House Resolution No. ___, introduced 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 arises from a series of legal changes regarding jury verdict requirements in Louisiana, culminating in the 2018 constitutional amendment mandating unanimous verdicts for noncapital felony cases and the subsequent Supreme Court ruling in Ramos v. Louisiana. The resolution reflects a growing public and legislative interest in understanding the implications of non-unanimous jury verdicts and the potential need for 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 composed 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 future legislative decisions regarding the establishment of the review panel. A copy of the resolution will also be transmitted to relevant legislative officials and research libraries.