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HB 177

COURTS/COURT REPORTERS: Excludes court reporters from the two-year waiting period for rehiring relative to termination of public service (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nicholas Muscarello

HB 177 allows retired official court reporters to be rehired on a contractual basis by the same court or jurisdiction after retirement, bypassing the two-year post-employment ban.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 177

Bill Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Session: 2026
  • Bill: HB 177
  • Sponsor: Representative Muscarello
  • Title: Courts/Court Reporters: Excludes court reporters from the two-year waiting period for rehiring relative to termination of public service

Purpose and Intent

HB 177 adds an exception to the state’s post-employment restriction regime by allowing retired or departing official court reporters to be rehired or hired on a contractual basis by the same court or jurisdiction at any time after retirement or leaving public employment. In essence, it removes the two-year prohibition on reemployment for official court reporters, specifically clarifying that they may work again for the same court or jurisdiction, even after retirement.

Note: The House amended the bill to remove language related to broader reemployment of former or retired court reporters; the final version (per amendments) centers on permitting contractual employment by the same court or jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

  • Adds R.S. 42:1121(K):

    • Prohibits nothing in this section from preventing former official court reporters employed in any judicial district court or city court from being hired on a contractual basis or reemployed with the same court or jurisdiction at any time after retirement or leaving the court.

  • Original and amended text indicate:

    • Present law generally bars former public employees from providing compensated assistance or contractual services for two years after termination.
    • The bill creates an exception specifically for official court reporters, allowing contractual work or reemployment with the same court/jurisdiction post-retirement.

  • Amendments to HB 177:

    • Committee amendments removed broad language about reemployment of all former or retired court reporters, narrowing the provision to reinstatement or contractual engagement with the same court or jurisdiction.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Affected: Official court reporters who previously worked for a judicial district court or city court in Louisiana.
  • Scope: The exception applies to being hired on a contractual basis or reemployed by the same court or jurisdiction after retirement or departure.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: The bill progressed through the legislative process in 2026, with multiple readings and committee consideration.
  • Next steps (typical): If enacted, the provision would become effective according to the state’s standard effective-date rules for new statutes (not specified in the provided text).
  • Note on amendments: The committee amendments narrowed the scope, removing broader reemployment provisions and focusing on contractual employment with the same court/jurisdiction.

Summary

HB 177 creates a targeted exception to the two-year post-employment restriction by allowing retired official court reporters to be rehired on a contractual basis or reemployed by the same court or jurisdiction after retirement. The bill clarifies that the standard two-year prohibition on former public employees’ compensated post-employment activities does not apply to official court reporters seeking contractual work with their former court. An amendment narrowed the initial language, restricting the exception to employment with the same court or jurisdiction, rather than applying more broadly to all former or retired court reporters.

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

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