APPROPRIATIONS: Appropriates funds for the expenses of the judiciary for Fiscal Year 2026-2027

HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 983
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND
APPROPRIATIONS: Appropriates funds for the expenses of the judiciary for Fiscal Year
2026-2027
1 AN ACT
2 To appropriate funds to defray the expenses of the Louisiana Judiciary, including the
3 Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, District Courts, Criminal District Court of Orleans
4 Parish, and other courts; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. A. The sum of Two Hundred Twenty-Nine Million Six Hundred Forty-
8 Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Five and No/100 ($229,647,995) Dollars, or so much
9 thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to defray the expenses of the judiciary,
10 including the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, the District Courts, the Criminal District
11 Court of Orleans Parish, and of the other courts.
12 B. The total amount herein appropriated is hereby allocated to provide as follows:
13 03-8170 SUPREME COURT
14 Program Description: The Supreme Court has general supervisory jurisdiction over all lower courts.
15 It may establish procedural and administrative rules not in conflict with law and may assign a sitting or
16 retired judge to any court. The Supreme Court has sole authority to provide by rule for appointments of
17 attorneys as temporary or ad hoc judges. It considers applications for writs to review individual cases,
18 and has criminal and other appellate jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction
19 of disciplinary proceedings against lawyers, recommendations of the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana
20 for the discipline of judges, and fact questions affecting its appellate jurisdiction. It has inherent authority
21 to regulate the legal profession and to promulgate and update the Code of Judicial Conduct. The court
22 also provides judicial training through the Judicial College and works to improve the administration of
23 justice.
24 FY 26 EOB FY 27 REC
25 01 Salaries of one (1) Chief Justice and
26 six (6) Associate Justices of the
27 Supreme Court, as provided by
28 R.S. 13:102 $ 1,282,315 $ 1,389,275
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 02 Salaries and other expenses of the
2 Supreme Court Proper and salary of
3 the Crier of the Supreme Court $ 12,756,202 $ 14,551,918
4 03 Expenses of Judicial Administrator's
5 Office and of the Judiciary
6 Commission provided for in Article V,
7 Section 25 of the Constitution of
8 Louisiana and under the provisions of
9 R.S. 13:32 et seq.
10 A. Expenses of Judicial
11 Administrator's Office $ 6,275,493 $ 7,231,002
12 Program Description: The Judicial Administrator's Office assists the Supreme Court in the
13 administration of the state court system. It staffs the Judicial Council and the Judiciary Commission of
14 Louisiana. Through the Judicial Council, it performs studies and makes recommendations for the creation
15 of new judgeships and for improving the administration of justice. The Judicial Administrator's Office
16 provides payroll and other fiscal services to the Judiciary, including the administration of a judicial
17 retirement system; support for the Supreme Court and Appellate Court human resource system; and
18 support for judicial branch reporting obligations. The Judicial Administrator's Office also manages the
19 ad hoc judgeship system, monitors cases under advisement, provides support for initiatives to ensure
20 access to the courts for limited English proficiency individuals; provides outreach services to state and
21 local courts, applies for and administers grants to improve judicial administration; and staffs the
22 Committee on Judicial Ethics. The Judicial Administrator’s office administers several programs, including
23 the Supreme Court Drug Court / Specialty Court Office, the Louisiana Protective Order Registry, and
24 CASA and FINS through the Division of Children and Families. The Judicial Administrator’s office also
25 provides staff support for the Louisiana Judicial College, and performs numerous legal services for the
26 Supreme Court and the Judiciary.
27 B. Expenses of Judiciary Commission $ 2,386,103 $ 3,300,240
28 Program Description: The Judiciary Commission of Louisiana is a constitutional body established under
29 Article V, Section 25 of the Constitution of 1974 to accept, screen, investigate, and prosecute complaints
30 of judicial misconduct. As part of its authority, it may recommend to the Supreme Court the censure,
31 suspension, removal from office, or involuntary retirement of any judge for ethical misconduct.
32 C. Statistical Reporting Systems $ 367,770 $ 385,212
33 D. Dues to National Center for
34 State Courts $ 186,000 $ 186,000
35 04 Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary
36 Board, as per Louisiana Supreme
37 Court Rule XIX $ 3,000 $ 3,000
38 05 Compensation and expenses of retired
39 judges assigned under Article V,
40 Section 5(A) of the Constitution of
41 Louisiana, be it more or less
42 estimated at $ 873,866 $ 1,008,236
43 06 Law Library of Louisiana for salaries,
44 services, supplies, maintenance, repairs,
45 and equipment $ 1,983,606 $ 2,194,758
46
47 Program Description: The Law Library of Louisiana serves the legal information needs of the state
48 judiciary, and is open to members of the bar and public.
49 07 Salaries and expenses of transferred
50 judges assigned under Article V,
51 Section 5(A) of the Constitution,
52 be it more or less estimated as $ 75,000 $ 78,750
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 08 Retirement pay for services rendered by
2 justices and judges of all courts, as
3 provided by R.S. 11:1358 $ 539,000 $ 458,935
4 09 Pensions for widows of justices and
5 judges of all courts, as provided by
6 R.S. 11:1371 and R.S. 11:1381, be it
7 more or less estimated at $ 715,000 $ 729,300
8 10 Judicial College $ 271,508 $ 372,976
9 Program Description: The Judicial College was established by order of the Supreme Court in 1976 to
10 provide continuing legal education to Louisiana judges.
11 11 State contribution to judicial
12 retirement provided for in Article V,
13 Section 23 of the Constitution and
14 R.S. 11:551 et seq., be it more or
15 less estimated at $ 19,638,283 $ 20,034,525
16 12 Civil commitment matters as
17 required by R.S. 28:54 $ 394,520 $ 394,520
18 13 Paul M. Hebert Law Center for
19 expenses of storage of appellate
20 court records $ 60,000 $ 60,000
21 14 Funding for statewide operations of the
22 Louisiana Protective Order Registry
23 (R.S. 46:2136.2) under the Case
24 Management Information System $ 1,598,319 $ 1,829,518
25 15 Information Technology $ 2,199,682 $ 2,377,527
26 16 Operational expenses of
27 the Families in Need of Services
28 Program (FINS) $ 3,606,522 $ 3,724,483
29 Program Description: The mission of the FINS Assistance Program is to assist local FINS processes by
30 developing and implementing a needs-based allocation formula; developing, implementing, and mandating
31 the use of a uniform data system for tracking, managing, and reporting FINS informal cases; developing
32 and mandating the use of programmatic standards; developing, implementing, and reporting performance
33 indicators and measures; requiring and monitoring periodic fiscal reports and financial accountability;
34 and, generally supervising and assisting local FINS processes in other ways.
35
36 17 Louisiana Drug and Specialty Courts $ 21,235,993 $ 21,353,718
37 Program Description: Louisiana Drug and Specialty Courts, such as Drug/DWI Treatment Courts,
38 authorized in 1977 by R.S. 13:5301-5304; Reentry Courts, authorized in 2010 by R.S. 13:5401; Mental
39 Health Courts, authorized in 2013 by R.S. 13:5353 - 5358; Swift and Certain Program, authorized by R.S.
40 13:5371; and Veterans Treatment Courts, authorized in 2014 by R.S. 13:5361 - 5368, are proven and
41 effective alternatives to traditional criminal justice interventions. These programs provide integrated
42 treatment for substance use and mental health disorders, including the appropriate use of sanctions and
43 incentives along with case management, to place participants in need of services into appropriate
44 community-based and judicially supervised rehabilitation programs. Clients are regularly tested and
45 monitored for compliance with educational, employment, and treatment requirements pursuant to current
46 best practices and the proven national model.
