HLS 12RS-179 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 510
BY REPRESENTATIVE BURFORD
JUDGES/JUSTICE OF PEACE: Provides for the territorial jurisdiction and election
districts of the justice of the peace courts and constables in DeSoto Parish
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 13:2621, relative to the DeSoto Parish justice of the peace courts; to provide2
for the territorial jurisdiction of such courts; to provide relative to the election to the3
offices of justice of the peace and constable; to provide for effective dates; and to4
provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 13:2621 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 7
ยง2621. Territorial jurisdiction; DeSoto Parish justice of the peace courts8
A. The territorial limits of the justice of the peace courts in DeSoto Parish9
shall be as follows:10
(1) The first justice of the peace district and court shall consist of precincts11
in DeSoto Parish.12
(2) The second justice of the peace district and court shall consist of13
precincts in DeSoto Parish.14
(3) The third justice of the peace district and court shall consist of precincts15
in DeSoto Parish.16
(4) The fourth justice of the peace district and court shall consist of precincts17
in DeSoto Parish18
(5) The fifth justice of the peace district and court shall consist of precincts19
in DeSoto Parish.20 HLS 12RS-179 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 510
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(6) The sixth justice of the peace district and court shall consist of precincts1
in DeSoto Parish.2
B. The districts provided in Subsection A of this Section shall be effective3
for election purposes with the opening of the qualifying period for the regularly4
scheduled 2012 primary election for justices of the peace and constables, and the5
persons elected to the offices of justice of the peace and constable for such justice6
of the peace courts in DeSoto Parish at the next regularly scheduled election and7
their successors shall be elected from the districts provided in Subsection A of this8
Section. The provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall be effective for all9
other purposes beginning January 1, 2013.10
Section 3.(A) The precincts referenced in this Act are those Voting Districts (VTDs)11
contained in the 2010 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line Shapefiles for Parish of DeSoto in12
the State of Louisiana.13
(B) When a precinct referenced in this Act has been subdivided by action of the14
parish governing authority on a nongeographic basis or subdivided by action of the parish15
governing authority on a geographic basis in accordance with the provisions of R.S.16
18:532.1, the enumeration in this Act of the general precinct designation shall include all17
nongeographic and all geographic subdivisions thereof, however such subdivisions may be18
designated. The territorial limits of the districts as provided in this Act shall continue in19
effect without change regardless of any changes made to the precincts by the parish20
governing authority.21
Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not22
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature23
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If24
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become25
effective on the day following such approval.26 HLS 12RS-179 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 510
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
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)]
Burford HB No. 510
Abstract: Redistricts the justice of the peace courts and constable districts in DeSoto
Parish.
Presently there are six justice of the peace courts in DeSoto Parish. Each elects a justice of
the peace and a constable.
Proposed law changes the territorial jurisdiction of the six justice of the peace courts in
DeSoto Parish and therefore the election districts for justice of the peace and constable.
Proposed law provides that the districts provided in proposed law shall be effective for
election purposes with the opening of the qualifying period for the 2012 primary election for
justice of the peace and constables and that the persons elected to the offices of justice of the
peace and constable for such justice of the peace courts at the next regularly scheduled
election and their successors shall be elected from the districts provided in proposed law.
Proposed law provides that the districts provided in proposed law shall be effective for all
other purposes on Jan. 1, 2013.
Proposed law specifies that precincts referenced in district descriptions are those precincts
identified as Voting Districts (VTDs) in the 2010 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line
Shapefiles for parish of DeSoto, state of La. Also specifies that if any such precinct has been
subdivided by action of the parish governing authority on a nongeographic basis or
subdivided by action of the parish governing authority on a geographic basis in accordance
with present law, the enumeration of the general precinct designation shall include all
nongeographic and all geographic subdivisions thereof. Further provides that the territorial
limits of the districts as enacted shall continue in effect without change regardless of any
changes made to the precincts by the parish governing authority.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 13:2621)