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 926 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Lyons
Abstract: Provides for an additional election section in the first district of the Fifth Circuit Court
of Appeals. Effective upon the signature of the governor for all purposes.
Statistical summaries of proposed law including maps illustrating proposed district
boundaries accompany this digest. (Attached to the bill version on the internet.)
Present law provides for composition of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. Provides that the parishes
of Jefferson, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist shall compose the fifth circuit. Further
provides that the parish of Jefferson shall compose the first district of the fifth circuit. The parish
of St. James and that portion of St. John the Baptist Parish east of the Mississippi River shall
compose the second district of the fifth circuit. The parish of St. Charles and that portion of St. John
the Baptist Parish west of the Mississippi River shall compose the third district of the fifth circuit.
Present law provides that the fifth circuit shall be composed of eight judges. Provides that six judges
shall be elected from the first district of the fifth circuit by the qualified electors thereof. Proposed
law retains present law.
Present law provides further that the first district of the fifth circuit shall be divided into two election
sections and provides that five judges are assigned to election section one and one judge is assigned
to election section two.
Proposed law instead provides that the first district shall be divided into three election sections.
Further provides that four judges are assigned to election section one, one judge is assigned to
election section two, and one judge is assigned to election section three.
Proposed law provides that the first vacancy created by the death, resignation, retirement, or removal
of a judge of the first district who was elected by the qualified electors of election section one shall
be filled by election from election section three and such judgeship shall be assigned to election
section three for election purposes thereafter. However, if no election has occurred or is scheduled
to occur to fill a vacancy in such a judgeship from election section three prior to the opening of
qualifying for the regular statewide elections in 2030, the regular election to fill the judgeship
designated as Division B of the first district shall be held in election section three of the first district
and such division shall be assigned to election section three for election purposes thereafter.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action. (Amends R.S. 13:312(5)(b)(i) and 312.1(E)(2))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.