Louisiana HB644: COURTS/COURT COSTS: Provides for the assessment of a fee for filing civil and criminal matters (EN +$694,384 SG RV See Note)

What the bill says

An act To amend and reenact R.S. 13:86, relative to court costs; to provide relative to court costs collected for civil filings and criminal convictions; to provide for the allocation of such costs; to provide for the use of proceeds of such costs; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S. 13:86, relative to court costs; to provide relative to court costs collected for civil filings and criminal convictions; to provide for the allocation of such costs; to provide for the use of proceeds of such costs; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 13:86 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: §86. Judicial College; education account; sources of funds A. In addition to any other filing fee or cost imposed or authorized by law, the clerk of the supreme court and each city, parish, juvenile, family, district, and appellate court shall impose and collect from each party liable for court costs the additional sum of one dollar and fifty cents for the initial filing in all civil matters. B. In addition to the costs provided for in Subsection A of this Section, a person convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor, or violating an ordinance of any local government, including a traffic felony, traffic misdemeanor, or a local traffic violation, shall be assessed an additional one dollar and fifty cents as a special court cost. These costs shall be imposed by all courts, including mayor's courts and magistrate courts. C. All funds collected pursuant to this Section shall be deposited into a …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Chad Brown (D) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. June 11, 2025: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 299.
2. June 11, 2025: Effective date: See Act.
3. June 10, 2025: Signed by the President of the Senate.
4. June 10, 2025: Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
5. June 9, 2025: Read by title, roll called, yeas 101, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.
6. June 9, 2025: Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
7. June 8, 2025: Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 1 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
8. June 8, 2025: Received from the Senate with amendments.
9. June 8, 2025: Scheduled for concurrence on 06/09/2025.
10. June 4, 2025: Reported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

Votes

• House Vote on HB 644, CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1017) (June 9, 2025): 101 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Vote on HB 644, FINAL PASSAGE (#735) (June 8, 2025): 37 yea, 1 nay, passed
• House Vote on HB 644, FINAL PASSAGE (#670) (May 28, 2025): 93 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB644?

HB644 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): COURTS/COURT COSTS: Provides for the assessment of a fee for filing civil and criminal matters (EN +$694,384 SG RV See Note).

What does HB644 do?

In its own words: An act To amend and reenact R.S. 13:86, relative to court costs; to provide relative to court costs collected for civil filings and criminal convictions; to provide for the allocation of such costs; to provide for the use of proceeds of such costs; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of HB644?

Chaptered as of June 11, 2025. Latest action: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 299. (June 11, 2025).

Who sponsored HB644?

Chad Brown (D).

Where is the official record for HB644?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25RS&b=HB644