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)]
Alfred Williams HB No. 915
Abstract: Requires the collection of a $50 warrant recall fee in all courts within East Baton
Rouge Parish and provides for the collection and use of such fee.
Proposed law requires the 19th JDC, East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court, Baker City Court,
Zachary City Court, and Baton Rouge City Court to levy and impose a $50 warrant recall fee on
all persons who fail to appear as ordered on all misdemeanor offenses and traffic offenses where
a warrant for arrest is issued and provides that the proceeds of which shall be used to pay the
expenses of operating a misdemeanor detention facility in the parish.
Proposed law requires each clerk of court to place all sums collected or received with the finance
director for the parish of East Baton Rouge, who shall place the funds in a separate account to be
designated as the Misdemeanor Detention Fund.
Proposed law requires all monies in this account to be used solely for the purpose of paying
expenses associated with the operation of a misdemeanor detention facility in the parish and
requires the finance director to conduct an annual audit of the fund and the books and related
accounts and file the audit with the office of the legislative auditor, where it shall be available for
public inspection.
Proposed law requires all law enforcement agencies within the parish to confer for the purpose of
creating and implementing additional pilot programs for the periodic targeted enforcement of
outstanding warrants until sufficient revenues are generated to sustain the permanent operation of
the misdemeanor detention facility.
Proposed law authorizes the mayor-president to expend funds and enter into cooperative
endeavor agreements with all courts, the sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish, and all other law
enforcement agencies within the parish in order to carry out the provisions of proposed law,
subject to the approval of the Metropolitan Council.
Proposed law requires the mayor-president through the finance department to report quarterly to
the Metropolitan council and the courts within the parish on the misdemeanor detention fund,
including recommendations regarding necessary adjustments and the financial feasibility of the
misdemeanor warrant enforcement programs.
(Adds R.S. 13:1000.10, 1415, 2071.1, 2488.40, and 2489.1) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original bill.
1. Added authorization for the clerk of Zachary City Court to levy and impose a $50
warrant recall fee on all persons who fail to appear as ordered on all misdemeanor
offenses and traffic offenses where a warrant for arrest is issued.
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Changed the provision to levy and impose a warrant recall fee in all courts in East
Baton Rouge Parish from permissive to mandatory.