House Bill No. by Representative Brown amends R.S. 13:86 to adjust court costs associated with civil filings and criminal convictions in Louisiana. The bill introduces an additional fee of two dollars and fifty cents for the initial filing in all civil matters, which will be collected by the clerks of various courts. Furthermore, individuals convicted of felonies, misdemeanors, or local ordinance violations will also incur an additional two dollars and fifty cents as a special court cost, applicable across all court types, including mayor's and magistrate courts.

The bill stipulates that all funds collected from these new fees will be deposited into a special account, with one-third allocated specifically for the Judicial College's growth and program improvement strategies. The remaining funds will be directed by the court to support coordinated efforts between the Judicial College and the Judiciary Commission, focusing on judicial ethics education and related expenses. An annual audit of the collected funds will be conducted by the Louisiana Supreme Court, with the results made available for public inspection. The changes in court costs will take effect on January 1, 2026, contingent upon a recommendation from the Judicial Council.

Statutes affected:
HB644 Original:
HB644 Engrossed:
HB644 Enrolled:
HB644 Act 299: