Louisiana House Bill HB818

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/22/15
• Refer: 4/27/15

Caption

Appropriates funds for payment of judgment against the DOTD in the matter of "Amanda Abney, et al v. Stephanie L. Smith, et al."

Impact

The passage of HB 818 will have a notable impact on state financial management practices as it creates a legal obligation to allocate specific state funds in satisfaction of a court judgment. This not only addresses the legal liabilities arising from the case but also sets a precedent for how the state responds to similar legal claims in the future. The appropriation reflects the state’s responsibility in settling financial judgments against its agencies, such as the Department of Transportation.

Summary

House Bill 818 appropriates funds from the Louisiana state general fund for the fiscal year 2015-2016, specifically targeting the payment of a legal judgment stemming from the case 'Amanda Abney, et al. v. Stephanie L. Smith, et al.' The bill allocates a total of $25,000 to Joseph D. Bradley, who serves as the Bankruptcy Trustee for the estate of the plaintiff, William Abney. This appropriation is aimed at covering the consent judgment awarded in this case, which was ruled by the 22nd Judicial District Court of St. Tammany Parish.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 818 appears to be neutral to positive, especially considering that it deals with the resolution of a legal matter rather than contentious new legislation. Stakeholders likely see the necessity of fulfilling a court order as a responsible action on the part of the state, which could foster trust and confidence in governmental legal processes. However, there may be mixed feelings among taxpayers and legislators about the financial implications of such appropriations.

Contention

While there does not seem to be significant contention surrounding HB 818 itself, the underlying issues related to legal judgments against state agencies, particularly the potentially high costs associated with such cases, could lead to discussions about state accountability and the management of public funds. Concerns may arise regarding how such appropriations are funded and the broader implications of repeated legal challenges faced by state agencies.