SB 456 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

JUDGES: Provides for the compensation of assigned retired judges. (gov sig) (EN SEE ACTUARIAL NOTE FC)

This bill updates Louisiana laws to provide retired judges with an optional way to be paid for temporary court assignments while keeping their regular pensions intact. Under the new rules, retired judges can choose to receive extra pay based on a daily rate or a contract agreement, plus reimbursement for necessary work expenses, without losing their retirement benefits. The legislation also clarifies how these judges count toward retirement system membership and allows them to make a one-time choice to limit their contributions to those of a standard employee. Ultimately, the law gives the Supreme Court the flexibility to set these compensation terms and ensures that any financial costs are covered by increased employer contributions rather than raising employee rates.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Mar 31, 2026 Signed May 15, 2026

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What changed between versions

SB456 Original → SB456 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System to clarify that retired judges assigned to courts are not subject to restrictions based on their initial eligibility date for retirement membership. It also establishes a new optional compensation method for assigned retired judges, allowing them to receive a daily stipend in addition to their full retirement pay, rather than having their retirement pay deducted from their court salary.

Scope change

The bill expands the applicability of retirement rules to include retired judges regardless of when they first became eligible for retirement, and introduces a new compensation framework for assigned judges.

ELIGIBILITY

Retired judges serving assignments are now exempt from the rule that restricts special membership provisions to those eligible before January 1, 2011.

COMPENSATION

A new optional compensation method allows the Supreme Court to assign retired judges to courts on a contractual or per diem basis, providing an additional stipend equal to 1/20th of a judge's monthly salary per day, plus expense reimbursement.

FISCAL

The new compensation method is funded through additional employer contributions, ensuring no reduction in existing employee contribution rates.

REQUIREMENT

Retired judges assigned under the new method can receive both their full retirement pay and the additional court stipend, whereas previously the retirement pay was deducted from the court salary.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 13, 2026 · House May 12, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Apr 13, 2026

D Democratic12

12 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 96, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 6, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (14-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 14, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors