HLS 18RS-233 ENGROSSED
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 6
BY REPRESENTATIVE CONNICK
CIVIL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to pretrial and scheduling conferences
1 AN ACT
2To enact Code of Civil Procedure Article 1551(D), relative to pretrial procedure; to provide
3 for the setting of a pretrial conference in certain circumstances; to provide for the
4 method of conducting the pretrial conference; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. Code of Civil Procedure Article 1551(D) is hereby enacted to read as
7follows:
8 Art. 1551. Pretrial and scheduling conference; order
9 * * *
10 D. If a suit has been pending for more than one year since the date of filing
11 of the original petition and no trial date has been assigned, upon motion of any party,
12 the court shall set the matter for conference for the purpose of resolving all matters
13 subject to the provisions of this Article, including the scheduling of discovery,
14 assignment for trial, and any other matters that will expedite the resolution of the
15 suit. The conference may be conducted in chambers, by telephone, or by video
16 teleconference.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 18RS-233 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 6
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 6 Engrossed 2018 Regular Session Connick
Abstract: Provides that the court shall set a suit for pretrial conference upon motion of any
party when the suit has been pending for more than one year without a trial date
being set.
Present law provides that a district court may direct the attorneys for the parties to appear
before it for conferences to consider various pretrial matters, including scheduling discovery
time limitations, fact and issue stipulations, witnesses and testimony, and setting a trial date.
Proposed law provides that upon motion of any party when a suit has been pending for more
than one year without a trial date being set, the court shall set the matter for conference for
the purpose of resolving all pretrial matters.
Proposed law provides that the conference may be conducted in chambers, by telephone, or
by video teleconference.
(Adds C.C.P. Art. 1551(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Civil Law and
Procedure to the original bill:
1. Authorize scheduling conferences to be conducted in chambers, by telephone, or
by video teleconference.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.