JUDGES/DISTRICT: Provides for the election of judges to the 19th Judicial District Court

HLS 26RS-1301 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1097
BY REPRESENTATIVE MARCELLE
JUDGES/DISTRICT: Provides for the election of judges to the 19th Judicial District Court
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 13:477(19) and 621.19, relative to the Nineteenth Judicial
3 District Court; to provide for the election sections from which judges are elected; to
4 provide for three election sections; to provide for the assignment of judges to
5 election sections; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 13:477(19) and 621.19 are hereby amended and reenacted to read as
8 follows:
9 §477. Judicial districts
10 There shall be forty-one judicial districts in the state and each district shall
11 be composed as follows:
12 * * *
13 (19) The parish of East Baton Rouge shall compose the Nineteenth District.
14 The Nineteenth District shall consist of two three election sections. Election section
15 one shall consist of Precincts 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-9, 1-10, 1-11, 1-13,
16 1-14, 1-15, 1-16, 1-17, 1-18, 1-19, 1-20, 1-21, 1-22, 1-23, 1-24, 1-25, 1-26, 1-27,
17 1-28, 1-29, 1-30, 1-31, 1-32, 1-36, 1-37, 1-38, 1-44, 1-45, 1-46, 1-50, 1-51, 1-52,
18 1-53, 1-54, 1-55, 1-58, 1-60, 1-61, 1-62, 1-63, 1-67, 1-68, 1-70, 1-71, 1-72, 1-76,
19 1-77, 1-78, 1-81, 1-82, 1-83, 1-84, 1-85, 1-86, 1-87, 1-88, 1-91, 1-92, 1-93, 1-94,
20 1-95, 1-96, 1-97, 1-100, 1-101, 1-102, 1-104, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-9, 2-10, 2-11,
Page 1 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1301 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1097
1 2-12, 2-13, 2-14, 2-15, 2-16, 2-17, 2-18, 2-19, 2-20, 2-21, 2-22, 2-23, 2-24, 2-25,
2 2-26, 2-27, 2-28, 2-29, 2-30, 2-31, 2-32, 2-34, 2-35, 2-36, 2-37, 2-38, 3-8, 3-11, 3-24,
3 3-27, 3-28, 3-32, 3-42, 3-54, and 3-72 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10, 1-11
4 (Part) Tract 003400 - Blocks 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,
5 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032,
6 2033, 2034, 3000, 3001, 3009, 3010, 3011, 3018, 3019, 3020, 3021, 4000, 4001,
7 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005, 4006, 4007, 4008, 4009, 4010, and 4011; 1-13, 1-14, 1-15,
8 1-16, 1-18, 1-19, 1-21, 1-22, 1-23, 1-24, 1-25, 1-26, 1-27, 1-28, 1-29, 1-30, 1-31,
9 1-32, 1-37, 1-38, 1-40, 1-44, 1-45, 1-46, 1-50, 1-51, 1-58, 1-61, 1-62, 1-63, 1-67,
10 1-76 (Part) Tract 002802 - Blocks 1011, 1012, and 1013; Tract 004013 - Blocks
11 3000 and 3005; Tract 004023 - Blocks 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, and 3005;
12 Tract 004800 - Blocks 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, and 1013; 1-77, 1-84, 1-85,
13 1-86, 1-91 (Part) Tract 003104 - Blocks 1000, 1001, 6000, 6001, 6005, 6006, 6007,
14 6008, 6009, 6010, 6011, 6012, 6013, 6014, 6016, 6017, 6018, 6019, 7000, 7001,
15 7002, 7003, 7004, 7005, 7006, 7007, 7008, 7009, 7010, 7011, 7012, 7013, 7014,
16 7017, 7018, 7019, 7020, 7021, 7022, 7023, 7024, 7025, 7029, 7030, 7031, and 7037;
17 Tract 003201 - Blocks 3013; Tract 003300 - Blocks 1001; Tract 980000 - Blocks
18 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013; 1-92, 1-93 (Part) Tract
19 003505 - Blocks 4008; 1-94, 1-95 (Part) Tract 003000 - Blocks 1000, 1001, 1002,
20 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015,
21 1016, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
22 2016, 2017, 2018, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034,
23 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, and 2042; 1-100, 1-101 (Part) Tract 003000 -
24 Blocks 2015, 2023, and 2024; Tract 003104 - Blocks 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
25 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 3000, 3001,
26 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008, 3009, 7015, 7016, 7026, and 7027; Tract
27 004203 - Blocks 3022, 3031; 2-1 (Part) Tract 003505 - Blocks 2010, 2011, 3005, and
28 3006; 2-11 (Part) Tract 003201 - Blocks 3014 and 3015; Tract 003400 - Blocks
29 2036, 2037; 2-16, 2-23, and 2-30 of East Baton Rouge Parish. Election section two
Page 2 of 6
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are additions.
