House Bill No. 644, introduced by Representative Brown, amends R.S. 13:86 to establish a new court cost of $1.50 for both civil filings and criminal convictions. This fee will be collected by various courts, including the supreme court, district courts, and mayor's courts. The bill specifies that one-third of the funds collected will be allocated solely to support the Judicial College's growth and program improvement, while the remaining funds will be used for coordinated educational efforts between the Judicial College and the Judiciary Commission, focusing on judicial ethics and best practices.

The bill also stipulates that these changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, contingent upon a recommendation from the Judicial Council confirming that the new court costs meet applicable guidelines. Additionally, it mandates an annual audit of the funds collected, ensuring transparency and accountability in their use. The proposed law retains the existing framework for court costs but increases the amount and specifies the allocation of proceeds to enhance judicial education and ethics enforcement.

Statutes affected:
HB644 Original:
HB644 Engrossed: