2016 Session

The 2016 Legislative Session included numerous bills affecting the public defense system. The legislature requested fiscal impact statements on numerous instruments. LPDB obtained a small increase in its state appropriation amid budget cuts sustained by many agencies.

HB 1/Act 17 (Representative Henry): The Legislature appropriated $33,812,626 to the Louisiana Public Defender Board through its Public Defender Fund, Indigent Parent Representation Program Fund, and DNA Testing-Post Conviction Relief for Indigents Fund.

Direct Link: http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1013096


HB 627/Act 361 (Representative Jackson): Authorizes a $20 increase to court costs in Mayor’s Courts provided that $10 of such additional court costs collected are remitted to the district public defenders office.

Direct Link: http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1011046


HB 809/Act 407 (Representative Schroder): Requires district public defender offices to handle curatorship appointments in Child in Need of Care matters.

Direct Link: http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1011378


HB 1137/Act 571 (Representative Mack): Amends the Public Defender Act by changing the composition of the Board’s membership and legislatively mandating that 65% of the Public Defender Fund be distributed to the district public defender offices.

Direct Link: http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1012812


SB 324/Act 501 (Senator Morrell): “Raise the Age” legislation raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 17 to 18 years of age.

Direct Link: http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1012088


SB 406/ Act 581 (Senator Lambert): Removes the sunset of the $10 increase to special court costs payable to Public Defenders Office upon a defendant’s conviction, plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or bond forfeiture.

Direct Link: http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1012783