HLS 26RS-1301 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1097
1 shall consist of Precincts 1-8, 1-12, 1-33, 1-34, 1-35, 1-39, 1-40, 1-41, 1-42, 1-43,
2 1-47, 1-48, 1-49, 1-56, 1-57, 1-59, 1-64, 1-65, 1-66, 1-69, 1-73, 1-74, 1-75, 1-79,
3 1-80, 1-89, 1-90, 1-98, 1-99, 1-103, 1-105, 1-106, 1-107, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-33, 3-1, 3-2,
4 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6, 3-7, 3-9, 3-10, 3-12, 3-13, 3-14, 3-15, 3-16, 3-17, 3-18, 3-19, 3-20,
5 3-21, 3-22, 3-23, 3-25, 3-26, 3-29, 3-30, 3-31, 3-33, 3-34, 3-35, 3-36, 3-37, 3-38,
6 3-39, 3-40, 3-41, 3-43, 3-44, 3-45, 3-46, 3-47, 3-48, 3-49, 3-50, 3-51, 3-52, 3-53,
7 3-55, 3-56, 3-57, 3-58, 3-59, 3-60, 3-61, 3-62, 3-63, 3-64, 3-65, 3-66, 3-67, 3-68,
8 3-69, 3-70, 3-71, 3-73, 3-74, 3-75, and 3-76 1-9, 1-11 (Part) Tract 003400 - Blocks
9 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2035; 1-20, 1-52, 1-53, 1-54, 1-55, 1-60, 1-70, 1-71,
10 1-72, 1-78, 1-81, 1-82, 1-83, 1-87, 1-88, 1-91 (Part) Tract 003104 - Blocks 7036;
11 Tract 004201 - Blocks 6009, 6010, 6011, and 6012; Tract 980000 - Blocks 1000,
12 1001, and 1002; 1-93 (Part) Tract 003505 - Blocks 4003, 4005, 4006, 4007, 4009,
13 4010, and 4011; 1-95 (Part) Tract 003000 - Blocks 2005, 2021, and 2022; 1-96, 1-97,
14 1-101 (Part) Tract 004203 - Blocks 3023 and 3024; 2-1 (Part) Tract 003505 - Blocks
15 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 2000, 2001, 2002,
16 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3007,
17 3008, 3009, 3010, 4000, 4001, 4002, and 4004; 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9,
18 2-10, 2-11 (Part) Tract 003201 - Blocks 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006,
19 3007, 3008, 3009, 3010, 3011, 3012, 3016, and 3017; 2-12, 2-13, 2-14, 2-15, 2-17,
20 2-18, 2-19, 2-20, 2-21, 2-22, 2-24, 2-25, 2-26, 2-27, 2-28, 2-29, 2-31, 2-32, 2-33,
21 2-34, 2-35, 2-36, 2-37, 2-38, 3-1, 3-2, 3-6, 3-8, 3-9, 3-12, 3-14, 3-24, 3-25, 3-26,
22 3-28, 3-30, 3-32, 3-37, 3-42, 3-46, 3-54, 3-58, 3-61, and 3-72 of East Baton Rouge
23 Parish. Election section three shall consist of Precincts 1-2, 1-12, 1-33, 1-34, 1-35,
24 1-36, 1-39, 1-41, 1-42, 1-43, 1-47, 1-48, 1-49, 1-56, 1-57, 1-59, 1-64, 1-65, 1-66,
25 1-69, 1-73, 1-74, 1-75, 1-76 (Part) Tract 004013 - Blocks 1000 and 2000; Tract
26 004023 - Blocks 1000, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 3006; Tract 004800 - Blocks 1019,
27 1020, 1021, and 1022; 1-79, 1-80, 1-89, 1-90, 1-98, 1-99, 1-102, 1-103, 1-104,
28 1-105, 1-106, 1-107, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 3-7, 3-10, 3-11, 3-13, 3-15, 3-16, 3-17, 3-18, 3-19,
29 3-20, 3-21, 3-22, 3-23, 3-27, 3-29, 3-31, 3-33, 3-34, 3-35, 3-36, 3-38, 3-39, 3-40,
Page 3 of 6
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are additions.
