Louisiana House Bill HB1283

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/13/10
• Refer: 4/14/10

Caption

Appropriates funds for payment of judgment in the suit entitled "Judy Stanford v. State of Louisiana, et al"

Impact

The approval of HB 1283 will directly impact the state's budgetary allocations for the FY 2010-2011, as it requires withdrawing a sum from the General Fund. This legislative action signifies a response to legal liabilities that could influence future state financial planning and appropriations. By settling this judgment, the state may avoid incurring further interests or penalties associated with prolonged legal disputes, thereby potentially stabilizing financial forecasts in subsequent budgets.

Summary

House Bill 1283 proposes the appropriation of funds from the Louisiana State General Fund to cover a judgment payment in the case of 'Judy Stanford v. State of Louisiana, et al'. The bill specifically allocates a total of $10,000 for the fiscal year 2010-2011, aimed at fulfilling the state's financial obligation resulting from this court case. Such appropriations are not uncommon in state legislation, particularly when addressing pending debts from litigation involving state agencies.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1283 appears to be largely procedural and administrative rather than contentious. Given the specificity of the bill towards addressing a legal judgement, there seems to be little room for political division in the discussions. However, sentiments may vary regarding the efficacy and appropriateness of using taxpayer dollars to fund legal settlements, with some taxpayers possibly questioning the transparency and necessity of such appropriations.

Contention

While there are no prominent points of contention publicly noted in relation to HB 1283, concerns might arise regarding transparency in how the appropriated funds are allocated and managed. As with many appropriations, scrutiny often centers around whether the state is effectively managing its legal obligations and ensuring accountability in the use of public funds. If similar situations arise in the future, they could lead to broader discussions about reforming how the state handles legal claims against it.