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)]
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP ORT DIGEST
HB 327 2017 Regular Session Schexnayder
Keyword and oneliner of the instrument as it left the House
COURTS/DISTRICT: Establishes the Ascension Parish Courthouse Fund for the construction of
a new courthouse for the Twenty-Third Judicial District Court and the Ascension Parish Court
Report adopts Senate amendments to:
1. Remove provisions in proposed law prohibiting the state, any political subdivision, the 23
rd
JDC, the Ascension Parish Court, the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court, the Ascension Parish
Council, and the Louisiana Legislature from impairing the rights and remedies of holders of
bonds, the security for bonds, or other indebtedness issued in connection with the new
Ascension Parish courthouse and the renovation or conversion of an existing courthouse
building until the bonds or other indebtedness are paid in full and discharged.
Report amends the bill to:
1. Changes the effective date for the increase in court costs or fees from when the Judicial
Council reviews such request and makes a recommendation to the legislature in its 2018 to
effective upon Judicial Council approval.
Digest of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
Proposed law establishes the Ascension Parish Courthouse Fund for the construction of a new
courthouse for the 23
rd
JDC in Ascension Parish and the Ascension Parish Court, and the
renovation or conversion of the existing courthouse.
Proposed law provides for the following charges to be imposed and collected in all cases over
which the 23
rd
JDC for the parish of Ascension and the Ascension Parish Court have jurisdiction:
(1)$150 per initial filing of a civil suit. (2)$30 per filing of each additional pleading.
Proposed law provides that these charges shall be in addition to other civil filing fees levied and
collected by the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court. Proposed law further provides that such
charges shall be imposed by the judges of the 23
rd
JDC acting en banc and the Ascension Parish
Court judge.
Proposed law provides that monies generated by proposed law shall be held by the Ascension
Parish Clerk of Court, remitted at least monthly to the Dept. of Finance for the parish, and
irrevocably deposited into the Ascension Parish Courthouse Fund. Proposed law further provides
for the purpose and use of the fund.
Proposed law provides that once bonds have been matured or have been satisfied in full and there
is no other indebtedness outstanding to the Ascension Parish courthouse, the judges and the
Ascension Parish Council shall reduce the amount of the filing fee to an amount sufficient for the
continued operation and maintenance of the Ascension Parish courthouse.
Proposed law provides for the ownership and control of the Ascension Parish Courthouse Fund
and provides for the obligations of the Ascension Parish Council.
Proposed law provides procedures regarding the use of surplus funds and authorizes the
reduction of the filing charges. Proposed law further authorizes the use of cooperative endeavor
agreements in conjunction with the design, construction, renovation, equipping, operation,
furnishing and maintenance of the new Ascension Parish courthouse.
Effective upon Judicial Council approval.
(Adds R.S. 13:996.69)