House Bill No. by Representative Knox establishes the Fiscal Truth in Sentencing Act, which aims to enhance transparency in the budgeting process of Louisiana's criminal justice system. The Act mandates that district clerks of court provide the legislative auditor with quarterly reports containing specific sentencing data, including the number of individuals sentenced, total years of confinement, and the ages of those sentenced to 20 years or more. Additionally, the legislative auditor is required to compile an annual report projecting five-year incarceration costs based on the aggregated sentencing data and other relevant budget information.

The bill also includes provisions for civil immunity, protecting clerks of court, the legislative auditor, and other entities involved in the reporting process from liability related to compliance with the Act. Reporting by clerks is set to commence in the last quarter of 2026 and will continue quarterly thereafter. This legislation is designed to provide a clearer understanding of the financial implications of sentencing decisions within the state's criminal justice framework.