SB 217 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

COURTS: Provides for the administration of courts in Orleans Parish and the number of court judges. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

SB 217 increases the number of judges in Orleans Parish's civil district court from 12 to 14, effective January 1, 2027. It reorganizes court divisions by creating four new divisions (K, L, M, N) for the additional judges and abolishing two existing divisions (C and L) by December 31, 2026. The bill also specifies that court expenses, including judge compensation and staff salaries, will be paid from the Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund. This change directly affects the court system in New Orleans, including judges, court staff, and individuals using the court for legal matters.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed Jun 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB217 Original → SB217 Act · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the legal framework for the Orleans Parish Civil District Court, primarily by increasing the number of judges from twelve to fourteen and reorganizing the court's divisions to eliminate outdated divisions (C and L) while creating new ones (M and N). It also modernizes funding mechanisms by establishing a 'Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund' to manage court costs and crier compensation, replacing fragmented payment sources with a centralized system.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Civil District Court by adding two new judgeships and redefining the court's internal divisions to reflect current judicial needs, while maintaining the court's overall jurisdiction over Orleans Parish.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the number of Civil District Court judges from twelve to fourteen to address staffing needs.

Reorganized court divisions by abolishing Divisions C and L and creating new Divisions M and N for specific judicial elections.

FISCAL

Created a 'Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund' to centralize the collection and management of money for court operations, crier salaries, and facility maintenance.

Changed crier compensation from being paid solely by the sheriff to a hybrid model where the city and the new Judicial Expense Fund share the cost.

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date for the new division structure and judge elections to align with the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 20, 2026 · House May 12, 2026

How they voted

27–10

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 40

Apr 20, 2026

D Democratic12

1 Yea 9 Nay 2

75% Nay

R Republican28

26 Yea 1 Nay 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.

upper

Jun 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 62, nays 34. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.

lower

May 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.

lower

May 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.

lower

May 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 25 yeas and 10 nays.

upper

May 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference committee report received.

upper

May 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Conference Committee membership changed: Harris vice Edmonds.

upper

May 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.

upper

May 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate conference committee members appointed: Morris, Cathey, and Edmonds.

upper

May 19, 2026

Introduced

Notice of Senate rejecting House amendments.

lower

May 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 66, nays 31. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 6, 2026

Introduced

Reported with Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (11-4-1). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 22, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 9 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate floor amendments read and adopted.

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Reported with amendments.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors