Louisiana Constitution

A Baton Rouge judge temporarily blocked a state law that would eliminate three judgeships in New Orleans. The preliminary injunction pauses Act 748, which reduces Orleans Parish criminal court judges from 12 to 9. Judges John Fuller, Simone Levine, and Rhonda Goode-Douglas are affected, with a lawsuit arguing the law violated constitutional requirements for amending elected offices.

A New Orleans criminal court judge is suing Louisiana and Gov. Jeff Landry over a law reducing Orleans Parish Criminal District Court judgeships from 12 to 9, arguing the law (Act 748) failed to meet constitutional vote requirements. The lawsuit claims the law did not secure two-thirds of the elected members in each legislative chamber, rendering it invalid, and seeks to block enforcement and keep three judgeships on the November ballot.

New Orleans is advancing plans to use federal funding for replacing lead pipes, with a Louisiana constitutional amendment on the November ballot aimed at removing legal barriers. The Sewerage & Water Board has secured $152 million in federal funds, but a constitutional provision prohibits public money from being spent on private property, necessitating the proposed amendment for clarity.

Louisiana lawmakers passed House Bill 310, allowing prosecutors to reassign cases to a new randomly selected judge when defendants waive their jury trial right. The law, signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, aims to prevent 'judge shopping' but faces criticism for potentially eroding constitutional protections.

Louisiana voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to change gubernatorial term limits from two consecutive terms to a total of two terms. The proposed amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mike Bayham, will be on the November 3 ballot and aims to restrict governors from serving more than two terms regardless of consecutiveness. The current law allows governors to run again after a break from office.