47 18 Court Appointed Special Advocates $ 8,383,456 $ 8,986,012
48 Program Description: The purpose of the CASA Assistance Program is to promote timely placement of
49 children in need of care in permanent, safe and stable homes, in accordance with the provisions of
50 Children's Code articles 424-426. Services are provided through local CASA programs which recruit,
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 screen, train and supervise community advocates. Upon appointment by the trial judge, qualified
2 advocates serve children by providing independent factual information to the judge, advocating for the best
3 interest of the children, monitoring cases to which they have been assigned, and advising and assisting the
4 judge in the determination of the best interest of the children involved.
5 19 Judges' supplemental compensation
6 R.S. 13:10.3, be it more or less
7 estimated at $ 7,785,844 $ 7,785,844
8 Program Description: The Judges' Supplemental Compensation Fund was established by the Legislature
9 in 1985 to fund salary supplements and salary-related expenses to judges and commissioners. The funding
10 source is a non-refundable filing fee assessed on civil filings as provided in R.S. 13:10.3.
11 20 Case Management Information System,
12 Article 887(F) of the Code of Criminal
13 Procedure, be it more or less
14 estimated at $ 4,057,080 $ 4,057,080
15 Program Description: The Case Management Information System (CMIS) was created by the Supreme
16 Court in 1993 to provide a statewide information system for tracking and managing criminal, civil,
17 juvenile, traffic, and appellate cases as well as protective orders. Data is received from courts statewide,
18 transferred to the CMIS repository, and made available to courts and executive branch agencies.
19 Additional information will also be available from the Department of Public Safety & Corrections. CMIS
20 is funded from a court cost assessed on all criminal and traffic convictions as provided under
21 C.Cr.P.887(F).
22 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $ 96,674,562 $ 102,492,829
23 MEANS OF FINANCE:
24 State General Fund (Direct) $ 75,438,788 $ 81,257,055
25 State General Fund by:
26 Interagency Transfers $ 9,392,850 $ 9,392,850
27 Statutory Dedications:
28 Judges' Supplemental Compensation
29 Fund $ 7,785,844 $ 7,785,844
30 Trial Court Case Management
31 Information Fund $ 4,057,080 $ 4,057,080
32 TOTAL MEANS OF FINANCING $ 96,674,562 $ 102,492,829
33 03-8171 COURTS OF APPEAL
34 Program Description: The five courts of appeal, domiciled in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lake Charles,
35 New Orleans, and Gretna, have supervisory jurisdiction over all cases arising within their respective
36 circuits, subject to the general supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Each court of appeal also
37 has appellate jurisdiction over all civil matters, all matters appealed from family and juvenile courts, and
38 all criminal cases triable by a jury which arise within its circuit, except for those cases appealable directly
39 to the Supreme Court or to the district courts.
