Senate Bill No. 139, introduced by Senator Foil, amends R.S. 13:5112(C) to modify the accrual rate of legal interest on claims for personal injury or wrongful death in suits against the state or political subdivisions. The proposed law stipulates that legal interest shall accrue at the lesser of six percent per annum or the rate of judicial interest as defined in R.S. 13:4202. This interest will begin accruing from the date service is requested following judicial demand until the judgment is signed by the trial judge, in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure Article 1911.

Additionally, the bill retains the existing provision that legal interest accruing after the signing of the judgment will be at the rate fixed by R.S. 9:3500. The changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026, and aim to clarify the conditions and procedures surrounding the awarding of interest in these legal claims.

Statutes affected:
SB139 Original: 13:5112(C)