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)]
HB 299 Original 2015 Regular Session Chaney
Abstract: Authorizes the transfer of surplus witness fees for off-duty law enforcement officers from
each parish governing authority in the Sixth Judicial District to the criminal court fund in the
Sixth Judicial District Court.
Present law requires that witness fees be paid from court costs collected in individual cases tried in
district or parish courts or in any court with juvenile jurisdiction or cases in which there is a plea of
guilty or conviction. All of such costs shall be placed in a special fund that shall be maintained and
be administered by the governing authority.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law requires all parish governing authorities within the 6
th
Judicial District to transfer all
surplus monies in the special fund that exceed $2,000 at the end of each calendar year to the criminal
court fund of the 6
th
JDC by Jan. 31
st
of each calendar year to be used for the same purposes that the
present funds are being used.
Proposed law defines "special fund" as the special fund provided for in present law, and "surplus
monies" as the amount of money which is in each special fund at the end of each calendar year and
which is in excess of the total amount paid from each special fund as witness fees for off-duty law
enforcement officers in that calendar year.
Proposed law prohibits any money obligated to be paid to any officer or agency for an off-duty law
enforcement court appearance from being considered surplus money.
(Adds R.S. 15:255(R))