40 FY 26 EOB FY 27 REC
41 01 Salaries of five (5) Chief Judges
42 and forty-eight (48) Judges of
43 the Courts of Appeal, R.S. 13:311 $ 9,022,841 $ 9,959,881
44 02 Salaries and expenses of operation
45 and maintenance of the Court of
46 appeal, First Circuit $ 11,466,595 $ 14,190,714
47 03 Salaries and expenses of operation
48 and maintenance of the Court of
49 appeal, Second Circuit $ 6,494,697 $ 7,640,157
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 04 Salaries and expenses of operation
2 and maintenance of the Court of
3 appeal, Third Circuit $ 9,876,889 $ 11,520,614
4 05 Salaries and expenses of operation
5 and maintenance of the Court of
6 Appeal, Fourth Circuit $ 9,216,537 $ 10,845,175
7 06 Salaries and expenses of operation
8 and maintenance of the Court of
9 Appeal, Fifth Circuit $ 6,798,850 $ 8,593,725
10 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $ 52,876,409 $ 62,750,266
11 MEANS OF FINANCE:
12 State General Fund (Direct) $ 52,876,409 $ 62,750,266
13 TOTAL MEANS OF FINANCING $ 52,876,409 $ 62,750,266
14 03-8172 DISTRICT COURTS - SALARIES AND OFFICE EXPENSES AS
15 REQUIRED BY STATUTE
16 Program Description: There are forty-one district courts in Louisiana that have general jurisdiction over
17 all matters within their territorial limits, except in those judicial districts (the 1st, the 19th, and the 24th
18 Judicial Districts) where family and juvenile courts have exclusive jurisdiction over certain types of cases
19 and except in Orleans Parish where there are separate courts exercising civil, criminal, and juvenile
20 jurisdictions. In certain cases, the forty-one general jurisdiction courts have concurrent jurisdiction with
21 justices of the peace and parish courts. The district courts generally have appellate jurisdiction of
22 criminal cases tried by city, parish, municipal, traffic, and mayors' courts, except in certain cases. The
23 district courts also have appellate jurisdiction over justices of the peace in parishes where no parish courts
24 exist. The Civil District Court of Orleans Parish has jurisdiction of all civil cases in that parish. The
25 Criminal District Court of Orleans Parish has jurisdiction over all criminal cases in that parish. It also
26 has general supervisory jurisdiction over the municipal and traffic court in Orleans Parish. The Family
27 Court of East Baton Rouge Parish has exclusive jurisdiction of many domestic cases in that parish. The
28 four juvenile courts located in Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, and Orleans parishes have exclusive
29 jurisdiction of juvenile cases in their respective parishes.
30 FY 26 EOB FY 27 REC
31 01 Salaries of two hundred twenty-one
32 (221) District Judges as provided
33 by R.S. 13:691 $ 35,543,471 $ 39,113,459
34 02 Office and travel expenses of District
35 Judges as provided by R.S. 13:698
36 and R.S. 13:694, respectively $ 1,448,650 $ 1,471,300
37
38 03 Salaries of two (2) Court Reporters
39 of the Twentieth Judicial District Court,
40 including retirement contributions, as
41 provided by R.S. 13:966.1 $ 114,514 $ 114,979
42 04 Clerk of Civil District Court, Orleans
43 Parish, as provided by R.S. 13:1212(A) $ 10,000 $ 10,000
44 05 State share of Group, Workers'
45 Compensation, General Liability, and
46 Property Insurance Premiums as
47 provided by R.S. 42:851 $ 8,663,498 $ 9,187,615
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 06 Salaries of two (2) commissioners of
2 the Nineteenth Judicial District and
3 one (1) commissioner of the Fifteenth
4 Judicial District as provided by
5 R.S. 13:712 and R.S. 13:715,
6 respectively $ 650,843 $ 675,343
7 07 Office expenses for the Judicial
8 Expense Fund of the Nineteenth Judicial
9 District Court as provided by
10 R.S. 13:711-713 $ 483,945 $ 616,348
11 08 Office expenses for the Judicial
12 Expense Fund of the Fifteenth
13 Judicial District Court as provided
14 by R.S. 13:714-716 $ 307,831 $ 321,720
15 09 Law Clerk, Twentieth Judicial District
16 Court as provided by Act 747 of 1977 $ 49,311 $ 49,311
17 10 For the expenses of the Judicial Expense
18 Fund, Tenth Judicial District Court as
19 provided by Act 57 of 2006 $ 35,000 $ 35,000
20 SUBTOTAL $ 47,307,063 $ 51,595,075
21 11 Criminal Court - Parish of Orleans
22 Program Description: The Criminal District Court for the Parish of Orleans has
23 exclusive jurisdiction of the trial and punishment of all crimes, misdemeanors, and
24 offenses committed within the parish of Orleans, if the jurisdiction is not vested by law
25 in some other court. The court, through its magistrate and with assistance from its
26 commissioners, has the power of committing magistrates in all felony charges and the
27 power to hold preliminary examinations, with authority to bail or discharge, or to hold
28 for trial, in all cases before the court. The court has appellate jurisdiction of all cases
29 tried before the Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans and has general
30 supervisory jurisdiction over these courts.
