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HB 559

COURTS/COURT COSTS: Increases court costs for the Fourth Judicial District (EN +$313,179 LF RV See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adrian Fisher

Raises the cap for Judicial Expense Fund contributions in the Fourth JDC from $15 to $35 per civil filing and per criminal disposition, amounts set by judges en banc.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 559

Summary of HB 559 (2026) – Louisiana

Basic purpose

HB 559 seeks to increase the maximum amount that can be collected for the Judicial Expense Fund in the Fourth Judicial District Court. Specifically, it raises the cap from $15 to $35 for both civil filings and criminal cases.

What the bill does

  • Amends and reenacts R.S. 13:996.42(A) to modify the Judicial Expense Fund (JEF) collections for the Fourth JDC.
  • For civil proceedings: The clerk of court shall collect a sum from every filer who is not exempt by law, with the amount determined by the judges of the Fourth JDC sitting en banc, but not to exceed $35.
  • For criminal cases: In every case where a defendant is convicted after trial, pleads guilty, or forfeits bond, there shall be an additional cost assessed against the defendant, with the amount determined by the judges en banc, but not to exceed $35. This amount is in addition to other fines, costs, or forfeitures.
  • The collected funds continue to be deposited into the Judicial Expense Fund for the Fourth JDC.

Key provisions and changes

  • Current law cap: $15 per civil filing and $15 per criminal case (as applicable) to be deposited into the JEF.
  • New cap under HB 559: Up to $35 per civil filing and up to $35 per criminal conviction/plea/forfeiture.
  • The determination of the exact amount remains with the Fourth JDC judges sitting en banc.
  • Funds remain designated for the judicial expense fund used to support administration and functions of the Fourth JDC and its judges.

Who/what is affected

  • Civil litigants filing in the Fourth Judicial District Court (Orleans Parish and surrounding jurisdictions within the Fourth JDC context, depending on how the district is defined in statute).
  • Defendants in criminal cases heard by the Fourth JDC who are convicted, plead guilty, or forfeit bond.
  • The Fourth Judicial District Court’s administrative operations, through the Judicial Expense Fund, which finances court-related expenses.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill is an amendment to existing law and becomes effective upon enactment (as part of the statutory change to R.S. 13:996.42(A)).
  • The bill’s fiscal mechanism is ongoing, applying to all qualifying civil filings and criminal dispositions in the Fourth JDC after the effective date.
  • Legislative history indicates swift processing in the 2026 session, with passage through committee and floor actions prior to final enactment.

Practical impact

  • Increases in court costs paid by civil litigants filing in the Fourth JDC and by defendants in criminal cases when convicted, pleaded guilty, or forfeited bond.
  • Additional revenue to the Judicial Expense Fund, which supports court administration and judge offices in the Fourth JDC.
  • Potentially higher total cost of litigation and criminal proceedings for those impacted, though the funds are earmarked for court-related expenditures.

Summary in one line

HB 559 raises the maximum annual court costs contributing to the Fourth JDC’s Judicial Expense Fund from $15 to $35 for both civil filings and criminal dispositions, with the exact amount set by the district’s judges en banc.

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

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