Louisiana 2011 2011 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB608 Engrossed / Bill

                    HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
Page 1 of 14
Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE BILL NO. 608
BY REPRESENTATIVES FANNIN AND TUCKER AND SENATORS MICHOT AND
CHAISSON
APPROPRIATIONS:  Appropriates funds for the expenses of the Louisiana Judiciary for
Fiscal Year 2011-2012
AN ACT1
To appropriate funds to defray the expenses of the Louisiana Judiciary, including the2
Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, District Courts, Criminal District Court of Orleans3
Parish, and other courts; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1.A. The sum of One Hundred Sixty-Four Million One Hundred Seventy6
Seven Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Eight and No/100 ($164,177,458.00) Dollars, or so7
much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to defray the expenses of the8
judiciary, including the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, the District Courts, the Criminal9
District Court of Orleans Parish, and of the other courts.10
B. The total amount herein appropriated is hereby allocated to provide as follows:11
03-8170SUPREME COURT12
Program Description:  The Supreme Court has general supervisory jurisdiction over all lower courts.13
It may establish procedural and administrative rules not in conflict with law and may assign a sitting or14
retired judge to any court. The Supreme Court has sole authority to provide by rule for appointments of15
attorneys as temporary or ad hoc judges.  It considers applications for writs to review individual cases,16
and has criminal and other appellate jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction17
of disciplinary proceedings against lawyers, recommendations of the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana18
for the discipline of judges, and fact questions affecting its appellate jurisdiction. It has inherent authority19
to regulate the legal profession and to promulgate and update the Code of Judicial Conduct. The court20
also provides judicial training through the Judicial College and works to improve the administration of21
justice. 22
Mission Statement:  The mission of the Supreme Court of Louisiana is to protect and23
promote the rule of law, to ensure public trust, to use public resources efficiently, to24
ensure the highest professional conduct, integrity, and competence of both the bench25
and the bar, and to ensure the proper administration and performance of all courts26
under its authority. 27
Goal: To protect the rule of law.28 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
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Objective: To provide a reasonable opportunity for litigants to seek review in the1
Supreme Court of decisions made by lower tribunals. 2
General Performance Information:3
2008 2009 20104
Total Filings	3,014 2,780 2,8755
Total Appeals Filed	15 14 96
Total Writs Filed	2,843 2,564 2,6747
Total Depositions Rendered 2,834 2,801 2,7368
Goal: To promote the rule of law. 9
Objective: To resolve cases in a timely manner.  10
General Performance Information:11
2008 2009 201012
Percentage of noncriminal case          13
applications acted on within Supreme  14
Court standard of 120 days of filing  91.4% 92.2% 90.9% 15
Percentage of criminal case applications         16
acted on within Supreme Court         17
standard of 120 days of filing        35.4% 38.2% 39.9%18
Percentage of pro se post conviction          19
applications acted on within Supreme  20
Court standard of 120 days of filing  35.3% 11.8% 7.7%21
Percentage of bar disciplinary filings         22
acted upon within Supreme Court   23
standard of 120 days of filing  70.5% 76.5% 75.6%24
Percentage of opinions rendered within          25
Supreme Court standard of 84 days26
from argument  	74.4% 81.3% 83.7%27
Goal: To ensure the public trust.28
Objective: To facilitate public access to Supreme Court decisions.29
General Performance Information:30
2008 2009 201031
Percentage of written opinions available         32
to the public within 5 days of decision 100% 100% 100% 33
Objective: To inform the public of operations and activities.34
General Performance Information:35
2008 2009 201036
Number of outreach programs 59 67 5137
Number of media releases on court decisions82 81 8738
Number of media releases on other matters26 26 2239
Number of recipients of releases on           40
court decisions 	60 1,103 1,21941
Number of recipients of releases on other          42
