This bill enacts R.S. 13:51, which provides for salary increases for judges across various levels of the Louisiana judiciary, including the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, district courts, city courts, and parish courts. The legislation stipulates that a supplement currently authorized will terminate on June 30, 2026, but will be replaced by a cost of living adjustment effective July 1, 2026. The bill outlines specific salary increases for different judicial positions, including $12,129 for justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court, $11,431 for judges of the courts of appeal, and $10,723 for judges of the district courts. Additionally, judges of city and parish courts will receive a salary increase that matches the percentage increase of district court judges.

Furthermore, on July 1, 2027, there will be an additional salary increase of 2.7% for the same judicial positions. The funding for the cost of living adjustment for the fiscal year 2026-27 will be sourced from the judiciary's own reserves, contingent upon certification by the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Louisiana Judicial Budgetary Control Board that sufficient reserves are available to meet this obligation.