HLS 26RS-1301 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1097
1 3-41, 3-43, 3-44, 3-45, 3-47, 3-48, 3-49, 3-50, 3-51, 3-52, 3-53, 3-55, 3-56, 3-57,
2 3-59, 3-60, 3-62, 3-63, 3-64, 3-65, 3-66, 3-67, 3-68, 3-69, 3-70, 3-71, 3-73, 3-74,
3 3-75, and 3-76 of East Baton Rouge Parish.
4 * * *
5 §621.19. Nineteenth Judicial District
6 The Nineteenth Judicial District Court shall have fifteen judges. Seven Five
7 judges shall be elected from election section one, seven five judges shall be elected
8 from election section two, and one judge shall be elected at large five judges shall
9 be elected from election section three. The judgeships designated as Divisions A B,
10 D, J, K, L, M, and O are assigned to election section one; the judgeships designated
11 as Divisions C, E, F, A, G, H, I, L, M, and N are assigned to election section two;
12 and the judgeship judgeships designated as Division B Divisions C, E, F, H, and I
13 shall be elected at large.
14 Section 2. (A) The precincts referenced in this Act are those contained in the file
15 named "2026 Precinct Shapefiles (01-27-2026)" available on the website of the Legislature
16 of Louisiana on the effective date of this Section. The 2026 Precinct Shapefiles are based
17 upon those Voting Districts (VTDs) contained in the 2020 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line
18 Shapefiles for the State of Louisiana as those files have been modified and validated through
19 the data verification program of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Louisiana
20 Senate to represent precinct changes submitted through January 27, 2026, to the Legislature
21 of Louisiana by parish governing authorities pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 18:532 and
22 532.1.
23 (B) When a precinct referenced in this Act has been subdivided by action of the
24 parish governing authority on a nongeographic basis or subdivided by action of the parish
25 governing authority on a geographic basis in accordance with the provisions of R.S.
26 18:532.1, the enumeration in this Act of the general precinct designation shall include all
27 nongeographic and all geographic subdivisions thereof, however such subdivisions may be
28 designated.
Page 4 of 6
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are additions.
HLS 26RS-1301 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1097
1 (C) The territorial limits of the districts as provided in this Act shall continue in
2 effect until changed by law regardless of any subsequent change made to the precincts by
3 the parish governing authority.
4 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
5 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
6 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
7 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
8 effective on the day following such approval.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1097 Original 2026 Regular Session Marcelle
Abstract: Reapportions election sections for the 19th Judicial District Court, provides for
three election sections, five judges elected from each election section.
Statistical summaries of proposed law including maps illustrating proposed election
section boundaries accompany this digest. (Attached to the bill version on the
internet.)
Present law provides that the 19th Judicial District Court is comprised of East Baton Rouge
Parish. Provides that the 19th Judicial District Court has 15 judges.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the court shall consist of two election sections, each election
section electing seven judges, and one judge elected at large.
Proposed law provides that the 19th Judicial District Court consists of three election
sections, each election section electing five judges.
Present law provides that each judgeship be designated as a division and assigns each
division to one election section as follows:
(1) Election Section 1: Divisions A, D, J, K, L, M, and O
(2) Election Section 2: Divisions C, E, F, G, H, I, and N
Present law further provides that the judgeship designated as Division B shall be elected at
large.
Proposed law instead provides that the divisions be assigned to election sections as follows:
(1) Election Section 1: Divisions B, D, J, K, and O
(2) Election Section 2: Divisions A, G, L, M, and N
Page 5 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1301 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1097
(3) Election Section 3: Divisions C, E, F, H, and I
Proposed law specifies that precincts referenced in district descriptions are those precincts
contained in the file named "2026 Precinct Shapefiles (01-27-2026)" available on the
legislature's website. The 2026 Precinct Shapefiles are based on those Voting Districts
(VTDs) contained in the 2020 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line Shapefiles for the State of
La. as those files have been modified and validated through the data verification program
of the La. House of Representatives and the La. Senate to represent precinct changes
submitted through Jan. 27, 2026, to the Legislature of La. by parish governing authorities.
