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 104 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Leopold
Abstract: Increases the fees and costs in civil and criminal cases from a maximum of $15 to a
maximum of $35 for the 25
th
JDC.
Present law requires the clerk of court of the 25
th
JDC to collect from every person filing any type
of civil suit or proceeding, who is not otherwise exempted by law from the payment of court costs,
a sum not to exceed $15.
Proposed law retains present law but increases the sum from a maximum of $15 to a maximum of
$35.
Present law requires in all criminal cases in the 25
th
JDC that every defendant, who is convicted after
trial or after a guilty plea or who forfeits his bond, be assessed costs not to exceed $15 which shall
be in addition to all other fines, costs, or forfeitures lawfully imposed.
Proposed law retains present law but increases the costs from a maximum of $15 to a maximum of
$35.
Proposed law provides for the increase in costs to become effective if and when the Judicial Council
reviews such request and makes a recommendation to the legislature in its 2018 report that the fees
meet the applicable guidelines.
(Amends R.S. 13:996.66(A))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original bill:
1. Remove the emergency effective date, and provide that the increase in court costs will
become effective if and when the Judicial Council reviews the request and makes its
recommendation to the legislature in its 2018 report.
2. Add technical amendments.