matters	5,155 5,144 5,80643
Objective: To ensure the highest professional conduct, integrity, and competence of the44
bench.45
General Performance Information:46
2008 2009 201047
Average number of hours acquired           48
through continuing legal education   49
per judge   	34.19 34.96 27.1950
Number of complaints filed against           51
judges and justices of the peace 818 664 58652
Number of complaints against judges           53
and justices of the peace resolved or    54
disposed of in the calendar year   563 690 52655
Objective: To ensure the highest professional conduct, integrity, and competence of the56
bar.57
General Performance Information:58
2008 2009 201059
Average number of hours acquired through           60
continuing legal education per lawyer15.48 15.03 15.0461
Number of complaints filed against lawyers 3,101 3,168 3,24062
Number of complaints filed against lawyers           63
resolved or disposed of in calendar year3,201  3,105 3,565 64 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
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Payable out of the State General Fund (Direct):1
01 Salaries of one (1) Chief Justice and six (6)2
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, 3
as provided by R.S. 13:102	$ 970,4804
02 Salaries and other expenses of the 5
Supreme Court Proper and salary of  6
the Crier of the Supreme Court	$10,384,8117
03 Expenses of Judicial Administrator's 8
Office and of the Judiciary Commission  9
provided for in Article V, Section10
25 of the Constitution of Louisiana and 11
under the provisions of R.S. 13:32 et seq. 12
A.  Expenses of Judicial Administrator's Office $4,580,95713
Program Description:  The Judicial Administrator's Office assists the Supreme Court in the14
administration of the state court system.  It staffs the Judicial Council and the Judiciary Commission of15
Louisiana. Through the Judicial Council, it performs studies and makes recommendations for the creation16
of new judgeships and for improving the administration of justice. The Judicial Administrator's Office17
provides payroll and other fiscal services to the Judiciary, including the administration of a judicial18
retirement system, and support for the Supreme Court and Appellate Court human resource system. The19
Judicial Administrator's Office provides technological services to courts and manages the Trial Court20
Case Management Information System. It also manages the ad hoc judgeship system, and monitors cases21
under advisement. The Judicial Administrator's Office provides outreach services to state and local22
courts, staffs the Committee on Judicial Ethics, and performs numerous legal services for the Supreme23
Court and the Judiciary. 24
B.  Expenses of Judiciary Commission 	$1,905,33525
Program Description:  The Judiciary Commission of Louisiana is a constitutional body established under26
Article V, Section 25 of the Constitution of 1974 to accept, screen, investigate, and prosecute complaints27
of judicial misconduct.  As part of its authority, it may recommend to the Supreme Court the censure,28
suspension, removal from office, or involuntary retirement of any judge for ethical misconduct.  29
C.  Court Reporters as required by R.S. 13:981	$ 340,10430
D.  Dues to National Center for State Courts $ 138,82931
04 Expenses of Committee on Professional 32
Ethics and Grievances including 33
disbarment proceedings, R.S. 37:211 et seq. $ 3,00034
05 Compensation and expenses of retired 35
judges assigned under Article V,36
Section 5(A) of the Constitution of 37
Louisiana, be it more or less estimated at $1,522,22138
06 Law Library of Louisiana for salaries, 39
services, supplies, maintenance, repairs, 40
and equipment 	$1,863,61441
Program Description: The Law Library of Louisiana was created by an Act of the Legislature in 185542
to serve the legal information needs of the public, the state judiciary, and the bar.  43
07 Salaries and expenses of transferred 44
judges assigned under Article V,45
Section 5(A) of the Constitution, 46
be it more or less estimated as 	$ 382,60047 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
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08 Retirement pay for services rendered by 1
justices and judges of all courts, as 2
provided by R.S. 11:1358 and 3
R.S. 13:103	$1,451,8934
09 Pensions for widows of justices and 5
judges of all courts, as provided by 6
R.S. 11:1371 and R.S. 11:1381, be it 7
more or less estimated at 	$1,609,4818
10 Judicial College 	$ 219,0219
Program Description: The Judicial College was established by order of the Supreme Court in 1976 to10
