc,is mayprohibited appointfrom aserving hearingin officeroffice inat the samecommencement mannerof asthe anynext districtterm courtdue orto maythe appointprovisions aof commissionerArticle toV, performSection duties23 inaccordancewiththerulesofthecourtasprescribedbytheelectedjudgesthatof arethe inConstitution accordancewithof theLouisiana, Louisianathat Constitutionsection andshall donotexceedauthoritybe otherwiseconsidered providedas vacant by retirement solely for inthe purposes of this Subsection as of the lawend forof athat hearingtermand officerno orqualifying commissionershall inbe aopened districtfor courtasuccessorifthatseatisthejudgeshipthatisrequiredtobeabolishedpursuant into this Subsection at the state.end of that term of office.

D.C.(1) Upon the abolishment of a judgeship as provided for in Subsections Subsection BandorC ofthis Section, thefundingfromthecityofNewOrleansfor such judgeship shall be allocated for improved juvenile services within the city of New Orleans.

(2) The judges, en banc, may appoint a hearing officer in the same manner as any districtcourt or may appoint a commissioner to perform duties inaccordancewiththerulesofthecourtasprescribedbytheelectedjudgesthat are in accordancewith theLouisiana Constitution and do not exceedauthority otherwise provided for in the law for a hearing officer or commissioner in a district court in the state.

The civil jurisdiction is concurrent with the district court in cases where theamountin dispute, as defined in Code of Civil ProcedureArticle4841(B),ortheProcedureArticle 4841(B),orthe value of the property involved, does not exceed twenty fifty thousand dollars.

The civil jurisdiction is concurrent with the district court in cases where thePage amount9 in dispute, as definedin CodeofCivil ProcedureArticle 4841(B), or the value of the11 propertyCoding: involved, does not exceed twenty-five fifty thousand dollars.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

217 ENROLLED the amount in dispute, as defined in Code ofCivil ProcedureArticle4841(B),orthe value of the property involved, does not exceed twenty-five fifty thousand dollars.

vacation A.(1)TheMunicipal and TrafficCourt ofNewOrleansshallconsist ofeight Pagejudgeships 10through ofDecember 1331, Coding:2020.

WordsThereafter whichUntil areJanuary struck1, through2027, areit deletionsshall fromconsist existingof law;seven judgeships.

wordsThereafter init boldfaceshall typeconsist andof underscoredfive arejudgeships. additions.

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 judgeships through December 31, 2020.

ThereafterUntil January 1, 2027, it shall consist of seven judgeships, thereafter it shall consist of six judgeships.

DivisionDivisions "B" and the"F" judgeshipand forthe DivisionjudgeshipsforDivisions"B"and"F"shallbeabolishedonDecember31,2026, "B" shall be abolished on December 31, 2026, effective at midnight.

The other divisions shall remain unchanged as previouslydesignatedpreviously designated Divisions "A" through "G".

(6) A vacancyin Divisions "A""A", andthrough "C""C", through"D", "G""E", "F"and "G" shall be filled by election to that division as provided in this Section.

* * * (8) Excluding the judgeships provided for in Paragraph (5) of this SubsectionandnotwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthisSubsection,thefirst judgeshipbecomingvacantbydeath,resignation,retirement,orremovalofany division afterDecember31,2026,shallafterDecember beabolished31, at2026,shall midnightbeabolished atmidnight of such day.

If anyanyincumbentjudge incumbentjudgeisprohibitedfromservinginis prohibited fromservingin officeatthecommencement of the next term due to the provisions of Article V, Section 23 of the Constitution of Louisiana, that division shall be considered as vacant by retirement solely for the purposes of this Paragraph as of the end of that term and no qualifying shall be opened for a successor if that seat is the judgeship that is required to be abolished pursuant to this Paragraph.

ThisAny Actjudge shalland become effective upon signature bythe governor or, if not signedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature by the governor,related asdivision providedotherwise byabolished Articlepursuant III,to Sectionthis 18Page of10 the Constitution of Louisiana.11 Coding:

If vetoed bythe governorand subsequentlyapprovedbythe legislature, this Act shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.

Page 11 of 13 Coding:

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 TheENROLLED originalAct instrumentshall andremain thein followingeffect digest,only whichto constitutesthe noend part of the legislativecurrent instrument,term wereof preparedoffice. bySenate Legislative Services.

TheNo keyword,provision summary, and digest do not constitute part of thethis lawActshalldepriveanyjudgeinofficeoftheabilitytoservetheentireremainderofhiscurrent orunexpired proofterm or indicia of legislativeoffice. intent.

[R.S.To effectuate the provisions of this Act, no further elections shall be held for anyjudgeship abolished pursuant to theprovisions of this Act, including for any division repealed under either Section 1 or 2 of this Act.

1:13(B)Section and4. 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 217 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Morris Present law provides for the number of judges in Orleans Parish and for the administration of the courts.

