House Bill No. by Representative Mike Johnson seeks to revise the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure by amending and reenacting several articles, including Civil Code Article 3462, while also introducing new provisions and repealing certain existing articles. Key changes include clarifying that the interruption of prescription occurs when an action is commenced in a competent court, regardless of venue. The bill also establishes new sanctions for attorney conduct, outlines procedures for child custody proceedings, and updates rules for electronic service and subpoenas. Notable insertions require attorneys to maintain decorum in court and verify the authenticity of evidence before presentation, while also allowing individuals deemed mentally incompetent to file civil actions unless restricted by limited interdiction.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments focused on expert testimony management, requiring pretrial conferences to set deadlines for expert identification and report production. It mandates proof of notice for default judgments and ensures all judgments are documented in writing and signed by the court. The bill also clarifies the transfer of cases to district courts, allowing plaintiffs to oppose transfers only if the action does not exceed ten thousand dollars, and specifies that the clerk must forward a certified record to the new court. Furthermore, it revises the computation of time for legal proceedings and repeals outdated provisions, ensuring that changes apply prospectively and do not affect actions already prescribed or appeals filed before the Act's effective date.

Statutes affected:
HB178 Original: 9:863(F)