provide continuing legal education to Louisiana judges. 11
11 State contribution to judicial  12
retirement provided for in Article V, 13
Section 23 of the Constitution and 14
R.S. 11:551 et seq., be it more or 15
less estimated at 	$12,234,76116
12 Civil commitment matters as 17
required by R.S. 28:54	$ 160,64018
13 Paul M. Hebert Law Center for the expenses 19
of storage of appellate court records $ 60,00020
14 Funding for statewide operations of the 21
Louisiana Protective Order Registry 22
(R.S. 46:2136.2) under the Case 23
Management Information System 	$1,268,69824
15 Payable out of the State General Fund for the 25
expenses associated with the operation of the 26
Families in Need of Services Program (FINS)	$2,020,23327
Program Description:  The mission of the FINS Assistance Program is to assist local FINS processes by28
developing and implementing a needs-based allocation formula; developing, implementing, and mandating29
the use of a uniform data system for tracking, managing, and reporting FINS informal cases; developing30
and mandating the use of programmatic standards; developing, implementing, and reporting performance31
indicators and measures; requiring and monitoring periodic fiscal reports and financial accountability;32
and, generally supervising and assisting local FINS processes in other ways. 33
16 Drug court maintenance and enhancement $11,221,41734
Program Description:  Drug treatment courts, authorized in 1977 by R.S. 13:5301 through R.S. 13:5304,35
provided integrated substance abuse treatment, sanctions, and incentives with case processing to place36
low-level, nonviolent drug-involved defendants in community-based, judicially supervised rehabilitation37
programs. Clients are regularly tested and monitored for compliance with educational, employment, and38
treatment requirements set by the court.  39
17 Court Appointed Special Advocates	$2,492,81340
Program Description:  The purpose of the CASA Assistance Program is to promote timely placement of41
children in need of care in permanent, safe and stable homes, in accordance with the provisions of42
Children's Code articles 424-426.  Services are provided through local CASA programs which recruit,43
screen, train and supervise community advocates. Upon appointment by the trial judge, qualified44
advocates serve children by providing independent factual information to the judge, advocating for the best45
interest of the children, monitoring cases to which they have been assigned, and advising and assisting the46
judge in the determination of the best interest of the children involved. 47
TOTAL - GENERAL FUND	$ 54,830,90848 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
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18 Payable out of the State General Fund 1
from Statutory Dedications, Judges' 2
Supplemental Compensation Fund, 3
R. S. 13:10.3, be it more or less 4
estimated at 	$6,000,0005
Program Description:  The Judges' supplemental Compensation Fund was established by the Legislature6
in 1985 to fund salary supplements and salary-related expenses to judges and commissioners. The funding7
source is a non-refundable filing fee assessed on civil filings as provided in R.S. 13:10.3. 8
19 Payable out of the State General Fund 9
from Statutory Dedications, Trial Court 10
Case Management Information Fund, for 11
the Case Management Information System, 12
Article 887 (F) of the Code of Criminal 13
Procedure, be it more or less estimated at $3,497,65114
Program Description:  The Case Management Information System (CMIS) was created by the Supreme15
Court in 1993 to provide a statewide information system for tracking and managing criminal, civil,16
juvenile, traffic, and appellate cases as well as protective orders. Data is received from courts statewide,17
transferred to the CMIS repository, and made available from the Department of Public Safety &18
Corrections. CMIS is funded from a court case assessed on all criminal and traffic convictions as19
provided under C.Cr.P.887(F). 20
TOTAL - STATE GENERAL FUND21
BY STATUTORY DEDICATIONS 	$9,497,65122
20 Drug court maintenance and enhancement, payable 23
out of the State General Fund through Interagency24
Transfers from the Department of Children and25
Family Services	$ 6,000,00026
21 Court Appointed Special Advocates, payable out of27
the State General Fund through Interagency Transfers28
from the Department of Children and Family29
Services	$4,670,00030
TOTAL - STATE GENERAL FUND 31
THROUGH INTERAGENCY TRANSFERS	$10,670,00032
TOTAL SUPREME COURT 	$74,998,55933
03-8171COURTS OF APPEAL34
