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HB 983

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jack McFarland

Funds Louisiana judiciary for FY2026-27 totaling about $227.36 million, with SGF direct net increase for pay raises and staff/pay plan adjustments.

Effective date: 07/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 983

Bill Summary – HB 983 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Basic Information

  • Bill: HB 983
  • Session: 2026 Regular Session
  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Author/Sponsor: Representative McFarland
  • Committee: House Committee on Appropriations
  • Subject: Appropriations for the expenses of the judiciary for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
  • Status: Passed the House (final passage on 2026-04-16); sent to the Senate
  • Effective Date: July 1, 2026

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill appropriates funds for the ordinary operating expenses of the Louisiana judiciary for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. This includes funding for the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, District Courts, the Criminal Court of Orleans Parish, Juvenile and Family Courts, and other statutorily required courts and programs within the judiciary.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Total Funding: $229,647,995 for FY 2026-2027 (initial appropriation as introduced), drawn from:
    • State General Fund (Direct): $208,412,221
    • Interagency Transfers: $9,392,850
    • Statutory Dedications (out of Judges' Supplemental Compensation Fund and Trial Court Case Management Fund): $11,842,924
  • Net General Fund (Direct) Impact:
    • Reduction of $20,556,666 from the Direct SGF
    • Increase of $18,268,012 from SGF for specific items, resulting in a net SGF Direct total of $206,123,567
    • Specific additions funded by the SGF increase:
      • $5,031,000 for FINS
      • $6,483,096 for staff pay plan adjustment
      • $6,753,916 for salary increases for justices and judges
  • Funding Allocation by Component (FY 2026 Enacted / FY 2027 Requested/Recommended):
    • Louisiana Supreme Court: $96,674,562 (FY 26) → $102,492,829 (FY 27)
    • Courts of Appeal: $52,876,409 (FY 26) → $62,750,266 (FY 27)
    • District Courts: $47,307,063 (FY 26) → $51,595,075 (FY 27)
    • Criminal District Court, Parish of Orleans: $4,944,670 (FY 26) → $5,061,083 (FY 27)
    • Juvenile and Family Courts: $2,858,092 (FY 26) → $2,925,025 (FY 27)
    • Other Courts (Required by Statute): $3,601,525 (FY 26) → $3,929,511 (FY 27)
    • Other Programs: $829,008 (FY 26) → $894,206 (FY 27)
  • Net Total Funding:
    • FY 2026 End-of-Year (EOB): $209,091,329
    • FY 2027 Recommended (REC): $227,359,341
  • Budget Adjustments:
    • Reduction in SGF (Direct) of $20,556,666
    • Addition in SGF (Direct) of $18,268,012
  • Effective Date for New Funding: July 1, 2026
  • Amendments: House Committee on Appropriations adopted a technical amendment changing the end date from 2026 to 2027 in the bill language.

Who Is Affected

  • Judiciary Branch: All components funded under the judiciary budget will experience changes in appropriations, including salaries and pay adjustments for staff and judges, as well as allocations for operating expenses.
  • Judges and Justices: Salary increases and staff pay plan adjustments are specifically funded.
  • Judicial Agencies/Courts: Funding levels for the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, District Courts, Orleans Parish Criminal Court, Juvenile and Family Courts, and Other Statutory Courts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Date of Funding: July 1, 2026
  • FY Covered: Fiscal Year 2026-2027
  • Legislative Milestones:
    • 2026-03-23: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
    • 2026-04-13 to 04-16: Passed through readings and final passage in the House
    • Amendments: Technical amendment approved by the Committee to align with fiscal year 2027 language (end date corrected to 2027)
  • Next Step: After House passage, the bill proceeds to the Senate for consideration.

Notable Context

  • The bill reflects a net increase in the State General Fund (Direct) spending for judiciary operations after accounting for reductions and additions, with targeted funding for pay adjustments and salary increases intended to support judicial and staff compensation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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