Provides relative to judicial salaries

HB 324 Original 2026 Regular Session Villio

Abstract: Provides relative to judicial salaries.

Proposed law provides for the termination of the supplement paid pursuant to and authorized by Section 5 of Act 390 of the 2025 Regular Section on June 30, 2026. However, effective July 1, 2026, proposed law requires the supplement to continue as a cost of living adjustment to salary.

Proposed law requires effective July 1, 2026, after adjustment pursuant to proposed law and subject to the provisions of proposed law, for the actual salary of the judges of the La. Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and district courts and the state-paid actual salary of the judges of the city courts and parish courts to reflect the recommended cost of living adjustment and be increased by the amount recommended by the Judicial Compensation Commission reflecting a total increase of less than 2% for each year since the last increase as follows:

(1) $12,129 for the justices of the La. Supreme Court. (2) $11,431 for the judges of the courts of appeal. (3) $10,723 for the judges of the district courts. (4) An amount for judges of the city and parish courts that would increase their state-paid salary by the same percentage as district court judges.

Proposed law requires that, effective July 1, 2027, subject to the provisions of proposed law, the actual salary of the judges of the La. Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and district courts and the state-paid actual salary of the judges of the city courts and parish courts be increased by 2.7%.

Proposed law requires that, effective on July 1, 2028, subject to the provisions of proposed law, the actual salary of the judges of the La. Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and district courts and the state-paid actual salary of the judges of the city courts and parish courts be increased by 2.1%.

Proposed law provides that the cost of living adjustments authorized by proposed law are contingent upon approval prior to each July 1st by the La. Supreme Court and the La. Judicial Budgetary Control Board, after each has made a determination that the judiciary has sufficient funding for such adjustments prior to approving the increases. Further requires that the amount due for any particular year be suspended if there is insufficient funding.

Proposed law requires that the cost of living adjustment authorized pursuant to proposed law for Fiscal Year 2026-27 be funded by the judiciary itself upon certification by the La. Supreme Court and the La. Judicial Budgetary Control Board that the judiciary has sufficient reserves to satisfy the obligation.

(Adds R.S. 13:51)