Program Description: The five courts of appeal, domiciled in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lake Charles,35
New Orleans, and Gretna, have supervisory jurisdiction over all cases arising within their respective36
circuits, subject to the general supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Each court of appeal also37
has appellate jurisdiction over all civil matters, all matters appealed from family and juvenile courts, and38
all criminal cases triable by a jury which arise within its circuit, except for those cases appealable directly39
to the Supreme Court or to the district courts.40
Mission Statement:  The mission of the appellate courts of Louisiana is to provide meaningful access to41
all who seek review under the Courts' appellate and supervisory jurisdiction granted by the Louisiana42
Constitution while protecting and promoting the rule of law, preserving the public trust, and using public43
resources efficiently. 44
Goal:  To protect the rule of law.45
Objective:  To provide a reasonable opportunity for multi-judge review of decisions46
made by lower tribunals. 47
General Performance Information:48
2008 2009 201049
Total appeals filed	2,671 2,597 2,58750
Total writs filed	5,402 5,043 5,10251
Total dispositions rendered 6,676 6,913 6,53052 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
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Goal:  To promote the rule of law. 1
Objective:  To resolve case expeditiously. 2
General Performance Information:3
2008 2009 20104
Average number of days from lodging of the 5
appeal to argument:6
Time Standard = no more than 175 days. 7
Criminal cases 	145 150 1458
Civil Cases 	140 147 1599
Total 	142 148 15210
Average number of days from argument to 11
rendering of the opinion:12
Time Standard = no more than 70 days. 13
Criminal cases 	37 37 3914
Civil cases	43 39 3715
Total	40 38 3816
Goal:  To preserve public trust. 17
Objective:  To facilitate public access to the decisions of the courts of appeal. 18
General Performance Information:19
2008 2009 201020
Percentage of written opinions available 21
to the public within 5 days of decision100% 100% 100%22
Payable out of the State General Fund:23
01 Salaries of five (5) Chief Judges24
and forty-eight (48) Judges of 25
the Courts of Appeal, R.S. 13:311	$6,949,32826
02 Salaries and expenses of operation and 27
maintenance of the Court of Appeal, 28
First Circuit	$9,621,81929
03 Salaries and expenses of operation and 30
maintenance of the Court of Appeal, 31
Second Circuit	$5,433,78432
04 Salaries and expenses of operation and 33
maintenance of the Court of Appeal, 34
Third Circuit	$8,256,91635
05 Salaries and expenses of operation and 36
maintenance of the Court of Appeal, 37
Fourth Circuit	$7,583,72738
06 Salaries and expenses of operation and 39
maintenance of the Court of Appeal, 40
Fifth Circuit	$5,634,96041
TOTAL COURTS OF APPEAL	$43,480,53442 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
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03-8172DISTRICT COURTS 1
Program Description:  There are forty-one district courts in Louisiana that have general jurisdiction over2
all matters within their territorial limits, except in those judicial districts (the 1st, the 19th, and the 24th3
Judicial Districts) where family and juvenile courts have exclusive jurisdiction over certain types of cases4
and except in Orleans Parish where there are separate courts exercising civil, criminal, and juvenile5
jurisdictions, respectively. In certain cases, the forty-one general jurisdiction courts have concurrent6
jurisdiction with justices of the peace and parish courts.  The district courts generally have appellate7
jurisdiction of criminal cases tried by city, parish, municipal, traffic, and mayors' courts, except in certain8
cases. The district courts also have appellate jurisdiction over justices of the peace in parishes where no9
parish courts exist. The Civil District Court of Orleans Parish has jurisdiction of all civil cases in that10
parish. The Criminal District Court of Orleans Parish has jurisdiction over all criminal cases in the11
parish. It also has general supervisory jurisdiction over the municipal and traffic courts in Orleans12
Parish. The Family Court of East Baton Rouge Parish has exclusive jurisdiction of many domestic cases13
in the parish. The four juvenile courts located in Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, and Orleans14
parishes have exclusive jurisdiction of juvenile cases in their respective parishes. 15
Mission Statement:  The mission of the trial courts of Louisiana is to provide access16
to justice, to meet all responsibilities in a timely and expeditious manner, to provide17
equality, fairness, and integrity in their proceedings, to maintain judicial independence18
and accountability, and to reach a fair and just result by adherence to the procedural19
and substantive law, thereby instilling trust and confidence in the public.  20
Goal:  To establish a more open and accessible system of justice.  21
Objective:  To encourage responsible parties to make court facilities safe, accessible,22
and convenient. 23
General Performance Information:24
20082009201025
Percentage of surveyed district court chief judges indicating 26
actions taken in FY 2009-2010 to improve compliance with27
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 74.5%93.5%89.6%28
Objective:  To encourage all responsible public bodies and public officers to make the29
costs of access to the trial court's proceedings and records - whether measured in terms30
of money, time, or the procedures that must be followed - reasonable, fair, and31
affordable.  32
General Performance Information:33
20082009201034
Percentage of surveyed district court chief judges indicating 35
actions taken in FY 2009-2010 to assist pro se litigants 95.7%100% 100%36
Goal: To meet all responsibilities to everyone affected by the court and its activities37
in a timely and expeditious manner.  38
Objective:  To encourage timely case management and processing. 39
General Performance Information:40
20082009201041
Number of parishes reporting criminal disposition42
data to CMIS	59 556243
Percentage of parishes reporting criminal disposition44
data to CMIS	92%85.9%96.9%45
Percentage of surveyed district court chief judges 46
indicating that their courts had taken steps within47
FY 2009-2010 to reduce delays and improve the 48
timeliness of case processing 	95.7%97.9%97.9%49
Objective:  To enhance jury service. 50
General Performance Information:51
20082009201052
Percentage of surveyed district court chief judges indicating53
that their court had taken steps within FY 2009-201054
to make jury service more convenient or effective 76.2%100% 97.7%55 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
Page 8 of 14
Goal: To provide due process and equal protection of the law to all who have business1
before the court; and to demonstrate integrity in all procedures and decisions. 2
Objective:  To recognize new conditions or emerging events and to adjust court operations3
as necessary.4
General Performance Information:5
2008200920106
Percentage of surveyed district court chief judges indicating 7
actions taken in FY 2009-2010 to improve employee8
training and development 	89.4%100% 87.5%9
Percentage of surveyed district court chief judges indicating 10
actions taken in FY 2009-2010 to install or implement 11
technologies	91.5%97.9%95.8%12
Goal: To maintain judicial independence, while observing the principle of comity in13
its governmental relations and accountability to the public. 14
Objective:  To inform the community of the court's structure and function. 15
General Performance Information: 16
20082009201017
Percentage of surveyed district court chief judges indicating 18
that their courts regularly provided public education 19
and public outreach services in FY 2009-2010 100%97.9%97.9%20
Payable out of the State General Fund: 21
01 Salaries of one hundred ninety-one22
(191) District Judges as provided 23
by R.S. 13:691	$23,787,82724
02 Office and travel expenses of District 25
Judges as provided by R.S. 13:694 and 26
R.S.13:698, respectively	$1,292,60027
03 Salaries of fourteen (14) Judges of 28
Civil District Court, Orleans Parish,29
as provided by R.S. 13:691	$1,743,61130
04 Expenses of Judges of Civil District 31
Court, Parish of Orleans, for salaries32
of stenographers, clerks, law books, 33
stationery, telephone, and like expenses34
as provided by R.S. 13:694	$ 78,40035
05 Salaries of two (2) Court Reporters36
of the Twentieth Judicial District Court, 37
including retirement contributions, as 38
provided by R.S. 13:966.1	$ 105,80539
06 Clerk of Civil District Court, Orleans 40
Parish, as provided by R.S. 13:1212(A)	$ 10,00041
07 State share of Group, Workers' 42
Compensation, General Liability, 43
and Property Insurance Premiums 44
as provided by R.S.42:851	$5,869,93145
08 Salaries of two (2) commissioners of 46
the Nineteenth Judicial District and 47
one (1) commissioner of the Fifteenth 48
Judicial District as provided by 49
R.S. 13:712 and R.S. 13:715, 50
respectively	$ 467,48251 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
