House Bill No. 519, introduced by Representative Mike Johnson, aims to enhance the ethical standards governing the appointment of special masters in complex civil litigation. The bill enacts R.S. 13:4165(G), which mandates that any special master appointed by a trial court for complex cases must adhere to the ethical requirements outlined in the Code of Judicial Conduct. This requirement applies specifically to cases that are consolidated due to shared questions of fact and designated as complex under rules established by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

In addition to retaining existing provisions for the appointment of special masters in civil actions with complicated issues, the proposed law emphasizes compliance with both the Code of Judicial Conduct and the federal rules regarding the appointment and disqualification of masters, unless these conflict with state law. The bill also clarifies that all appointments must align with the rules set forth by the Louisiana Supreme Court for complex cases, ensuring a consistent ethical framework for special masters in the state.