2024 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 142
BY SENATOR HARRIS
A RESOLUTION
To reestablish the Judicial Structure Task Force created by House Resolution No. 30 of the
2022 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, the Judicial Structure Task Force was created by House Resolution No.
30 of the 2022 Regular Session to study the caseload data and the number of judges of each
appellate court and district court in Louisiana, to determine changes necessary to the existing
structure of the judiciary, and to provide the most efficient use of judicial resources; and
WHEREAS, House Concurrent Resolution No. 143 of the 2011 Regular Session of
the Legislature of Louisiana requested the supreme court to study the structure of the
judiciary; and
WHEREAS, the task force has met twelve times since its inception to determine the
efficient methodology and approach for the district courts weighted caseload study; and
WHEREAS, the National Center for State Courts developed a work point study to
assess the workload of district and appellate courts throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, an updated work point study is needed to accurately assess the structure
and workload of the judiciary; and
WHEREAS, the release of the detailed 2020 federal decennial census data on August
12, 2021, revealed serious population losses in some parts of the state and tremendous
population growth in other parts of the state; and
WHEREAS, as population shifts from some areas of this state to others, it would be
prudent to examine the caseload data from each court in the state of Louisiana to determine
if the judicial resources are being used in the most efficient manner possible; and
WHEREAS, population and demographic changes in the state of Louisiana provide
a reassessment opportunity to determine if reallocation of judicial resources may be needed;
and
WHEREAS, it is of utmost importance to consider the case filing data, case weights,
court structure and finance, and the use of support personnel in order to establish proper
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funding and distribution of such funds to the courts; and
WHEREAS, the legislature will be unable to appropriate such funds as are necessary
for the judicial system without receiving proper and sufficient data to support such an
appropriation; and
WHEREAS, it is also necessary to study the territorial boundaries and the
jurisdictional limits of each court.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby continue the Judicial Structure Task Force to study the funding and workload
of judicial districts and circuits, and to propose recommendations with specific proposals for
legislation, by written report to the Senate and to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research
Library as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than February 1, 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force's study include consideration of
the caseload data and the number of judges of each appellate court and district court in
Louisiana and provide the most efficient use of judicial resources.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
following members:
(1) Three members of the House Committee on Appropriations appointed by the
speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2) Three members of the House Committee on Judiciary appointed by the speaker
of the House of Representatives.
(3) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(4) The chief justice of the Supreme Court, or his designee.
(5) The chair of the Louisiana Conference of Court of Appeals Judges, or his
designee.
(6) Two judges, at least one of whom serves in a judicial district composed of two
or more parishes, who are members of the Louisiana District Judges Association selected
by the president of the association.
(7) One judge who is a member of the Louisiana Judicial Council of the National Bar
Association.
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(8) Four members of the Senate and one judge appointed by the president of the
Senate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall have all powers otherwise
provided by law and by rules of the Senate, as well as all powers inherent in legislative
committees, and that the legislative members shall receive the per diem and mileage
authorized by law and in accordance with the rules of the member's house of the legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a member of the Senate on the task force
designated by the president of the Senate shall serve as the chairman of the task force and
that the members of the task force shall select any other officers it deems necessary from
among its members at the first meeting of the task force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairman of the task force shall cause notice
of each meeting of the task force to be provided to the president of the Senate and the
chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana directs
the task force to solicit input, information, data, recommendations, and advice from the
following persons, agencies, and organizations in connection with the study directed by this
Resolution:
(1) Louisiana Supreme Court.
(2) Louisiana District Judges Association.
(3) Louisiana Clerks of Court Association.
(4) Louisiana District Attorneys Association.
(5) Office of the state public defender.
(6) Louisiana State Bar Association.
(7) Louisiana Association for Justice.
(8) National Center for State Courts.
(9) Louisiana Association of Business & Industry.
(10) Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
(11) Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel.
(12) Any persons, agencies, entities, or stakeholders that the joint committee deems
necessary to fulfill its purposes.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may seek staff assistance and
advice from the office of the judicial administrator for the Louisiana Supreme Court.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
its findings and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Finance not later than
February 1, 2025, and that such recommendations shall include the following:
(1) An updated work point study from the National Center for State Courts.
(2) Data from the National Center for State Courts on district court work flow.
(3) The caseload data of each appellate court and district court in Louisiana.
(4) The number of judges in each appellate court and district court in Louisiana.
(5) A determination of any necessary changes to the existing structure of the
judiciary.
(6) A determination of the most efficient use of judicial resources.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, the president of the Senate, the chief justice
of the Louisiana Supreme Court, the chair of the Louisiana Conference of Court of Appeals
Judges, and the president of the Louisiana District Judges Association.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one print copy and one electronic copy of any
report produced pursuant to this Resolution shall be submitted to the David R. Poynter
Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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