HB 437 — EVIDENCE: Provides relative to expert witness fees

HLS 26RS-1352 ENGROSSEDREENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.

437 BY REPRESENTATIVEREPRESENTATIVES MELERINE AND BERAULT EVIDENCE:

Except in criminal,criminal traffic,court, traffic court, or juvenile proceedings, a witness with a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case shall not be qualified as an expert.

(1) "Pecuniary interest" means any compensation from or relating to a settlement or an awardofaward of damages, engagement to provide goods or servicesconnectedtoservices connected to an award,award or settlement, or any financial benefit from or relating to the testimonytestimonybesidesthecompensationtobepaidforthestudyandtestimonydisclosed besides the compensation to be paid for the study and testimony disclosed in a report under Code of Civil Procedure Article 1425(B).

Pecuniaryinterest(2) Pecuniary interest does not extend to anany expert witness who is or has been an employee of athe party.following:

HLS 26RS-1352 ENGROSSEDREENGROSSED HB NO.

437 Section(a) 2.Past or present employment of a party.

(b) Ownership of one percent or less of an entity with a financial interest in the matter.

(c) The provision of servicesbya healthcareprofessional that is thetreating physician of a party.

Section 2.

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HLS 26RS-1352 REENGROSSED HB NO.

437 DIGEST ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislative Services.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 437 EngrossedReengrossed 2026 Regular Session Melerine Abstract:

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HLS 26RS-1352 ENGROSSED HB NO.

437 Proposed law (C.E.

702(C)) provides that except in criminal, traffic, or juvenile proceedings,awitnesswithapecuniaryinterestintheoutcomeofthecaseisprohibitedfromAbstract: being qualified as an expert.

Provides relative to an expert witness' pecuniary interest in a case.

702(C)) provides that except in criminal court, traffic court, or juvenile proceedings, a witness with a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case is prohibited from being qualified as an expert.

Proposed law (C.E.

Art.

Art.1425(B))Art. provides that upon contradictorymotion or on thecourt's ownmotion,anordermaybeenteredrequiringeachpartythathasretainedanexpertwitness to provide a written report prepared and signed by the witnesses.

1425(B)) provides that upon contradictorymotion oronthecourt's ownmotion,anordermaybeenteredrequiringeachpartythathasretainedanexpertwitness to provide a written report prepared and signed by the witnesses.

The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:

1.

Provide exceptions to the definition of "pecuniary interest".

2.

Specify that pecuniary interest relates to a settlement or an award of damages.

3.

Make technical changes.