Morrell (SB 30) Act No. 268
New law creates the Orleans Justice and Rehabilitation Reform Commission to analyze,
study, and recommend improved methods for managing and coordinating justices services
in Orleans Parish. The commission is composed of the following voting members:
(1)The chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary B or his designee who will serve
as chairman of the commission.
(2)The chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary or his designee who will serve
as vice chairman of the commission.
(3)The president of the Senate or his designee.
(4)The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee.
(5)The mayor of the city of New Orleans or his designee.
(6)The chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee of the New Orleans City Council
or his designee.
(7)The chairman of the commission created by HCR 143 of the 2011 RS or his
designee.
In addition, the commission is composed of the following nonvoting members:
(1)The district attorney of the parish of Orleans or his designee.
(2)The chief judge of the Criminal District Court for the parish of Orleans or his
designee.
(3)The chief judge of the Juvenile Court for the parish of Orleans or his designee.
(4)The chief judge of the Traffic Court of New Orleans or his designee.
(5)The chief judge of the Municipal Court for the city of New Orleans or his designee.
(6)The clerk of the Criminal District Court for the parish of Orleans or his designee.
(7)The chief district defender of the Orleans Public Defenders Office or his designee.
(8)The sheriff for the parish of Orleans or his designee.
Provides that the commission shall meet every other month, with two such meetings to be
held in the city of New Orleans annually.
Requires, to the extent permitted by and in accordance with law, each officer, board,
commission, council, department, or agency of state government, and each political
subdivision of the state make available all facts, records, information, and data requested by
the commission and in all ways cooperate with the commission in carrying out its functions
and duties.
Authorizes the commission to establish committees as it deems advisable and feasible, whose
membership shall include at least one member of the commission, but only the commission
itself may take official action.
Requires the commission to issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the Senate
president, the House speaker, the chairmen of the House Committee on Judiciary and Senate
Committee on Judiciary B, no later than March 1, 2016.
Authorizes the commission to adopt rules of procedure for its operation.
Provides that the commission may utilize existing staff of the legislature, including but not
limited to personnel of the legislative fiscal office. The commission shall submit a written
request for approval for specific support and assistance to the presiding officer of the
respective house from which the support and assistance is sought. Support or assistance from
the staff of the legislative fiscal office shall be submitted to the presiding officers of both
houses.
Prohibits any member of the commission from receiving any salary for duties performed as
a member of the commission, except that legislative members shall receive per diem and be
reimbursed for expenses as provided by law and the rules of the Senate or House of
Representatives.
Requires the commission to sunset on March 31, 2016.
Effective August 1, 2013. (Adds R.S. 13:5981-5985)