Louisiana House Bill HB17

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/25/11
• Refer: 4/25/11

Caption

Appropriates funds for payment of judgment against DOTD in "Anna Belle Stein Ockman, et al v Custom Bus Charter, Inc., et al " consolidated with "Leila Marie Tassin, et al v. Frank Bedell, et al"

Impact

The passing of HB 17 will result in the state government being held financially accountable for this specific judgment, thus affecting the general fund allocation for future fiscal matters. By using state funds to settle litigation costs, the bill raises questions about fiscal responsibility and the prioritization of government expenditures. It can potentially set a precedent for future appropriations concerning legal judgments involving state agencies.

Summary

House Bill 17 seeks to appropriate funds from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2011-2012 to satisfy a legal judgment involving multiple parties, including the Department of Transportation and Custom Bus Charter, Inc. The total amount allocated is $805,776.76, which also covers legal interest and court costs. This appropriation is primarily aimed at addressing the financial obligations that arose from the court cases titled 'Anna Belle Stein Ockman, et al v. Custom Bus Charter, Inc. et al' and 'Leila Marie Tassin, et al v. Frank Bedell, et al', both of which were consolidated for judicial proceedings.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 17 appears to lean toward the necessity of fulfilling legal obligations to avoid further financial and reputational costs. While there may be concerns from various stakeholders about the implications of such financial appropriations, the consensus highlights the importance of honoring court decisions and the duty of the state to pay its debts. The general tone of the discussions would likely revolve around compliance with legal judgments and fiscal prudence.

Contention

Potential points of contention may arise from the sourcing of the funds within the general fund, as lawmakers could debate the fairness and impact of using taxpayer money for these legal liabilities. Additionally, concerns may be voiced regarding the transparency of governmental financial decisions and the need for robust oversight in the appropriations process to prevent misuse of state funds.