The bill, HB 781, appropriates funds for the ordinary operating expenses of the judicial branch of government for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, totaling $208,551,329. This funding is sourced from the State General Fund, interagency transfers, and statutory dedications. The bill includes provisions for a one-time stipend for judges, contingent upon the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Louisiana Judicial Budgetary Control Board determining that there are sufficient funds in the judiciary's approved bank account as of June 30, 2024. The stipends are specified as $15,280 for justices of the supreme court, $17,680 for judges of the courts of appeal, $14,691 for district court judges, and 8.45% of their current base salary for city and parish court judges.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the one-time stipend will be funded solely from the judiciary's approved bank account and will not be considered compensation under the Louisiana Constitution, which prohibits the reduction of a judge's compensation during their term. The stipend will take effect after a work point study of the appellate and district courts is completed by the National Center for State Courts, and a report is submitted to the Louisiana Supreme Court. The bill also clarifies that any salary increases for sheriffs that occur by operation of law will be considered salary increases for constitutional purposes.