Page 9 of 14
09 Office expenses for the Judicial 1
Expense Fund of the Nineteenth Judicial 2
District Court as provided by 3
R.S. 13:711-713	$ 432,8284
10 Office expenses for the Judicial 5
Expense Fund of the Fifteenth6
Judicial District Court as provided 7
by R.S. 13:714-716	$ 275,3158
11 Law Clerk, Twentieth Judicial District 9
Court as provided by Act 747 of 1977	$ 44,28310
11
12 For the expenses of the Judicial Expense12
Fund, Tenth Judicial District Court as 13
provided by Act 57 of 2006 	$ 35,00014
SUBTOTAL	$34,143,08215
13 Criminal Court - Parish of Orleans 16
Program Description:  The Criminal District Court for the Parish of Orleans has exclusive jurisdiction17
of the trial and punishment of all crimes, misdemeanors, and offenses committed within the parish of18
Orleans, if the jurisdiction is not vested by law in some other court. The court, through its magistrate and19
with assistance from its commissioners, has the power of committing magistrates in all felony charges and20
the power to hold preliminary examinations, with authority to bail or discharge, or to hold for trial, in all21
cases before the court.  The court has appellate jurisdiction of all cases tried before the Municipal Court22
of New Orleans and the Traffic Court of New Orleans and has general supervisory jurisdiction over these23
courts.24
A.Salaries of thirteen (13) District Judges of 25
Criminal Court, Orleans Parish as provided 26
by R.S. 13:691	$1,619,06727
B.Office expenses of Judges of Criminal Court, 28
Orleans Parish and the state's share of group 29
insurance for the personnel of Criminal Court as 30
provided by R.S. 13:694 and R.S. 42:851, respectively $ 664,64231
C.Salaries of thirteen (13) minute clerks as provided 32
by R.S. 13:1373.1	$ 260,81433
D.Salaries of twenty-six (26) court reporters as 34
provided by R.S. 13:1373.1	$ 412,18735
E.Salaries of four (4) commissioners of Criminal 36
Court, Orleans Parish, including related benefits37
as provided by R.S. 13:1347	$ 396,36538
F.Office and travel expenses of commissioners as 39
provided by R.S. 13:1347	$ 10,00040
G.Salaries of four (4) minute clerks, one for each 41
commissioner as provided by R.S. 13:1347	$ 66,89542
H.Salaries of four (4) court reporters, one for each 43
commissioner as provided by R.S. 13:1347	$ 50,43044
I.Salaries of Judicial Administrator, and assistants, 45
including related benefits	$ 876,76846
J.Salaries of thirteen (13) law clerks 	$ 694,87247 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
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K.Salaries of four (4) secretaries 	$ 193,8901
L.Sanity Commissions 	$ 163,9562
M.Board of Jury Commissioners	$ 355,6373
SUBTOTAL	$5,765,5234
14 Juvenile and Family Court Judges 5
A.Salaries of fourteen (14) Juvenile Court6
Judges as provided by R.S. 13:691	$1,743,6117
B.Salaries of four (4) Family Court Judges 8
as provided by R.S. 13:691	$ 498,1759
C.Office expenses of Juvenile and Family 10
Court Judges as provided by R.S. 13:694 11
and R.S. 13:698, respectively	$ 100,80012
SUBTOTAL	$2,342,58613
TOTAL DISTRICT COURTS	$42,251,19114
03-8173OTHER COURTS - SALARIES AND OFFICE EXPENSES AS REQUIRED15
BY STATUTE16
Program Description:  The category includes forty-seven city courts, one municipal court (New Orleans),17
one traffic court (New Orleans), and one parish court (Ascension Parish). 18
Mission Statement:  The mission of the city and parish courts of Louisiana is to provide19
access to justice, to meet all responsibilities in a timely and expeditious manner, to20
provide equality, fairness and integrity in their proceedings, to maintain judicial21
independence and accountability, and to reach a fair and just result by adherence to the22
procedural and substantive law, thereby instilling trust and confidence in the public. 23
Goal:  To establish a more open and accessible system of justice.  24
Objective:  To encourage all responsible public bodies and public officers to make the25
costs of access to the court's proceedings and records - whether measured in terms of26
money, time, or the procedures that must be followed - reasonable, fair, and affordable.27
General Performance Information:28
20082009201029
Percentage of surveyed city/parish court chief judges indicating 30
actions taken in FY 2009-2010 to assist pro 31
se litigants 	91.2%98.1%100%32
Goal:  To meet all responsibilities to everyone affected by the court and its33
activities in a timely and expeditious manner. 34
Objective:  To encourage timely case management and processing. 35
General Performance Information:36
20082009201037
