Louisiana HB310: CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides for the reassignment of a defendant's case when the right to a jury trial has been waived

What the bill says

An act To amend and reenact Code of Criminal Procedure Article 780(B), relative to trial by jury; to provide for the reassignment of cases; to provide for the filing of motions; to provide for duties of the court; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To amend and reenact Code of Criminal Procedure Article 780(B), relative to trial by jury; to provide for the reassignment of cases; to provide for the filing of motions; to provide for duties of the court; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. Code of Criminal Procedure Article 780(B) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: Art. 780. Right to waive trial by jury * * * B.(1) The defendant shall exercise his right to waive trial by jury in accordance with Article I, Section 17 of the Constitution of Louisiana. The waiver shall be by written motion filed in the district court not later than forty-five days prior to the date the case is set for trial. The motion shall be signed by the defendant and shall also be signed by defendant's counsel unless the defendant has waived his right to counsel. (2) If a defendant files a motion pursuant to this Paragraph in a district court with three or more judges who are assigned criminal matters within respective divisions or sections, the case shall be randomly reassigned among the remaining judges who are assigned criminal matters within all divisions or sections immediately following the filing of the motion. Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Carlson, Josh (R, 43) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 29, 2026: Effective date: 08/01/2026.
2. May 29, 2026: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 541.
3. May 28, 2026: Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
4. May 27, 2026: Signed by the President of the Senate.
5. May 27, 2026: Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
6. May 26, 2026: Received from the Senate without amendments.
7. May 26, 2026: Read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 11 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
8. May 26, 2026: Rules suspended. Called from the Calendar.
9. May 21, 2026: Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.
10. May 21, 2026: Rules suspended.

Votes

• Senate Vote on HB 310, FINAL PASSAGE (#1366) (May 26, 2026): 27 yea, 11 nay, passed
• House Vote on HB 310, SUSPEND THE RULES (#637) (April 21, 2026): 47 yea, 38 nay, passed
• House Vote on HB 310, FINAL PASSAGE (#640) (April 21, 2026): 57 yea, 36 nay, passed
• House Vote on HB 310, MODIFY TIME LIMITS (#395) (April 9, 2026): 38 yea, 46 nay, failed
• House Vote on HB 310, FINAL PASSAGE (#396) (April 9, 2026): 50 yea, 49 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB310?

HB310 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides for the reassignment of a defendant's case when the right to a jury trial has been waived.

What does HB310 do?

In its own words: An act To amend and reenact Code of Criminal Procedure Article 780(B), relative to trial by jury; to provide for the reassignment of cases; to provide for the filing of motions; to provide for duties of the court; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of HB310?

Signed into law as of May 29, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 08/01/2026. (May 29, 2026).

Who sponsored HB310?

Carlson, Josh (R, 43).

Where is the official record for HB310?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB310