The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Sharon F. Lyles.
DIGEST
Ward (SB 644)
Present law requires each traffic enforcement officer to deposit the original citation or a copy of
each traffic citation with a "court" having jurisdiction over the alleged offense or with the
appropriate "traffic violations bureau". However, a citation for a violation of R.S. 32:80(A) must
be deposited only with a court and not with a traffic violations bureau.
Proposed law deletes the authorization in present law to deposit the citation with a "court" or
with a "traffic violations bureau" if the citation is issued to a violator on a "highway in the state"
and instead requires deposit specifically in a state district court. "Highway in the state" is defined
as a highway in this state which is in the system of state highways created and established in R.S.
48:191 and all federal highways and interstates.
However, the provision in present law requiring deposit with a "court" or with a "traffic
violations bureau" is retained for the municipalities of Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Bossier City,
Grand Isle, Kenner, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, Monroe, New Orleans, and Shreveport, or
if the citation is issued for a violation not on a "highway in the state" as defined in the proposed
law.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 32:398.2(A) and (B))