RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 405 (SB 177) 2024 Regular Session Morris
Existing constitution provides that the judiciary commission consist of the following:
(1)One court of appeal judge and two district court judges selected by the supreme
court.
(2)Two attorneys admitted to the practice of law for at least ten years and one attorney
admitted to the practice of law for at least three years but not more than ten years,
selected by the Conference of Court of Appeal Judges or its successor. They shall not
be judges, active or retired, or public officials, other than notaries public.
(3)Three citizens, not lawyers, judges active or retired, or public officials, selected by
the Louisiana District Judges' Association.
New constitutional amendment retains these provisions but increases the members of the
judiciary commission as follows:
(1)Two members appointed by the speaker of the house.
(2)Two members appointed by the president of the senate.
(3)One member appointed by the governor.
Existing constitutional amendment allows the supreme court, on recommendation of the
judiciary commission, to censure, suspend with or without salary, remove from office or
retire involuntarily a judge for wilful misconduct relating to his office.
New constitutional amendment retains this authority but after an investigation by the
judiciary commission which shall be instituted on recommendation by the commission or by
directive from a majority of the court.
New constitutional amendment adds "malfeasance while in office" to the list of specified
actions for which the supreme court may pursue disciplinary action against a sitting judge.
Existing constitution authorizes the supreme court to disqualify a judge from exercising any
judicial function without loss of salary during pendency of proceedings in the supreme court.
New constitutional amendment retains this authority with the supreme court but on
recommendation of the judiciary commission or its own motion.
Existing constitution authorizes the supreme court to retire involuntarily a judge for disability
that seriously interfers with the performance of his duties that is or is likely to become
permanent.
New constitutional amendment retains this authority with the supreme court but after an
investigation by the judiciary commission instituted on recommendation by the commission
or by directive of a majority of the supreme court.
New constitutional amendment otherwise retains existing constitution.
Specifies submission of the amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held on
November 5, 2024.
(Amends Const. Art. V, Sec. 25(C); adds Const. Art. V, Sec. 25(A)(4))