Senate Resolution No. by Senator Barrow urges the Senate Committee on Finance, in collaboration with the Nineteenth Judicial District Court, the East Baton Rouge Clerk of Court, and the Louisiana Department of Justice, to conduct a study on court costs associated with suits involving the state and political subdivisions in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court. This study is to be completed before the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The resolution highlights the unique role of the Nineteenth Judicial District Court as the primary venue for litigation involving state agencies and notes that the state does not pay advanced costs for these suits, leading to significant financial burdens on the court.

The resolution points out that the Nineteenth Judicial District Court incurs approximately $700,000 in additional debt each year due to unpaid advanced costs from the state, with the total outstanding balance exceeding $7 million over the past decade. It emphasizes the need to determine the full extent of these costs and to identify a dedicated funding source to alleviate the financial strain on the court. The resolution concludes by requesting that a copy be sent to the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for their records.