LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: SB 5 SLS 243ES 24
Bill Text Version: ENROLLED
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: November 25, 2024 11:34 AM Author: MORRIS, JAY
Dept./Agy.: Courts and Secretary of State
Subject: Elections for New and Vacant Judgeships Analyst: Daniel Druilhet
COURTS EN NO IMPACT GF EX See Note Page 1 of 1
Constitutional amendment to provide for elections to fill newly-created judgeships and judicial vacancies and for exceptions
as to courts of limited or specialized jurisdictions. (2/3 - CA13s1(A)) (Item #20)
Current law provides that a vacancy of a judge shall be filled by special election called by the governor and held within
twelve months after the day on which the vacancy occurs or judgeship is established, except when the vacancy occurs in the
last twelve months of an existing term; provides that an appointee to a vacancy that is filled is ineligible as a candidate at
the election to fill the vacancy or newly created judicial office. Proposed law provides that a vacancy or newly created
judgeship shall be filled by special election called by the governor and held on the election date first available pursuant to
applicable law; provides that if the date of the next gubernatorial or congressional election is within twelve months of the
date of when the vacancy occurred, then the special election shall be held in the next gubernatorial or special election, if the
special election can be held on that date in accordance with law; provides that the proposed law (constitutional amendment)
shall be submitted to voters at a statewide election to be held on 3/29/25 or at another statewide election authorized by law,
whichever occurs first.
EXPENDITURES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW $0
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW $0
Annual Total $0 $0
REVENUES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION
The proposed constitutional amendment may result in cost savings to the Department of State and local governmental units
when holding a special election for a vacant judgeship. The proposed constitutional amendment requires any special election
be held on the next available election date unless the date of the next gubernatorial or congressional election date is within
twelve months of the vacancy of a judgeship, in which case the special election must be held at the next gubernatorial or
congressional election. If the proposed constitutional amendment changes the timing of elections to align the dates with
elections currently scheduled, then the Department of State and local governments may realize cost savings by not having
to pay for a special election outside of a regular election date or outside of a statewide election day. For local governments
that conduct a special election outside of the twelve-month period, the cost normally imposed is $1,500 per precinct in Local
Funds expenditures.
REVENUE EXPLANATION
There is no anticipated direct material effect on governmental revenues as a result of this measure.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} 6.8(F)(1) >= $100,000 SGF Fiscal Cost {H & S}
13.5.2 >= $500,000 Annual Tax or Fee Patrice Thomas
6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Deputy Fiscal Officer