31 A. State's share of group insurance
32 for personnel of Criminal Court
33 as provided by R.S. 42:851 $ 849,145 $ 904,573
34 B. Salaries of thirteen (13) minute
35 clerks as provided by R.S.
36 13:1373.1 $ 294,775 $ 278,349
37 C. Salaries of twenty-six (26) court
38 reporters as provided by R.S.
39 13:1373.1 $ 460,845 $ 438,052
40 D. Salaries of four (4) commissioners
41 of Criminal Court, Orleans Parish,
42 including related benefits as
43 provided by R.S. 13:1347 $ 567,412 $ 578,938
44 E. Office and travel expenses of
45 commissioners as provided by
46 R.S. 13:1347 $ 10,600 $ 10,600
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 F. Salaries of four (4) minute clerks,
2 one for each commissioner
3 as provided by R.S. 13:1347 $ 79,683 $ 76,113
4 G. Salaries of four (4) court reporters,
5 one for each commissioner
6 as provided by R.S. 13:1347 $ 58,103 $ 55,854
7 H. Salaries of Judicial Administrator,
8 and assistants, including
9 related benefits $ 1,102,944 $ 1,155,866
10 I. Salaries of thirteen (13) law clerks $ 785,166 $ 797,217
11 J. Salaries of four (4) secretaries $ 227,400 $ 237,679
12 K. Sanity Commissions $ 58,855 $ 60,209
13 L. Board of Jury Commissioners $ 449,742 $ 467,633
14 SUBTOTAL $ 4,944,670 $ 5,061,083
15 12 Juvenile and Family Court Judges
16 A. Salaries of twelve (12) Juvenile
17 Court Judges as provided by
18 R.S. 13:691 $ 2,110,850 $ 2,124,769
19 B. Salaries of four (4) Family Court
20 Judges as provided by R.S. 13:691 $ 649,492 $ 708,256
21 C. Office and travel expenses of Juvenile
22 and Family Court Judges as
23 provided by R.S. 13:698 and
24 R.S. 13:694, respectively $ 97,750 $ 92,000
25 SUBTOTAL $ 2,858,092 $ 2,925,025
26 TOTAL EXPENDITURES (District Courts): $ 55,109,825 $ 59,581,183
27 MEANS OF FINANCE:
28 State General Fund (Direct) $ 55,109,825 $ 59,581,183
29 TOTAL MEANS OF FINANCING
30 (District Courts): $ 55,109,825 $ 59,581,183
31 03-8173 OTHER COURTS - SALARIES AND OFFICE EXPENSES AS
32 REQUIRED BY STATUTE
33 Program Description: The category includes forty-seven city courts, one municipal and traffic court
34 (New Orleans), and one parish court (Ascension Parish).
35 FY 26 EOB FY 27 REC
36 01 Salaries of sixty (60) City Court
37 Judges as provided by R.S. 13:1875 $ 3,145,602 $ 3,432,068
38 02 Salaries of seven (7) Municipal and
39 Traffic and one (1) Parish Court
40 Judge as provided by R.S. 13:2492
41 and 2563.5, respectively $ 455,923 $ 497,443
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 TOTAL EXPENDITURES (OTHER COURTS
2 REQUIRED BY STATUTE) $ 3,601,525 $ 3,929,511
3 MEANS OF FINANCE:
4 State General Fund (Direct) $ 3,601,525 $ 3,929,511
5 TOTAL MEANS OF FINANCE (OTHER
6 COURTS REQUIRED BY STATUTE) $ 3,601,525 $ 3,929,511
7 03-8174 OTHER COURTS - SALARIES AND OFFICE EXPENSES NOT
8 REQUIRED BY STATUTE
9 FY 26 EOB FY 27 REC
10 01 Orleans Parish Juvenile Protective
11 Care Monitoring Program $ 645,551 $ 700,208
12 Program Description: The program tracks and maintains child abuse and neglect cases in the Orleans
13 Parish Juvenile Court. It also provides assistance in support of the Families in Need of Services Program.
14 02 Orleans Parish Juvenile Court
15 Reporters $ 121,580 $ 130,698
16 03 For the expenses of the Judges'
17 Assistance Program $ 61,877 $ 63,300
18 Program Description: The Judges' Assistance Program provides counseling and other assistance to
19 judges with substance abuse problems.
