Louisiana House Bill HB421

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/2/15
• Refer: 4/2/15
• Refer: 4/13/15

Caption

Appropriates funds for payment of judgment in the matter of "Stephanie Marie Landry and Tommie Varnado, Jr. v. City of New Orleans, Leonard D'Arensbourg and State of Louisiana, through the DOTD"

Impact

The passing of HB421 impacts state finance by mandating the appropriation of funds to settle a legal judgment, relieving the state from potential further legal fees or liabilities associated with ongoing litigation or appeals. The bill demonstrates the state's commitment to resolving legal matters expeditiously, which may allow local government entities to move forward without the burden of drawn-out disputes. This appropriation indicates legislative acknowledgment of legal responsibilities and financial obligations stemming from judicial decisions.

Summary

House Bill 421 is an appropriation bill that allocates $135,000 from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2015-2016 to cover the payment of a consent judgment in the civil case 'Stephanie Marie Landry and Tommie Varnado, Jr. v. City of New Orleans, Leonard D'Arensbourg and State of Louisiana, through the Department of Transportation and Development'. This judgment relates to a specific legal action brought against the city and the state involving allegations that require compensation to be paid to the plaintiffs.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB421 appears to be neutral, focusing primarily on fiscal responsibility and legal compliance. The bill does not present controversial provisions or polarizing issues within the legislative discussions, rather it reflects the administrative aspects of state governance and the outcome of a specific legal issue that needed resolution. Support for the bill is likely to stem from a sense of obligation to fulfill financial judgments, while opposition, if any, might arise from discussions on budget allocations.

Contention

While there are no significant points of contention reported in the legislative transcripts concerning HB421, the underlying issue is the allocation of state funds towards legal debts, which could be debated regarding priorities in state budgeting. The bill may face scrutiny from fiscal conservatives or those advocating for specific community funding needs, questioning whether the state should prioritize legal judgements over other pressing fiscal responsibilities such as education or infrastructure development.