House Resolution No. [insert number] directs 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 arises from the historical context of jury verdict requirements in Louisiana, including the recent constitutional amendment mandating unanimous verdicts for noncapital felony cases and the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Ramos v. Louisiana. The resolution emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of the implications of non-unanimous jury verdicts and the potential establishment of a review panel to address these cases.

The resolution outlines specific considerations for the legislative auditor's analysis, including the salaries for a twelve-member panel consisting of six licensed attorneys and six additional staff members, operational expenses, and the collection and analysis of relevant sentencing data prior to January 1, 2019. The auditor is tasked with reporting its findings to the legislature by December 31, 2025, to inform legislative decision-making regarding the proposed sentencing review panel. A copy of the resolution will also be transmitted to relevant legislative officials and research libraries.