Also specifies that if any such precinct has been subdivided by action of the parish
governing authority on a nongeographic basis or subdivided by action of the parish
governing authority on a geographic basis in accordance with present law, the enumeration
of the general precinct designation shall include all nongeographic and all geographic
subdivisions thereof. Further provides that the territorial limits of the districts as enacted
shall continue in effect until changed by law regardless of any subsequent change made to
the precincts by the parish governing authority.
Population data in the summaries accompanying this digest are derived from 2020 Census
Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171), Summary File for Louisiana. Population data,
statistical information, and maps are supplied for purposes of information and analysis and
comprise no part of proposed law.
Population data in the summaries accompanying the enrolled bill available on the internet
are derived from 2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171), Summary File for
La. Population data, statistical information, and maps are supplied for purposes of
information and analysis and comprise no part of new law.
Effective upon signature of governor.
(Amends R.S. 13:477(19) and 621.19)
Page 6 of 6
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
95,818ElecSec 1 5 152,260 -56,442 -37.069%
153,978ElecSec 2 5 152,260 1,718 1.128%
206,985ElecSec 3 5 152,260 54,725 35.942%
Plan: HLS 26RS-1301 (Marcelle)
Plan Statistics
Districts: Relative DeviationAbsolute Deviation# of Members Actual Population Ideal Population
Grand Total: 15 456,781 456,780
Ideal Population Per Member:
Number of Districts for Plan Type:
Absolute Mean Deviation:
Range of District Populations:
Absolute Overall Range:
Absolute Range:
Relative Overall Range:
Relative Range:
Relative Mean Deviation:
Ideal - Actual:
Unassigned Population:
Remainder:
30452
3
95,818
37,056
-56,442
111,167
24.71%
-37.07%
73.01%
to
to
to
206,985
54,725
35.94%
-1
1
0
ElecSec 1 74,822 1,386 437 1,82095,818 17,353 2,739 76,053 1,4923691,25156,54816,393 2,255
78.088% 1.446% 0.456% 1.899%100.000% 18.110% 2.859% 100.000% 74.353%21.555% 1.645% 0.485% 1.962% 2.965%
ElecSec 2 79,842 4,463 1,689 8,885153,978 59,099 9,912 115,400 6,0541,3213,34257,14247,541 6,685
51.853% 2.898% 1.097% 5.770%100.000% 38.381% 6.437% 100.000% 49.516%41.197% 2.896% 1.145% 5.246% 5.793%
ElecSec 3 58,734 10,576 2,601 15,457206,985 119,617 17,900 164,159 11,0492,0578,00643,10099,947 12,599
28.376% 5.110% 1.257% 7.468%100.000% 57.790% 8.648% 100.000% 26.255%60.884% 4.877% 1.253% 6.731% 7.675%
Plan: HLS 26RS-1301 (Marcelle)
Total Population
Total
Population VAP Total
Total
Hispanic
Total
Other
Total
American
Indian
Total
Asian
Total
White
Total
Black VAP White VAP Black VAP Asian
VAP
American
Indian VAP Other
VAP
Hispanic
Total
Grand Total 213,398 16,425 4,727 26,162456,781 196,069 30,551 355,612 18,5953,74712,599156,790163,881 21,539
46.718% 3.596% 1.035% 5.727%100.000% 42.924% 6.688% 100.000% 5.229%1.054%3.543%44.090%46.084% 6.057%
ElecSec 1 34,423 1,585 29,191 2,04641,022 5,012 9,781
83.914% 3.864% 71.159% 4.988%53.939% 12.218% 23.843%
