WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 719

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS/ASST: Provides relative to the number of assistant district attorneys in each judicial district (EN +$3,411,000 GF EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Roy Adams and 35 co-sponsors

HB 719 sets district-by-district minimums for assistant district attorneys, with increases effective after Commission approval and guideline compliance.

Effective date: 06/08/2026.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 719

Legislative Bill Summary: HB 719 (2026, Louisiana)

Overview

  • Bill: HB 719
  • Session: 2026 Regular Session
  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Author/Co-sponsors: Reps. Egan and Gallé
  • Subject: District Attorneys/Assistant District Attorneys – specifies the number of assistant district attorneys (ADAs) in each judicial district

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill amends and reenacts R.S. 16:51(A) to establish explicit minimums for the total number of assistant district attorneys in every judicial district (and the parish of Orleans) in Louisiana.
  • Goal: Standardize and potentially增增 increase the overall ADA staffing across districts to support prosecutors’ offices and workload demands.

Key Provisions (What the Bill Does)

  • Mandatory ADA Totals by District: Sets specific minimum numbers of ADAs for each judicial district (and Orleans Parish). Examples include:
    • First Judicial District: 35–36 ADAs
    • Second Judicial District: 10–11
    • Third Judicial District: 9–10
    • Fourth Judicial District: 26–27
    • Fifth Judicial District: 7–8
    • Sixth Judicial District: 7–8
    • Seventh Judicial District: 6–7
    • Eighth Judicial District: 4–5
    • Ninth Judicial District: 15–16
    • Tenth Judicial District: 5–6
    • Eleventh Judicial District: 4–5
    • Twelfth Judicial District: 8–9
    • Thirteenth Judicial District: 5–6
    • Fourteenth Judicial District: 25–26
    • Fifteenth Judicial District: 28–29
    • Sixteenth Judicial District: 23–24
    • Seventeenth Judicial District: 13–14
    • Eighteenth Judicial District: 13–14
    • Nineteenth Judicial District: 55–56
    • Twentieth Judicial District: 5–6
    • Twenty-First Judicial District: 19–20
    • Twenty-Second Judicial District: 30–31
    • Twenty-Third Judicial District: 19–20
    • Twenty-Fourth Judicial District: 54–55
    • Twenty-Fifth Judicial District: 5–6
    • Twenty-Sixth Judicial District: 13–14
    • Twenty-Seventh Judicial District: 12–13
    • Twenty-Eighth Judicial District: 3–4
    • Twenty-Ninth Judicial District: 10–11
    • Thirtieth Judicial District: 6–7
    • Thirty-First Judicial District: 4–5
    • Thirty-Second Judicial District: 21–22
    • Thirty-Third Judicial District: 4–5
    • Thirty-Fourth Judicial District: 9–10
    • Thirty-Fifth Judicial District: 4–5
    • Thirty-Sixth Judicial District: 5–6
    • Thirty-Seventh Judicial District: 3–4
    • Orleans Parish: 83–84
    • Thirty-Eighth Judicial District: 2–3
    • Thirty-Ninth Judicial District: 2–3
    • Fortieth Judicial District: 9–10
    • Forty-Second Judicial District: 4–5
  • Effective Date Contingent on Commission Recommendation: The number changes become effective January 1, 2027, but only if the Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys (the Commission) provides a favorable recommendation confirming that the additional ADAs meet applicable guidelines. No new ADAs may be appointed without Commission approval.
  • Administrative Mechanism: Any change in ADA headcount is subject to commission review and approval before becoming effective.

Affected Parties

  • District Attorneys’ Offices: Each judicial district (and Orleans Parish) would be required to maintain at least the specified minimum number of ADAs.
  • Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys: Must review and approve the proposed increases to ADA staffing, ensuring compliance with guidelines.
  • Citizens/Legal Community: Potentially faster or more robust case handling, improved caseload management, and resource allocation in prosecutor offices.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Referral and Consideration: Referred to the House Judiciary Committee for review (date: March 9, 2026; initial referral February 27, 2026).
  • Effective Date Condition: Effective January 1, 2027, contingent upon the Commission’s favorable recommendation and compliance with guidelines.
  • Approval Requirement: No new ADAs may be appointed beyond current totals without Commission approval.

Summary Assessment

HB 719 establishes explicit, district-by-district minimums for assistant district attorneys and ties the effective date to a Commission review and guideline compliance. If enacted, it could lead to a substantial increase in ADA staffing in many districts (notably Orleans Parish and several larger districts), subject to budgetary resources and Commission endorsement. The policy aims to improve prosecutorial capacity and caseload management, with a governance step to ensure adherence to standards before implementation.

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

Sign in to ask a question.