20 TOTAL EXPENDITURES (OTHER COURTS
21 NOT REQUIRED BY STATUTE) $ 829,008 $ 894,206
22 MEANS OF FINANCE:
23 State General Fund (Direct) $ 829,008 $ 894,206
24 TOTAL MEANS OF FINANCE (OTHER
25 COURTS NOT REQUIRED BY
26 STATUTE) $ 829,008 $ 894,206
27 Section 2.A. The Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, or his duly authorized
28 and appointed agent, shall warrant the state treasurer for the allocations herein provided, or
29 for so much thereof as may be necessary. The aforesaid warrant shall be paid out of the state
30 general fund, and the state treasurer shall pay said warrant by preference over all other
31 warrants, except warrants for the salaries of constitutional officers of the state and warrants
32 for expenses of the legislature, which shall be concurrent with the warrant provided by this
33 Act.
34 B. The funds drawn as provided herein shall be deposited in the name of the judiciary
35 in an approved bank that has been selected by the Louisiana Supreme Court and is located
36 in the state.
37 C. Any funds herein allocated to the judiciary, any portion of the funds previously
38 appropriated to the judiciary, other revenue of the judiciary or its agencies, and interest
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 earnings are hereby appropriated and may be used to defray the expenses of the judiciary;
2 however, all funds remaining unexpended or unencumbered shall be returnable to the state
3 general fund on or before September 1, 2027.
4 D. For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, any surpluses occurring in the appropriations made in
5 this Act may be transferred from one agency or line-item to another during the fiscal year
6 in accordance with the rules of the Judicial Budgetary Control Board, or as approved by the
7 Louisiana Supreme Court.
8 E. The adjustment to be made in the salaries of judicial employees and the number of
9 authorized positions of the judiciary shall be as decided by the judicial agency affected,
10 subject to the approval of the Judicial Budgetary Control Board, or as approved by the
11 Louisiana Supreme Court.
12 F. The program descriptions contained in this Act are not part of the law and are not
13 enacted into law by virtue of their inclusion in this Act.
14 G. The inclusion in this Act of staff salaries and benefits for lower court or other judicial
15 branch agency employees shall not be deemed to create or impose any obligation upon the
16 State of Louisiana judicial branch, the Louisiana Supreme Court, the Judicial Budgetary
17 Control Board, or the Louisiana Supreme Court Judicial Administrator's Office relative to
18 the administration of pay, retirement, or other benefits to any such employees. Accordingly,
19 the State of Louisiana judicial branch, the Louisiana Supreme Court, the Judicial Budgetary
20 Control Board, and the Louisiana Supreme Court Judicial Administrator's Office are not to
21 be considered the "employer" or "employing agency" of lower court or other judicial agency
22 employees whose staff salaries and other benefits are included in this Act.
23 Section 3. A. The appropriations, and the allocations of such appropriations, from the
24 State General Fund (Direct) contained in Section 1 of this Act shall be reduced by a total
25 amount of Twenty Million Five Hundred Fifty-Six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Six
26 ($20,556,666) Dollars, pursuant to a plan adopted by the Judicial Budgetary Control Board
27 or the Louisiana Supreme Court.