Percentage of surveyed city/parish court chief judges 38
indicating that their courts had taken steps within 39
FY 2009-2010 to reduce delays and improve the40
timeliness of case processing	88%94.2%88.5%41
Goal: To maintain judicial independence, while observing the principle of comity in42
its governmental relations and accountability to the public. 43
Objective:  To inform the community of the court's structure and function. 44
General Performance Information:45
20082009201046
Percentage of surveyed city/parish court chief judges indicating 47
that their courts regularly provided public education and48
public outreach services in FY 2009-2010 95.9%94.2%94.2%49 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
Page 11 of 14
Objective:  To recognize new conditions or emerging events and to adjust court1
operations as necessary. 2
General Performance Information:3
2008 200920104
Percentage of surveyed city/parish court chief judges indicating5
actions taken in FY 2009-2010 to improve 6
employee training and development	88% 92.3%94.2%7
Percentage of surveyed city/parish court chief judges indicating8
actions taken in FY 2009-2010 to install or 9
implement technologies 	86.3%94.2%88.5%10
Payable out of the State General Fund: 11
01 Salaries of sixty (60) City Court12
Judges as provided by R.S. 13:1875	$2,412,714 13
02 Salaries of four (4) Municipal, four (4)14
Traffic and one (1) Parish Court15
Judges as provided by R.S. 13:2492,16
13:2501.1, and 13:2563.5, respectively $ 389,15617
TOTAL OTHER COURTS REQUI RED BY STATUTE 	$2,801,87018
03-8174OTHER COURTS - SALARIES AND OFFICE EXPENSES NOT19
REQUIRED BY STATUTE 20
Payable out of the State General Fund:21
01 Orleans Parish Juvenile Protective 22
Care Monitoring Program 	$ 527,24923
Program Description:  The program tracks and maintains child abuse and neglect cases in the Orleans24
Parish Juvenile Court. It also provides assistance in support of the Families in Need of Services Program.25
02 Orleans Parish Juvenile Court Reporters $ 88,05526
03 For the expenses of the Judges' 27
Assistance Program 	$ 30,00028
Program Description:  The Judges' Assistance Program provides counseling and other assistance to judges29
with substance abuse problems. 30
TOTAL OTHER COURTS NOT REQUI RED BY STATUTE 	$ 645,30431
Section 2. The appropriations, and the allocations of such appropriations, from the State32
General Fund (Direct) contained in Section 1 of this Act shall be reduced by a total amount33
of Nine Million Six Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Three and34
No/100 ($9,647,373.00) Dollars, pursuant to a plan adopted by the Judicial Budgetary Control35
Board or as approved by the Louisiana Supreme Court.36
Section 3.A. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or her duly authorized and37
appointed agent, shall warrant the state treasurer for the allocations herein provided, or for38
so much thereof as may be necessary.  The aforesaid warrant shall be paid out of the state39
general fund, and the state treasurer shall pay said warrant by preference over all other40
warrants, except warrants for the salaries of constitutional officers of the state and warrants41 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
Page 12 of 14
for expenses of the legislature, which shall be concurrent with the warrant provided by this1
Act.2
B. The funds drawn as provided herein shall be deposited in the name of the judiciary in3
an approved bank that has been selected by the Supreme Court and is located in the state. 4
C. Any funds herein allocated to the judiciary, any portion of the funds previously5
appropriated to the judiciary, other revenue of the judiciary or its agencies, and interest6
earnings are hereby appropriated and may be used to defray the expenses of the judiciary;7
however, all funds remaining unexpended or unencumbered shall be returnable to the state8
general fund on or before September 1, 2012.9
D. For Fiscal Year 2011-2012, any surpluses occurring in the appropriations made in this10
Act may be transferred from one agency or line-item to another during the fiscal year in11
accordance with the rules of the Judicial Budgetary Control Board, or as approved by the12
Supreme Court. 13
E. The adjustment to be made in the salaries of judicial employees and the number of14
authorized positions of the judiciary shall be as decided by the judicial agency affected,15
subject to the approval of the Judicial Budgetary Control Board or as approved by the16
Supreme Court.17
F. The program descriptions, general performance information and indicators, objectives,18
