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 112 Original 2020 Regular Session Harris
Abstract: Changes the method judges are chosen from an election process to a selection process.
Present constitution provides for election of judges at the regular congressional election. Provides
that a vacancy must be filled by special election within 12 months after the vacancy occurs or the
judgeship is established, and provides for the supreme court to appoint a person to serve until the
vacancy is filled. Further provides that a judge shall serve through December 31 of the last year of
his term, or if the last year is not in the year of a regular congressional election, then through
December 31 of the following year.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides for the selection of judges as provided by law enacted
by 2/3 of the elected members of each house. Provides for the selection to take place at the same
time as the regular congressional election. Further provides that a vacancy shall be filled as provided
by law. Provides the term for a judge serving on the effective date of this amendment is the
remaining period of his term of office. Selection occurs in the year in which the term expires.
Present constitution provides that the term of office, retirement benefits, and compensation of a
judge shall not be decreased during the term for which he is elected.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution except those decreases cannot occur
during the term for which the judge is selected.
Present constitution provides that judges of the supreme court, court of appeal, district court, family
court, parish court, or juvenile court must be admitted to practice law in the state for a certain
requisite number of years prior to election, and must have been domiciled in the respective district,
circuit, or parish for one year preceding his election.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides for the same bar admittance and domicile as present
constitution prior to selection.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held
Nov. 3, 2020.
(Amends Const. Art. V, §4, §9, §21, §22, and §24)