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HLS 26RS-440 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 97
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAYHAM
APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funds for payment of the consent
judgment against the state in the suit entitled Bentz C. Braud, IV, et ux v. State of
Louisiana through the Department of Transportation and Development
1 AN ACT
2 Relative to the appropriation of monies out of the state general fund to be used to pay the
3 consent judgment captioned "Bentz C. Braud, IV, et ux versus The State of Louisiana
4 through the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)" between the
5 state of Louisiana, through the Department of Transportation and Development, and
6 Bentz C. Braud, IV; to provide for an effective date, and to provide for related
7 matters.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. The sum of Four Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 ($450,000.00)
10 Dollars is hereby payable out of the State General Fund (Direct) for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
11 for payment of the consent judgment captioned "Bentz C. Braud, IV, et ux versus The State
12 of Louisiana through the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)", signed
13 on January 7, 2026, between the state of Louisiana, through the Department of
14 Transportation and Development, and Bentz C. Braud, IV, bearing number 130384, Division
15 E, on the docket of the Sixteenth Judicial District, parish of St. Mary, state of Louisiana.
16 Section 2. A sum of up to One Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 ($150,000.00)
17 Dollars awarded to Bentz C. Braud, IV, in the judgment for future medical care and related
18 benefits shall be payable from the Future Medical Care Fund pursuant to R.S. 39:1533.2.
19 Section 3. The judgment may only be paid from this appropriation if it is final and
20 shall be paid as to principal, interest, court costs, and expert witness fees as awarded in the
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HLS 26RS-440 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 97
1 judgment. If the provisions of the judgment conflict with the provisions of this Act, the
2 provisions of the judgment shall be controlling. Any other provision of this Act not in
3 conflict with the provisions of the judgment shall control. Payment shall be made only after
4 presentation to the state treasurer of documentation required by the state treasurer. Further,
5 the judgment shall be deemed to have been paid on the effective date of this Act, and interest
6 shall cease to run as of that date.
7 Section 4. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
8 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
9 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
10 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
11 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 97 Original 2026 Regular Session Bayham
Appropriates $450,000 out of the State General Fund (Direct) for FY 2025-2026 for payment
of the consent judgment against the state in the suit entitled Bentz C. Braud, IV, et ux v.
State of La. et al., bearing No. 130384, Division E, on the docket of the 16th Judicial District,
parish of St. Mary.
Appropriates up to $150,000 awarded to Bentz C. Braud, IV, in the judgment for future
medical care and related benefits payable from the Future Medical Care Fund pursuant to
R.S. 39:1533.2.
Proposed law provides relative to payment. Provides relative to conflicts between judgment
and proposed law. Prohibits accrual of interest on the judgment as of the effective date of
proposed law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
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