Appropriates funds for payment of the consent judgment in the case entitled Liza Edmond v. St. Landry Parish Gov't et al.
Impact
The bill specifies that payment for the judgment shall be processed only after the necessary documentation has been presented to the state treasurer. Additionally, it establishes that if any provisions of the judgment conflict with those in this Act, the terms of the judgment will take precedence. Importantly, the bill also states that interest on the judgment will cease to accrue as of the effective date of the Act. This provision may reflect the state's desire to mitigate financial liabilities associated with the judgment.
Summary
House Bill 849 is a legislative measure aimed at appropriating funds for the payment of a consent judgment in the case titled 'Liza Edmond v. St. Landry Parish Gov't et al.' This bill allocates a total of $25,000 from the State General Fund for the fiscal year 2021-2022 to settle the legal ruling concerning a dispute involving Liza Edmond, the St. Landry Parish Government, the Grand Coteau Police Department, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The legal judgment requires payment of principal, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees awarded in the court ruling.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 849 is primarily focused on the necessity of settling the judicial matter promptly, thus ensuring compliance with the legal obligations of the state. There appears to be a general consensus that appropriating these funds is essential for maintaining the integrity of the judicial process and fulfilling the state's financial responsibilities. However, as it is a relatively straightforward appropriation bill, it has not sparked significant controversy or heated debate among legislators.
Contention
Given that HB 849 deals specifically with the appropriation for a judicial consent judgment, there are few notable points of contention. Most discourse relates to whether the allocated amount is sufficient to cover the expenses outlined in the judgment and the operational efficiency of processing such payments without delay. The bill reflects the state's commitment to upholding judgements made by the courts, reinforcing the principle that the state must honor its financial obligations arising from judicial decisions.
Appropriates funds for payment of the consent judgment against the state in the suit entitled Patricia Lazare et al. vs. State of La. through the Dept. of Transportation and Development et al.