Louisiana House Bill HB218

Louisiana 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/28/22
• Refer: 2/28/22
• Refer: 3/14/22

Caption

Appropriates funds for payment of a judgment against the state in the suit entitled Victoria Roach v. State of La. et al. consolidated with Michael Lee McVey and Norma Cheryl McVey v. State of La. et al.

Impact

The enactment of HB 218 will directly impact the financial obligations of the state's budget concerning judicial rulings. By appropriating these funds, the state acknowledges its responsibility to uphold legal judgments, ensuring that claimants receive their awarded amounts. This bill reflects the state’s commitment to legal accountability and the functioning of the judicial system. It also serves to resolve the financial liabilities stemming from the court's decisions against the state, illustrating the necessity of appropriations in managing state financial commitments towards unresolved litigation.

Summary

House Bill 218 appropriates a total of $794,720.79 from the State General Fund for the fiscal year 2021-2022. This amount is designated for payment related to two consolidated court judgments against the state of Louisiana, specifically concerning cases titled 'Victoria Roach v. State of Louisiana' and 'Michael Lee McVey and Norma Cheryl McVey v. State of Louisiana.' The beneficiaries of this appropriation are the plaintiffs, Victoria Roach and the McVeys, stemming from rulings made in the Fourteenth Judicial District Court of Calcasieu Parish. The bill also specifies that the payment will include additional costs such as expert witness fees and court costs, alongside the principal amount awarded in the judgments.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment regarding HB 218 is seemed to be neutral, focused primarily on administrative execution rather than polarizing political discourse. Legislators generally understood the bill as a procedural necessity to satisfy court judgments. There appears to be recognition among the lawmakers that, irrespective of personal views on the cases, fulfilling legal judgments is a basic requirement of governance. Hence, the support for the bill may be influenced more by adherence to legal and ethical obligations than by ideological beliefs.

Contention

Notable points of contention likely arise from concerns about the appropriateness of use of state funds for such payments. While the bill is primarily procedural, questions may surface regarding the implications of continually appropriating funds for court judgments, potentially leading to debates on legislative accountability and the management of state resources. However, no specific opposition to the bill within the legislature has been documented, highlighting a general consensus on the importance of complying with judicial findings.