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Prepared by Julie J. Baxter.
Garofalo HB No. 709
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
JUDGES/JUSTICE OF PEACE. Provides relative to the duties and authority of
justices of the peace.
DIGEST
Present law authorizes a justice of the peace to perform marriage ceremonies within the
parish where the court of that justice of the peace is situated, and in any parish within the
same supreme court district, which has no justice of the peace court.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that a justice of the peace may perform a marriage
ceremony in any parish which has no justice of the peace court, except for Orleans Parish.
Present law authorizes a justice of the peace to appoint a person residing within the territorial
boundaries of the court to serve as a justice of the peace ad hoc for a maximum of 30 days
in each year.
Proposed law requires the justice of the peace to notify the office of the attorney general
within 72 hours of the appointment and to provide the name, address, and telephone number
of the ad hoc justice of the peace.
Present law provides that the justice of the peace ad hoc shall meet the qualifications required
by law for the office of justice of the peace and be paid the same compensation from the
same sources and have the powers and duties of a regular justice of the peace.
Proposed law retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 9:203(A)(5) and R.S. 13:2592(A))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original bill.
1. Made technical amendments.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary A to the engrossed
bill
1. Adds that, except for Orleans Parish, a justice of the peace may perform a
marriage ceremony in any parish which has no justice of the peace court.