Senate Bill No. SLS 26RS-511, introduced by Senator Morris, seeks to consolidate the roles of the clerks of the civil and criminal district courts in Orleans Parish into a single office. The bill outlines the qualifications, duties, and salary structure for the newly established clerk, who will be elected by the qualified voters of Orleans Parish for a four-year term. It includes provisions for a smooth transition to this consolidated office, ensuring that current employees of the Criminal District Court cannot be discharged without cause until January 15, 2027, and allows for the hiring of temporary staff during the transition period.

Additionally, the legislation modifies the financial framework for the clerk's office, detailing the collection and distribution of fees, salary payments, and expense allowances. It establishes a Clerk of Court Expense Fund to cover operational costs and mandates that the clerk's salary will be based on the parish's population. The bill also allocates a percentage of collected fees to the Clerk's Salary Fund and the judicial expense fund for the Civil District Court. Overall, the bill aims to streamline court administration in Orleans Parish while ensuring adequate funding and operational efficiency for the newly consolidated clerk's office.

Statutes affected:
SB256 Original: 13:1212(A), 13:1373(A)(1), 13:7(A), 18:2(3), 18:444(E), 18:602(C)(1), 18:7(B), 18:1354(A)(1), 18:2(E), 18:3(A)(1)
SB256 Engrossed: 13:1212(A), 13:1373(A)(1), 13:7(A), 18:2(3), 18:444(E), 18:602(C)(1), 18:7(B), 18:1354(A)(1), 18:2(E), 18:3(A)(1)
SB256 Reengrossed: 13:1212(A), 13:1373(A)(1), 13:7(A), 18:2(3), 18:444(E), 18:602(C)(1), 18:7(B), 18:1354(A)(1), 18:2(E), 18:3(A)(1)