LouisianaLouisiana law lets lawmakers investigate judge complaints
Louisiana law lets lawmakers refer a judge’s conduct to the Judiciary Commission or investigate a sworn complaint through a legislative committee.
What it does
The House may use its own constitutional authority and rules to consider impeachment at any time, including during a session after ordinary filing deadlines.
The legislature may refer a matter about a judge’s conduct to the Judiciary Commission if it finds the conduct could amount to serious misconduct or wrongdoing.
A citizen may file a sworn, detailed complaint about alleged misconduct. If both chambers request an investigation and the committee finds enough support, the respondent gets notice and a chance to respond.
Argument forA detailed complaint, review by lawmakers, and a chance for the judge to respond could help lawmakers weigh allegations before recommending impeachment.
Argument againstThe sworn complaint rules and two-year limit could keep some citizens’ concerns about a judge from reaching a legislative investigation.
More detail
The House may proceed with impeachment under its own constitutional authority. This option applies to impeachment proceedings considered by the House. The House may adopt and follow its own impeachment rules during a session, even after deadlines for filing bills or resolutions.
The legislature may refer a matter about a judge to the Judiciary Commission for investigation by passing a concurrent resolution. This applies to matters concerning a judge’s conduct. The legislature must find that the judge’s conduct could amount to gross misconduct or malfeasance.
A joint legislative committee may investigate an impeachment complaint after the required requests and findings. The complaint must allege a violation that could warrant impeachment under the Louisiana Constitution. A citizen must file a sworn complaint based on personal knowledge, with detailed facts and the specific rule or law allegedly violated. Three-fifths of both chambers must request the investigation. Three-fifths of the committee’s appointed members must find facts supporting probable cause before it investigates. The respondent must receive reasonable notice and a chance to be heard. The committee may dismiss the complaint, issue a reprimand, or recommend impeachment; an impeachment recommendation requires a three-fifths vote and goes to the House for final action. A complaint must be filed within two years after the alleged violation. This limit does not apply to a continuing violation.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 12Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 916.Became Law
- Jun 12Effective date 6/12/2026.
- Jun 1Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.
- Vote recorded ADOPT (#1625). Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded ADOPT CONFERENCE REPORT (#1851). Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 1Conference Committee report received.
- Jun 1Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 26 yeas and 9 nays.
- Jun 1Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.
- Jun 1Rules suspended.
- Jun 1Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 73, nays 20. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.
- Jun 1Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.
- Jun 1Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate on 6/2/2026.To Governor
- Jun 1Signed by the Speaker of the House.
- Jun 1Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate on 6/2/2026.Minor
- May 31Amendments proposed by the House read and rejected by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays.
- Vote recorded REJECT (#1590). Result: pass.Upper
- May 31House conferees appointed: Bacala, Beaullieu, and Villio.
- May 31Senate conference committee members appointed: Kleinpeter, Miller, and Morris.
- May 31Notice of Senate rejecting House amendments.
- May 31Notice of Senate conferees appointed.
- May 29Called from the calendar.
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1763). Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 79, nays 22. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- May 29Received from the House with amendments.Minor
- May 27Notice given.
- May 27Scheduled for floor debate on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Called from the calendar.
- May 26Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- May 19Called from the calendar.
- May 19Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- May 19Notice given.
- May 19Scheduled for floor debate on 05/26/2026.
- May 18Called from the calendar.
- May 18Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- May 18Notice given.
- May 18Scheduled for floor debate on 05/19/2026.
- May 13Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- May 13Notice given.
- May 13Scheduled for floor debate on 05/18/2026.
- May 12Scheduled for floor debate on 05/13/2026.
- May 11Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- May 7Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
- May 6Reported with amendments (9-6). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.Minor
- Apr 23Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.Minor
- Apr 22Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.
- Apr 21Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 9 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#407). Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 20Read by title. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.
- Apr 15Reported favorably.Minor
- Apr 1Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs.Minor
- Mar 31Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Introduced
Government & Ethics