StateLouisiana

HB 978: INDIGENT DEFENSE: Changes the municipality threshold relative to the mandatory assessment and remittance of special costs to the district indigent defender fund

Jeremy LaCombeTo Governor

HB 978 status: To Governor — Becomes Act No. 930 without the Governor's signature (updated Jun 23, 2026).

1

What this bill does

Overall score

Score55/100 civic fit
RiskHigh risk
ImpactModerate impact 40/100

Bill summary

Official

INDIGENT DEFENSE: Changes the municipality threshold relative to the mandatory assessment and remittance of special costs to the district indigent defender fund. Currently in House.

Key analysis

Constitutionality90%
Bipartisan75%
Public opinion50%
2

Impact analysis

Environment

Mixed / Neutral
50%

Benefits

  • No identified environmental impact

Risks

  • No identified environmental impact

Economy

Mixed / Neutral
50%

Benefits

  • Stabilizes funding streams for public defense

Risks

  • May impose additional fiscal burdens on municipal court budgets

Society

Positive Outlook
60%

Benefits

  • Supports constitutional right to counsel through improved funding mechanisms

Risks

  • Potential for reduced local revenue if thresholds are adjusted downward
3

How trustworthy & consequential it is

Source

OpenStates

Confidence

low

low

Analysis status

OpenStates summary

Warning

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Limitation

Full bill text not reviewed

4

Where it stands

Introduced

Complete

Committee

Complete

Floor

Complete
4

Governor

Current

Becomes Act No. 930 without the Governor's signature.

5

Enacted

Upcoming
5

How it affects your district

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6

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