LEGISLATIVE POWERS: Provides relative to contempt of the legislature
HB 705 clarifies when individuals commit contempt of Louisiana's legislature, directly affecting people summoned to testify before legislative committees. It specifies contempt occurs if someone refuses to testify, disrupts proceedings, or attempts to bribe lawmakers. Violators face fines up to $50,000 or six months in jail. The bill requires committee chairs to immediately certify contempt to prosecutors or law enforcement for arrest.
Bill status
in committee
2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Failed
May 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2026
Last action May 18, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
HB705 Original
→
HB705 Engrossed
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify the specific subsections of the law being changed and to update the penalty structure for contempt of the legislature. The most significant change is the introduction of escalating fines based on the number of offenses, increasing penalties for repeat offenders rather than applying a single flat fine to all cases. Additionally, the certification process for contempt cases was expanded to require immediate arrest by law enforcement officers in addition to the existing requirement for district attorneys to prosecute.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on contempt of the legislature, but the enforcement mechanism was broadened to include immediate arrest by law enforcement officers alongside the existing prosecution process.
ENFORCEMENT
Added a requirement for the president or speaker to certify statements to law enforcement officers who must immediately arrest the accused, supplementing the existing requirement for district attorneys to prosecute.
REQUIREMENT
Changed the penalty structure from a single fine of up to $50,000 to an escalating system where first offenses carry a $1,500 fine, second offenses carry a $2,500 fine, and third or subsequent offenses carry a fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment.
TECHNICAL
Updated the text to specify that R.S. 24:4(A) and (B) and 5 are being amended, clarifying the exact sections of the Revised Statutes involved.
Floor votes · House May 18, 2026
How they voted
37–58
Failed · 10 other
Total votes 105
May 18, 2026
D
Democratic33
87% Yea
R
Republican72
79% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
3
May 18, 2026
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (37-58-10)
house
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (12-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Candace Newell
DDemocratic
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