ElecSec 2 43,177 4,566 40,946 23,45484,738 36,995 20,341
50.954% 5.388% 48.321% 27.678%73.430% 43.658% 24.005%
ElecSec 3 24,765 8,978 34,126 44,796111,488 77,747 32,567
22.213% 8.053% 30.610% 40.180%67.915% 69.736% 29.211%
Plan: HLS 26RS-1301 (Marcelle)
Voter Registration
Reg Total
Dec 2025
Reg Other
Total
Dec 2025
Reg Rep
Total
Dec 2025
Reg Dem
Total
Dec 2025
Reg Other
Dec 2025
Reg White
Dec 2025
Reg Black
Dec 2025
Grand Total 102,365 15,129 104,263 70,296237,248 119,754 62,689
ElecSec 1
*East Baton Rouge 74,822 1,386 437 1,82095,818 17,353 76,053 16,393 41,0221,4923691,25156,548 34,4235,012 1,585
ElecSec 1 74,822 1,386 437 1,82095,818 17,353 76,053 16,393 41,0221,4923691,25156,548 5,012 34,423 1,585
78.088% 1.446% 0.456% 1.899%100.000% 18.110% 100.000% 21.555% 53.939%1.962%0.485%1.645%74.353% 12.218% 83.914% 3.864%
ElecSec 2
*East Baton Rouge 79,842 4,463 1,689 8,885153,978 59,099 115,400 47,541 84,7386,0541,3213,34257,142 43,17736,995 4,566
ElecSec 2 79,842 4,463 1,689 8,885153,978 59,099 115,400 47,541 84,7386,0541,3213,34257,142 36,995 43,177 4,566
51.853% 2.898% 1.097% 5.770%100.000% 38.381% 100.000% 41.197% 73.430%5.246%1.145%2.896%49.516% 43.658% 50.954% 5.388%
ElecSec 3
*East Baton Rouge 58,734 10,576 2,601 15,457206,985 119,617 164,159 99,947 111,48811,0492,0578,00643,100 24,76577,747 8,978
ElecSec 3 58,734 10,576 2,601 15,457206,985 119,617 164,159 99,947 111,48811,0492,0578,00643,100 77,747 24,765 8,978
28.376% 5.110% 1.257% 7.468%100.000% 57.790% 100.000% 60.884% 67.915%6.731%1.253%4.877%26.255% 69.736% 22.213% 8.053%
Plan: HLS 26RS-1301 (Marcelle)
Splits
Total
Population VAP WhiteVAP Total
Total
Other
Total
American
Indian
Total
Asian
Total
White
Total
Black VAP Black VAP Asian
VAP
American
Indian VAP Other
Reg Total
Dec 2025
Reg White
Dec 2025
Reg Black
Dec 2025
Reg Other
Dec 2025
EBR
WBR
Livingston
Iberville
St. Helena
Pointe Coupee
E Feliciana
Ascension
W Feliciana
6
27
2-6
2
4-1
2-5
21
19
6A
18
3
2-7
20
1
23
19
6B
18
20
4A
20
5
18
9
22
12
22
5
22
2
1B
4
16
8A
19 2-8
1
21A
19A
5
4
17
4
1A
2B
2-26
6
3-50
17
3-47
3
7
2-37
3
5
24
3
11
3-1
27
2-21
3-56
2-28
3A
3-2
2
2-35
3-6
5B
1
76
2-15
3-9
36A
6
10
29
8
5A
2-32
3-30
39
8B
3A
4A
2-14
2-13
2-3
1-18
1B
3-37
3-57
21B
3-21
28
7
3-26
7B
9
36
40
8
15
23C
2-25
3-8
25
5D
3-5
3-2
7C
15
2-33
3-61
21
2-1
43
3B
3-48
34
3-25
2-34
2B
61 33
1-91
3-19
2-27
7A
3-14
41
23B
2-24 2A
39A
1C
3-46
2-17
16B
40A
3-22
10
3-67
3-69
2-9
24C
1A
35
3-54
2-10
28
3-39
3-58
1-95
1-100
2-18
4A
2-12
3-24
1-96
1-5
9
14A
8A
3-12
3-63
2-11
1-1
14
23A
1-46
26
64
1-102
24B
1-97
3-51
24D
3-33
1-66
3-34
3-45
1D
35A
1-73
1-2
3-52
1-80
3-62
1-70
3-18
12
3-23
3-71
1-98
1-101
3-60
3-75
1-23
1-89
19
2-22
14B
1-78
3-35
7D
3-38
2-2
3-27
1-33
3-40
1-47
3-3
2-29
1-104
1-86
1-99
2-30
1-72
3-7
2-4
68
4B
1-42
1-85
26B
1D
1-90
1-31
3-76
3-73
7A
3-59
3-4
2-36
1-87
1-52
21
1-60
3-17
2-38
29
1-83
3-31
1-34
3-70
4B
1-20
3-41
1-551-9
1-69
3-66
1-48
3-15
1-74
1-43
1-36
2-31
26A
1-58
1-71
3-28
1-13
3-29
1-37
3-72
3-55
1-491-8
1-82
7B
3-64
39B
3-16
15
1-92
3-36
1-32
1-53
1-62
1-105
3-49
1-54
1-93
1-57
3-42
1-61
1-38
1-16
1-103
1-25
1-10
1-7
!2
!3
!1
19th Judicial District Court - HLS 26RS-1301 (Marcelle)