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HLS 26RS-2631 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1165
BY REPRESENTATIVE DESHOTEL
COURTS: Provides relative to the court system in Avoyelles Parish
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 13:621.12 and to repeal R.S. 13:1952(7) and Part VII of Chapter
3 7 of Title 13 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S.
4 13:2488.51 through 2488.59, relative to the courts of Avoyelles Parish; to eliminate
5 the city court of Bunkie; to eliminate the city court of Marksville; to provide for the
6 creation of an additional judgeship in the Twelfth Judicial District Court; to provide
7 for an election; to provide for the jurisdiction of the additional judgeship; to provide
8 for qualifications; to provide for compensation; to provide for the term of office; to
9 provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related matters.
10 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11 Section 1. R.S. 13:621.12 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
12 §621.12. Twelfth judicial district
13 The twelfth judicial district court shall have two three judges.
14 Section 2. There is hereby created one additional office of district judge for the
15 Twelfth Judicial District for the parish of Avoyelles.
16 For the purposes of nominations and election only, there is hereby created in the
17 Twelfth Judicial District one new division to be designated as Division C.
18 The additional judge provided shall be elected at large from the Twelfth Judicial
19 District, shall have jurisdiction throughout the district, and shall be elected by the qualified
20 electors of the district.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-2631 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1165
1 The additional judge shall have the same qualifications and shall receive the same
2 emoluments of office, compensation, and expense allowances payable from the same sources
3 and in the same manner as are now or may hereafter be provided for the other judges of the
4 district.
5 The first judge elected to the additional judgeship shall be elected as provided by
6 Article V, Section 22 of the Constitution of Louisiana. He shall take office on January 1,
7 2027, and shall serve for a term that shall expire at the same time as provided by law for the
8 other judges of the court. Thereafter, the successors to the additional judgeship provided by
9 this Section shall be elected at the same time, in the same manner, and shall serve the same
10 term as is now or may be hereafter provided for other judges of the district.
11 Section 3. R.S. 13:1952(7) and Part VII of Chapter 7 of Title 13 of the Louisiana
12 Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 13:2488.51 through 2488.59, are hereby
13 repealed in their entirety.
14 Section 4. The provisions of Section 3 of this Act shall become effective on January
15 1, 2027.
16 Section 5. The provisions of Section 1 of this Act shall become effective upon
17 signature by the governor or, if not signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for
18 bills to become law without signature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section
19 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved
20 by the legislature, this Act shall become 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 1165 Original 2026 Regular Session Deshotel
Abstract: Eliminates the city court judges in Marksville and Bunkie and provides for an
additional judge in the 12th JDC in Avoyelles Parish.
Present law provides for two judicial district court judges in the 12th JDC located in
Avoyelles Parish.
Proposed law retains present law but provides for an additional judgeship in the 12th JDC
located in Avoyelles Parish.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-2631 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1165
Proposed law provides for a special election from an at-large district for the additional
judgeship for the 12th JDC. Further provides for the judge to take office on Jan. 1, 2027.
Proposed law becomes effective upon the signature of the governor.
Proposed law requires the additional judge to have the same qualifications and receive the
same compensation and allowance for expenses from the same sources and in the same
manner as the current judges.
Present law provides for one city court judge in Marksville and one city court judge in
Bunkie. Both city court judgeships are located in Avoyelles Parish.
Proposed law repeals present law effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Present law provides for the payment of salaries for a marshal, clerk of court, and deputy
clerks as well as expenses for the operation and maintenance of the courtroom and offices
of the city court to be paid by the town of Marksville and the parish of Avoyelles.
Proposed law repeals present law effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Present law provides for the collection and deposit of fines, forfeitures, penalties, fees, and
costs in criminal and civil matters by the city judge in Marksville.
Proposed law repeals present law effective Jan. 1, 2027.
(Amends R.S. 13:621.12; Repeals R.S. 13:1952(7) and 2488.51-2488.59)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.