ProvidesThis forAct shall become effective upon signature bythe governor or, if not signedbythegovernor,uponexpirationofthetimeforbillstobecomelawwithoutsignature by the fundsgovernor, andas paymentprovided fromby Article III, Section 18 of the judicialConstitution expenseof fund.Louisiana.

PresentIf lawvetoed providesbythe forgovernorand twelvesubsequentlyapproved judgesbythe forlegislature, thethis criminalAct districtshall courtbecome ineffective Orleanson Parish.the dayfollowing such approval.

ProposedPRESIDENT lawOF reducesTHE theSENATE judgesSPEAKER fromOF twelveTHE toHOUSE nine.OF REPRESENTATIVES GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

ProposedPage law11 provides that effective January 1, 2027, there shall be nine divisions of the11 CriminalDistrictCourt.Thedivisionsofthefirstfourjudges,ifany,servingontheeffectiveCoding: date of proposed law that provide written notice to the supreme court and secretaryof state by July 1, 2026, that they will not qualify to seek re-election shall be abolished.

Proposed law provides that if a sufficient number of judges do not provide notice pursuant to proposed law, then the requisite Divisions comprisingthejudgeswho have served on the court the least amount of time shall be designated to be abolished at the end of their current term of office.

If there is any dispute concerning this calculation the supreme court shall issueanordertothesecretaryofstatedesignatingwhatdivisionsshallbeabolishedpursuant to proposed law.

Proposed law provides that no qualifying shall be opened for any successor to a judgeship that is abolished pursuant to proposed law, and no election shall be held for any judgeship abolished pursuant to proposed law.

Proposed law provides that the judges, en banc, may appoint a hearing officer in the same mannerasanydistrictcourtormayappoint acommissionerto performduties inaccordance with therulesofthecourtasprescribedbythe electedjudgesthatarein accordancewith the Louisiana Constitution and do not exceed authority otherwise provided for in the law for a hearing officer or commissioner in a district court in the state.

Present law provides each criminal district court in the parish of Orleans shall have a position or office of judicial administrator, deputy judicial administrator, and assistants, at least thirteen law clerks, and at least four secretaries.

Proposed law repeals the fixed number of law clerks and secretaries and provides for law clerks and secretaries for each section at amounts approved by the executive committee of the Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund for the parish of Orleans.

Proposed law provides that the commissioners shall have the same authority for cases in present law, within the jurisdiction of the Orleans Criminal Court as a commissioner pursuanttoR.S.13:713,includingtheauthoritytomakeareportandrecommendationtothe judges concerning claims for post-conviction relief by the incarcerated.

Proposed law provides that the salaries of commissioners may be optionally supplemented by the city of New Orleans or the Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund for the parish of Orleans, as determined byits executive committee.

Proposed law repeals provisions dividing the civil district court into seven divisions and provisions regarding an additional commissioner in the criminal district court of Orleans Parish.

Page 12 of 13 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-510 REENGROSSED SB NO.

217 Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

(Amends R.S.

13:1137(B), 1302, 1312(A), (B), (C), (D)(1), 1335, 1337(A) and (B), 1343(A),1344(A)and(D),1347(A)(3),(B),and(C),1383,1384,1595,2151(D),2151.4(D), 2492(A)(1), (5), and (6);

adds R.S.

13:1312(E) and (F), and 2492(A)(8);

repeals R.S.

13:1304, and 1347(D), (F), and (G), 1595.1, and 2492(A)(7)(b)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary A to the original bill 1.

Makes technical changes.

2.

Reduces the number of divisions of criminal district court from 12 to 9 judges, effective January 1, 2027.

3.

Provides procedure for determining what divisions shall be abolished.

4.

Prohibits qualification and election for any successor judgeship to the abolished division.

5.

Clarifies the divisions being abolished.

6.

Changes the date that the first judgeship vacancy is abolished by death, resignation,retirement,orremovalofanydivisionfromafterJanuary1,2027 to December 31, 2026.

7.

RepealsprovisionprovidingadditionaljudgesfortheOrleansParishJuvenile Court.

Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill 1.

Makes technical changes.

2.

Provides that the commissioners shall have the same authority for cases in present law, within the jurisdiction of the Orleans Criminal Court, including theauthorityto makea report and recommendationto the judges concerning claims for post-conviction relief by the incarcerated.

3.

Provides that the judges of the Juvenile Court in Orleans Parish, en banc, mayappointahearingofficerinthesamemannerasanydistrictcourtormay appointacommissionertoperformduties in accordancewith therulesofthe court as prescribed by the elected judges that do not exceed authority otherwise provided for in the law for a hearing officer or commissioner in a district court in the state.

The salaries of commissioners may be optionally supplemented by the city of New Orleans or the Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund for the parish of Orleans, as determined by its executive committee.

4.

Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

Page 13 of 13 Coding: