Louisiana Senate Bill SB463

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/5/16
• Refer: 4/6/16
• Report Pass: 4/19/16
• Engrossed: 4/21/16
• Refer: 4/25/16
• Refer: 5/5/16
• Refer: 5/9/16
• Report Pass: 5/16/16

Caption

Provides relative to Judicial Building Fund for Civil District Court for the parish of Orleans. (8/1/16) (EG +$1,462,260 LF RV See Note)

Impact

By extending the deadline, SB 463 seeks to ensure the continuation of authority to levy additional costs and charges authorized under existing law. This extension is particularly significant for the funding mechanisms in place to support the development of court facilities. Should public bids and lease agreements fail to materialize by the new deadline, the authority to enforce such costs would lapse, shifting the responsibility of courthouse funding back to capital improvements for the existing Civil District Court facility, which could affect future resource allocations for legal services in the area.

Summary

Senate Bill 463, introduced by Senator Bishop, relates to the Judicial Building Fund for the Civil District Court of Orleans Parish. It specifically amends the existing statute to extend the deadline by which public bids for construction must be let and a lease agreement executed for a privately constructed courthouse facility. The new deadline set by the bill is August 15, 2021, allowing for additional time to finalize the construction arrangements necessary for the courthouse operations.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB 463 appeared to be supportive within the legislative assembly, as indicated by the unanimous vote in favor of the bill. The passage without opposition suggests a general consensus on the necessity of the extension for the Judicial Building Fund, reflecting a broader commitment to maintaining and improving judicial infrastructure in Orleans Parish, which is crucial for the community and its legal system.

Contention

While the bill passed without dissent, the ongoing challenge lies in the effective execution of public bids and lease agreements for the courthouse facility. Critics may still raise concerns regarding the potential delay in construction and the implications for court access and infrastructure. These considerations highlight the delicate balance between securing adequate funding for necessary judicial facilities and ensuring timely execution of construction agreements to meet the evolving needs of the legal system.