28 B. The appropriations, and the allocations of such appropriations, from the State General
29 Fund (Direct) contained in Section 1 of this Act shall be increased by a total amount of
30 Eighteen Million Two Hundred Sixty-Eight Thousand Twelve and No/100 ($18,268,012)
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
1 Dollars to be distributed as follows: Five Million Thirty-One Thousand ($5,031,000) Dollars
2 for Families in Need of Services; Six Million Four Hundred Eight-Three Thousand Ninety-
3 Six ($6,483,096) Dollars for an adjustment to the staff pay plan; and Six Million Seven
4 Hundred Fifty-Three Thousand Nine Hundred Sixteen ($6,753,916) Dollars for a salary
5 increases for justices of the supreme court and judges of the courts of appeal, district courts,
6 juvenile and family courts, and other courts.
7 Section 4. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026; if vetoed by the governor
8 and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1,
9 2026, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.
10 COMPARATIVE STATEMENT
11 In accordance with R.S. 39:51(D), the following represents a comparative statement for each
12 Court and program. The existing operating budget for FY 2025-2026 is compared to the
13 appropriations for FY 2026-2027 as contained in the original bill.
14 Existing Operating Budget Appropriation Request
15 Courts and Programs FY 2025-2026 FY 2026-2027
16 By Expenditure:
17 Supreme Court $ 96,674,562 $ 102,492,829
18 Courts of Appeal $ 52,876,409 $ 62,750,266
19 District Courts $ 55,109,825 $ 59,581,183
20 Other Courts (statutory) $ 3,601,525 $ 3,929,511
21 Other Programs (non-statutory) $ 829,008 $ 894,206
22 Reduction $ 0 $ (20,556,666)
23 Addition $ 0 $ 18,268,012
24 Total Expenditures $ 209,091,329 $ 227,359,341
25 By Means of Finance:
26 Total General Fund (Direct) $ 187,855,555 $ 208,412,221
27 Reduction General Fund (Direct) $ 0 $ (20,556,666)
28 Additional General Fund (Direct) $ 0 $ 18,268,012
29 Total Interagency Transfers $ 9,392,850 $ 9,392,850
30 Total Statutory Dedications $ 11,842,924 $ 11,842,9244
31 Total Funding $ 209,091,329 $ 227,359,341
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 983 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session McFarland
Abstract: Appropriates funds for FY 2026-2027 for expenses of the Louisiana Judiciary,
including the supreme court, courts of appeal, district courts, Criminal Court of Orleans
Parish, juvenile and family courts, and other courts.
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HLS 26RS-663 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 983
Appropriates funds for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for the ordinary operating expenses of the
judicial branch of government with total funding of $229,647,995 from the following
sources: $208,412,221 State General Fund (Direct); $9,392,850 Interagency Transfers;
$11,842,924 Statutory Dedications out of the Judges' Supplemental Compensation Fund
and the Trial Court Case Management Fund.
Reduces State General Fund (Direct) by ($20,556,666).
Increases State General Fund (Direct) by $18,268,012 for the following:
1. $5,031,000 for FINS;
2. $6,483,096 for staff pay plan adjustment; and
3. $6,753,916 for salary increases for justices and judges.
Net total of State General Fund (Direct): $206,123,567.
Funding for the ordinary operating expenses of the judicial branch of government is
provided as follows:
FY 26 EOB FY 27 REC
Louisiana Supreme Court $ 96,674,562 $ 102,492,829
Courts of Appeal $ 52,876,409 $ 62,750,266
District Courts $ 47,307,063 $ 51,595,075
Criminal District Court,
Parish of Orleans $ 4,944,670 $ 5,061,083
Juvenile and Family Courts $ 2,858,092 $ 2,925,025
Other Courts (Required by Statute) $ 3,601,525 $ 3,929,511
Other Programs $ 829,008 $ 894,206
Reduction (SGF) $ 0 $ (20,556,666)
Addition (SGF) $ 0 $ 18,268,012
Total Funding $ 209,091,329 $ 227,359,341
Effective July 1, 2026.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to
the original bill:
1. Make a technical change.
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