goals, and mission statements contained in this Act are not part of the law and are not enacted19
into law by virtue of their inclusion in this Act. The missions, goals, and objectives contained20
in the Act are derived from performance standards established by Section 10 of Part G21
General Administrative Rules of the Supreme Court of Louisiana. 22
G. The inclusion in this Act of staff salaries and benefits for lower court or other judicial23
branch agency employees shall not be deemed to create or impose any obligation upon the24
State of Louisiana Judicial Branch, the Supreme Court of Louisiana, the Judicial Budgetary25
Control Board, or the Supreme Court Judicial Administrator's Office relative to the26
administration of pay, retirement or other benefits to any such employees.  Accordingly, the27
State of Louisiana Judicial Branch, the Supreme Court of Louisiana, the Judicial Budgetary28
Control Board, and the Supreme Court Judicial Administrator's Office are not to be29
considered the "employer" or "employing agency" of lower court or other judicial agency30
employees whose staff salaries and other benefits are included in this Act. 31 HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
Page 13 of 14
Section 4. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2011;  if vetoed by the governor and1
subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1, 2011, or2
on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.  3
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT
In accordance with R.S. 39:51(D), the following represents a comparative statement for each
Court and program.  The operating budget for FY 2010-2011 is compared to the
appropriations for FY 2011-2012 as contained in the original bill.
Operating Budget Appropriation Request
Courts and ProgramsFY 2010-2011	FY 2011-2012
Supreme Court
Total Supreme Court$59,325,841	$65,500,908
Courts of Appeal
Total Courts of Appeal$40,948,216	$43,480,534
District Courts
Total District Courts$41,349,133	$42,251,191
Other Courts
Total Other Courts$ 2,801,870	$ 2,801,870
Other Programs
Total Other Programs$    607,374	$    645,304
Total State General Fund 
and Interagency Transfer
All Line Items $145,032,434$154,679,807
Total Statutory Dedications $   9,325,904$   9,497,651
Total Funding $154,358,338	$164,177,458
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument.  The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.  [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Fannin	HB No. 608
Abstract: Appropriates funds for FY 2011-2012 for expenses of the Louisiana Judiciary,
including the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, district courts, Criminal Court of Orleans
Parish, juvenile and family courts, and other courts. 
Appropriates funds for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 for the ordinary operating expenses of the
judicial branch of government with total funding of $154,530,085 from the following sources:
$134,362,434 out of the State General Fund (Direct); $10,670,000 through interagency
transfers from the Dept. of Children and Family Services; and, $9,497,651 from statutory
dedications out of the Judges' Supplemental Compensation Fund and the Trial Court Case
Management Fund.   HLS 11RS-32	REENGROSSED
HB NO. 608
Page 14 of 14
Funding for the ordinary operating expenses of the judicial branch of government is provided
as follows, subject to the reduction provided for below: 
(1)Louisiana Supreme  Court	$74,998,559
(2)Courts of Appeal	43,480,534
(3)District Courts	34,143,082
(4)Criminal Court, Parish of Orleans	5,765,523
(5)Juvenile and Family Courts	2,342,586
(6)Other Courts (Required by Statute)	2,801,870
(7)Other Courts (Not Required by Statute)         645,304
TOTAL	$164,177,458
Provides that the appropriations out of the State General Fund (Direct) contained in this Act
shall be reduced by a total amount of $9,647,373 pursuant to a plan adopted by the Judicial
Budgetary Control Board or as approved by the La. Supreme Court.
Effective July 1, 2011.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the
original bill.
1. Provided for a change in means of financing to decrease State General Fund
(Direct) and increase Interagency Transfers from the Dept. of Children and
Family Services by $10,670,000 for drug court maintenance and enhancement and
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
2. Added requirement that appropriations contained in this Act be reduced by a total
amount of $9,647,373 pursuant to a plan adopted by the Judicial Budgetary
Control Board or as approved by the La. Supreme Court.