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HB 571

COURTS/COURT COSTS: Provides relative to creating the Complex Litigation Section Program in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Vanessa LaFleur

Makes the Complex Litigation Section Program in the 19th JDC permanent, with a $200 per-case filing fee and a dedicated fund with annual audits.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 813.
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Bill Summary · HB 571

Bill Summary – HB 571 (2026 Louisiana Regular Session)

Title

Courts/Court Costs: Provides relative to creating the Complex Litigation Section Program in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish and permanently codify the Complex Litigation Section Program within the 19th Judicial District Court (19th JDC).
  • Move beyond the pilot status of the program and make the Complex Litigation Section (CLS) a permanent feature of the 19th JDC operations.

What the Bill Would Change (Key Provisions)

  • Amends and reenacts R.S. 13:842.4 to define and codify the Complex Litigation Section Program in the 19th JDC, including its structure and operation.
  • Repeals R.S. 13:842.4(D) in its entirety, which previously described the pilot program’s temporary nature and related funding mechanics.
  • Retains core elements of the existing law governing the CLS, including how cases are referred to the CLS and associated processes, but removes the temporary/two-year limit.

Specific Provisions (as described in the bill’s text and digest)

  • The 19th JDC is authorized to establish the Complex Litigation Section Pilot Program (as a current framework) and to collect additional filing fees for complex litigation cases.
  • The clerk of court may require and collect a filing fee of $200 for each case referred to the CLS.
  • Funds generated by CLS filings are to be deposited into a dedicated Complex Litigation Section Fund, with the court maintaining accurate records and conducting an annual audit, filed with the Legislative Auditor.
  • The program’s previous two-year duration under present law is repealed, and the program is made permanent.

Who and What Would Be Affected

  • Parties involved in complex litigation cases in the 19th JDC (e.g., plaintiffs, defendants, counsel) would be subject to the CLS referral process and associated filing fee.
  • The 19th JDC and its clerk’s office would administer CLS referrals, collect fees, and manage fund accounting for the Complex Litigation Section Fund.
  • The Legislative Auditor and the public would have ongoing oversight via annual audits of the CLS Fund.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Present law: CLS Pilot Program effective for two years unless extended by legislation.
  • Proposed law: Removes the temporary pilot language, making the CLS Program permanent. This implies no automatic sunset and ongoing operation, subject to future legislative action if changes are desired.

Financial Implications

  • A $200 filing fee applies to each case referred to the CLS.
  • Fees are collected and placed into a dedicated Complex Litigation Section Fund, with required recordkeeping and annual audits.

Support and Status

  • History indicates favorable committee actions and floor consideration in 2026.
  • Primary sponsor: Representative Vanessa LaFleur (co-sponsor noted as well).
  • The bill’s fiscal and administrative provisions emphasize permanency and transparency in the CLS program.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current pilot program text or extract the exact language changes for reference.

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

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