House Resolution No. by Representative Freiberg requests the legislative auditor to compile and report information regarding the financial obligations of criminal defendants in Louisiana, specifically focusing on the funding of the judicial system through fines, fees, and other costs associated with pre- or post-adjudication. This request follows the establishment of the Louisiana Commission on Justice System Funding, which highlighted concerns that reliance on these financial obligations may jeopardize public safety. The resolution emphasizes the need for an evaluation of the current funding model, as mandated by Act No. 87 of the 2020 Regular Session, which requires uniform audit reporting for local and state entities involved in the collection of such revenues.

The report requested from the legislative auditor is to include several key components: an updated estimate of the judicial system's funding through criminal financial obligations, an analysis of the costs associated with collecting these fines and fees, a breakdown of rarely imposed costs, an estimate of outstanding debts, a cost estimate for a fully funded court system without reliance on these financial obligations, and recommendations for alternative funding methods. The findings and recommendations are to be submitted to the legislature by January 30, 2026, ensuring that the legislature has the necessary information to consider potential reforms in the funding of the judicial system.