House Resolution No. by Representative Owen authorizes the legislative auditor to analyze the fiscal impact of establishing and operating a sentencing review panel within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections specifically for non-unanimous jury verdicts. This initiative follows a series of legal changes regarding jury verdict requirements in Louisiana, including a 2018 constitutional amendment mandating unanimous verdicts for noncapital felony cases and a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming the necessity of unanimous verdicts for serious offenses. The resolution reflects the legislature's interest in understanding the implications of non-unanimous jury verdicts and the potential establishment of a review panel.

The resolution outlines specific considerations for the legislative auditor's analysis, including the salaries for panel members, operational expenses, and the collection and analysis of relevant sentencing data. The auditor is tasked with reporting its findings to the Speaker of the House by December 31, 2025, to inform legislative decision-making regarding the proposed review panel. This effort aims to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the fiscal responsibilities associated with the panel's establishment and operation.