(Constitutional Amendment) Provides that the supreme court shall be composed of nine justices (Item #6) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Impact
If passed, the bill would alter the structure of the Louisiana Supreme Court, potentially affecting case rulings and judicial efficiency. By increasing the number of justices and districts, supporters argue that it will enhance representation across the state, allowing for a broader range of perspectives in court decisions. This change is viewed as a way to address population growth and demographic shift in various regions of Louisiana, thereby ensuring that justices better reflect the state's diversity.
Summary
House Bill 13, introduced by Representative Wilford Carter during the 2022 First Extraordinary Session, proposes a significant amendment to the Constitution of Louisiana regarding the composition of the state's Supreme Court. The bill seeks to increase the number of associate justices from six to eight and establish nine districts instead of the current six. One of the key changes also includes raising the requirement for the concurrence of justices needed to render a judgment from four to five justices. The proposed amendment is set to be presented to the electors during a statewide election on November 8, 2022.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 13 appears to be generally supportive among lawmakers who advocate for increased judicial representation and efficiency. Proponents believe that expanding the court's membership will lead to more balanced decision-making and address concerns about minority representation. Conversely, some critics express concerns regarding the potential for increased bureaucratic complexity and the costs associated with a larger court, arguing that such changes may not necessarily lead to improved judicial outcomes.
Contention
Notable points of contention include the practicality of implementing the proposed changes, as opponents question whether additional justices would significantly impact the court's function. Debates also center around the wisdom of restructuring a judicial body that has traditionally operated with fewer justices and whether the increase in districts would genuinely enhance judicial accessibility or simply complicate the electoral process for justices. Ultimately, the proposed amendment raises fundamental questions about the balance of power, representation, and judicial effectiveness in Louisiana.
(Constitutional Amendment) Increases the number of associate supreme court justices and increases the required number of justices concurring in order to render judgment (Item #6) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)
LA SB6
Constitutional Amendment to increase the composition of the Louisiana Supreme Court. (Items #4, 5, and 13)(2/3 - CA13s1(A)) (EG +$1,145,641 GF EX See Note)
LA SB7
Redistricts the Louisiana Supreme Court to increase the composition of the court from seven to nine justices. (2/3 - CA5s4)(Item #3)(See Act) (EG INCREASE GF EX See Note)
LA HB3
Provides for nine election districts for the election of justices to the supreme court (Item #3) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)
LA HB18
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the statewide election of supreme court justices (Item #4)
LA SB3
Provides for the statewide election of supreme court justices. (Item #3)(2/3 - CA5s4) (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)
LA HB15
Provides for the districts for election of the justices of the Supreme Court (Item #3) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)
An act to add Section 42253 to the Education Code, relating to education finance.
TX HB1
Relating to a reduction in the maximum compressed tax rate of a school district and additional state aid for certain school districts impacted by compression.
Proposes an amendment to Constitution specifying a method of providing for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools and allocating all income tax receipts to school districts.