The original instrument was prepared by Alan Miller. The following digest, which
does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Michelle D.
Ridge.
DIGEST
SB 216 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Jackson
Present law provides that each law enforcement officer who, because of his official connections with
any criminal case being tried in the city court or mayor's court, as the arresting officer or in some
other official capacity, is required to be present as a witness in the case during any time when he is
otherwise not required to report to work or perform the duties of his office shall be paid the sum of
$50 for each day per case for which his presence in the court is required and for which he is present.
Present law requires witness fees for these off-duty law enforcement officers be paid from court costs
assessed and collected in individual cases in which there is a plea of guilty or a conviction, in
accordance with a schedule of costs adopted by the judge or judges of the city court or mayor's court,
provided that in a mayor's court, the cost assessed for such purpose for any person who pleads guilty
or is convicted in an individual case shall not exceed $50, with the costs collected to be placed in
a special fund maintained and administered by the governing authority and from which the governing
authority pays the witness fees.
Proposed law requires the witness fee fund for the City Court of Bastrop to maintain a balance of
$5,000.
Proposed law provides that the city of Bastrop may adopt an ordinance which provides that on
January first of each year, the amount of money in the witness fee fund for the City Court of Bastrop
that exceeds $5,000 be transferred to the operating fund of the city of Bastrop to be used solely for
the operating expenses of the court.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 15:255(X))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original bill
1. Adds that the city of Bastrop may adopt an ordinance to provide for the transfer of
excess funds in the witness fee fund to be used for the operating expenses of the
court.