This amendment changes which parts of Avoyelles Parish are covered by the Marksville and Bunkie city courts, updates how their judges and marshals are elected, increases maximum fines, and allows for online payments.
Louisiana2026Enacted
HB1252
Changes to City Courts in Avoyelles Parish
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 3:26 AM
In one sentence
This law creates a new city court system for Marksville, expands the area covered by the Bunkie city court, sets election dates for judges and marshals, defines how cases can be appealed, and limits extra fees courts can charge.
What it does
- Creates the City Court of Marksville to replace the Mayor's Court in Ward Two and abolishes Justice of the Peace offices there once current terms end.
- Expands the Bunkie city court area to include Wards Seven, Eight, Nine, and Ten.
- Sets election dates for judges and marshals in both cities for November 2026 and every six years after that.
- Allows appeals from Justice of the Peace courts in specific wards to be heard by the Marksville city court.
- Limits extra fees charged by these courts to twenty dollars for criminal cases and ten dollars for civil cases.
Who it affects
- Residents living in Wards One through Six, Seven through Ten, and Eleven of Avoyelles Parish.
- Judges, marshals, clerks, and other staff working in the Bunkie and Marksville city courts.
- People who file criminal or civil cases in these specific areas starting January 1, 2027.
Limits and unknowns
- New rules for expanded power only apply to cases filed on or after January 1, 2027.
- Older courts in Wards One and Three through Six will work with the new city court until their current terms end.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Concurrent jurisdiction
- When two different courts have the power to hear and decide the same type of case at the same time.
- Territorial jurisdiction
- The specific geographic area where a court has legal authority to handle cases.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
COURTS: Provides relative to the city court system in Avoyelles Parish (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)
Official activity
Bill history
- Effective date: 06/25/2026.H
- Becomes Act No. 972 without the Governor's signature.H
- Sent to the Governor for executive approval.H
- Signed by the President of the Senate on 6/2/2026.S
- Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.H
- Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.H
- Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.S
- Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.S
- Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. Having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, the Conference Committee Report was adopted.H
- Rules suspended.H
- Conference Committee report received.H
- Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.S
- Notice of Senate conferees appointed.H
- Senate conference committee members appointed: Reese, Talbot, and Harris.S
- Notice House rejected the Senate amendments.S
- House conferees appointed: Deshotel, Robby Carter, and Beaullieu.H
- Read by title, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. The Senate amendments, not having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were rejected. Conference committee appointment pending.H
- Scheduled for concurrence on 05/31/2026.H
- Received from the Senate with amendments.H
- The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.S
Changes
Amendments
8 stored
Filed 6
Filed 7
This amendment sets up a system where voters in specific areas of Avoyelles Parish will elect the city judges and marshals for Bunkie and Marksville starting in November 2026.
This amendment sets up a system where voters in specific areas of Avoyelles Parish will elect the city judges and marshals for Bunkie and Marksville every six years starting in November 2026.
This amendment records the House vote to reject all changes proposed by the Senate for HB 1252.
This amendment adds a new rule stating that the city judge and marshal for Marksville will be elected by voters from specific wards in Avoyelles Parish starting in November 2026.
This amendment adds a new rule stating that the city judge and marshal for Marksville will be elected by voters from specific wards in Avoyelles Parish starting in November 2026.