RESUMEHB874 474 7145
Stuart Bishop (HB 874) Act No. 204
New law establishes a litigation reporting requirement for state agencies. Provides with
respect to such reporting as follows:
Requires the head of each agency to annually report to the legislature on all civil actions that
were brought in a court of law by the agency as a named party plaintiff and that were
instituted, pending, or concluded during the preceding calendar year. Requires the attorney
general to do the same with respect to civil actions brought by the state as a named party
plaintiff. Requires that each report contain the following:
(1)The names of all plaintiffs and defendants, the court and docket number, the cause
of action, and the relief sought.
(2)The current status of the case, including whether the case has been heard, whether
there is a final judgment therein, whether the case has settled, and whether an appeal
has been taken.
(3)The names of all outside counsel representing the agency or the state and the
agreement with the agency or the state and any other arrangement for compensation.
Defines "civil action"; provides that civil action does not include criminal matters, matters
involving interstate compacts, actions to make executory the judgment or order of an
adjudicatory body, and actions brought pursuant to existing law (Enforcement of Foreign
Judgments Act).
Specifies the state agencies to which new law is applicable and excludes the following from
the reporting requirements: cases brought by the Dept. of Children and Family Services
pursuant to the La. Children's Code or to Title 46 of the La. Revised Statutes; cases brought
by the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections involving the Motor Vehicle Safety
Responsibility Law (compulsory motor vehicle insurance); cases brought by the Dept. of
Revenue to collect less than $10,000 of state taxes owed; cases brought by the Dept. of
Wildlife and Fisheries for class one violations of hunting and fishing regulations; and cases
brought by the La. Workforce Commission involving recovery of unemployment insurance
payments and workers' compensation fraud.
Further requires a quarterly report, submitted by electronic mail to the David R. Poynter
Legislative Research Library, on all civil actions filed by an agency since the last report.
Provides with respect to the form and content of the quarterly report.
Provides for the filing deadline and reporting period of initial reports.
Effective July 1, 2014.
(Adds R.S. 36:8.1)