Volume 43, Number 9 04/20/17

THE MISSION THE CORE VALUES of the LDAA is as follows: of LDAA members include:

We believe that the Constitution To improve Louisiana's justice system and the requires, and Louisiana citizens favor, locally- office of District Attorney by enhancing the elected, independent prosecutors. we believe that effectiveness and professionalism of Louisiana's prosecutor discretion must be protected from district attorneys and their staffs through interference through manipulative funding or education, legislative involvement, liaison and legislative restrictions. Finally, we believe that information sharing. prosecutors are the best and most trustworthy resource for legislative improvements to the criminal justice system.

District Attorneys Support Justice Reinvestment

The LDAA Board voted Wednesday to support a version of all ten (10) Justice Reinvestment bills filed in the 2017 Regular Session. Six (6) of the ten (10) bills need minor amendments, and we are working with the Governor's office and Legislative leaders to craft substantive amendments to four (4) of these bills. Our amendments are designed to focus these reforms on non-violent, non-dangerous offenders. With these amendments, the package will trigger substantial savings and assure our support of the package. Here is a summary of what we can support:

Support With Substantive Amendments: (4 of the 10 bills):

SB 220 - Would implement a felony class system to eliminate inconsistencies in sentencing.

The Felony Class System cannot be responsibly adopted in this short session. The JRTF began drafting this legislation only weeks ago. No other state has attempted to adopt this type of legislation with this little study and consideration. This bill has 72 pages of complex changes to nearly 600 statutes. The draft should be referred to the Law Institute for study and adoption in the 2018 Regular Session. Meanwhile, we would support a substitute bill that amends the penalties and benefit restrictions on a long list of felony statutes to be negotiated. Our initial recommendations include all of the non-violent offenses that are identified as drivers of incarceration except DWI. This can be done this year.

SB 139 - Would provide opportunities for parole consideration to some of Louisiana’s longest-serving inmates; make massive probation/ parole supervision changes; would allow parole without a hearing; would expand medical furloughs. This is a multiple-object bill consisting of 54 pages and more than 52 different changes to the criminal law and procedure. Similar to SB 220, this bill is extremely complex and far reaching. We will support the bill with amendments to limit the provisions of the bill to non-violent offenders only. If accepted, these amendments would still trigger savings and assure our support for the JRTF package.

SB 221 - Would limit habitual offender penalties to certain crimes.

The Habitual Offender statute is a critical tool for DAs to deal with dangerous and career offenders.The substance of the statute must remain intact. We will support the bill with amendments that substantially reduce the sentencing enhancements for 2nd and 3rd felony offenders. With these amendments, the bill will still trigger substantial savings and assure our support of the JRTF package.

SB 16 - Provide opportunities for parole consideration to certain juveniles sentenced to life without parole.

As written, the bill grants parole consideration to murderers adjudicated to be among "the worst of the worst" after a special hearing on that issue. It also grants parole consideration to future juvenile 2nd degree murderers after serving 30 years. We will offer amendments to correct these flaws. Our support for this bill is contingent on the amendments adopted by the Senate.

Support With Minor Amendments:

HB 116 - Would improve and streamline the victim notification process.

We support the bill with technical amendments.

HB 426- Would direct judges to consider incarcerated status when fixing child support.

We support the bill.

HB 177 - Would eliminate restrictions from receiving food stamp benefits for drug offenders in 1st year of release.

We support the bill.

HB 519 - Would expand opportunities for those reentering the community to earn full occupational licenses.

We suport the bill.

HB 489 - Would collect data to monitor the outcomes of reforms / reinvest over $154 million dollars into research-based programs that reduce recidivism and support victims.

We support the bill, however, support a larger percentage of savings to be reinvested.

HB 249 - Would tailor criminal justice financial obligations to a person’s ability to pay, and modify penalties for failure to pay.

We support the concept. This legislation may not be necessary. We will offer amendments to assure that the presumption of financial hardship does not become a loophole for many who can afford to pay.

Summary - The District Attorneys are primarily concerned with public safety. According to DOC statistics, 42% of released inmates commit new crimes within five (5) years. Without our amendments, some of these bills will cause a drastic reduction of sentences and early release of violent and dangerous offenders which will certainly generate thousands of new victims of violent crime. With our amendments, we can support all of these bills.

We are tracking more than 188 bills of significant importance to District Attorneys and several dozen other pre-filed bills of interest. Two significant issues for District Attorneys are:

Regulate and share funds from Pre-Trial Diversion Programs:

HB 0336 Denise Marcelle / Creates a Diversion Oversight Committee to examine district attorney-operated diversion programs statewide (4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.)

Abolish the Death Penalty:

HB 101 Terry Landry / Eliminates the death penalty for offenses committed on or after August 1, 2017. (4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.)

SB 0142 Dan Claitor / Eliminates the death penalty (8/1/17). (4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.)

Committee Hearings - will begin next week. Please sign up to volunteer for legislative duty on the following dates:

Tuesday-Thursday (April 25-27) Tuesday-Thursday (May 2-4) Tuesday-Thursday (May 9-11) Tuesday-Thursday (May 16-18) Tuesday-Thursday (May 23-25) Tuesday-Thursday (May 30-June 1) Tuesday-Thursday (June 6-8)

To prepare for legislative duty, keep abreast of the Legislative Reports and the Legislative Chat Page. On the morning of your duty day, meet at the LDAA Headquarters at 8:00 a.m. for briefing.

The major bills of interest are:

A. CRIMES / DEFINITIONS

The following bills create new crimes or amend current criminal definitions.

HB 0053 Amends provisions of law regarding the claim of self defense in the use of force or violence and justifiable homicide 3/17/2017 - House - First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 3/17/2017. Current Status: Withdrawn from the files of the House - prior to introduction

HB 0067 Barbara Norton Creates the crime of unlawfully supplying a child with an Uzi submachine gun (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF RV) 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0068 Exempts certain Louisiana residents from the crime of illegal carrying of weapons when the firearm is legally obtained, manufactured, and possessed 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0105 Provides relative to the crime of improper supervision of a minor with respect to off- road vehicles and golf carts (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF RV) 4/19/2017 - House - Reported favorably (8-6-1). Current Status: Pending House floor action

HB 0223 Helena Moreno Expands the application of domestic abuse battery, domestic abuse aggravated assault, and other provisions of law regarding domestic abuse to dating partners 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0304 Expands definition of "racketeering activity" to include armed robbery and armed robbery or attempted armed robbery committed with a firearm (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX) 4/19/2017 - House - Reported favorably (14-0-1). Current Status: Pending House floor action

HB 0409 Katrina Jackson Provides relative to the applicability of the hate crimes provision 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0424 Rodney Lyons Amends provisions of law regarding the claim of self defense in the use of force or violence and justifiable homicide 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

SB 0054 Beth Mizell Provides for the unlawful exploitation of children. (8/1/17) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary A

SB 0055 Fred Mills Provides relative to prescribers of controlled dangerous substances. (See Act) (OR +$78,781 SG EX See Note) 4/19/2017 - Senate - Reported with amendments. Current Status: Pending Senate final passage - Considered 4/20/17

B. PENALTIES / SENTENCING

The bills listed below change criminal penalties or sentencing options for certain crimes.

HB 0045 Sherman Mack Provides relative to sentencing and parole of certain juvenile offenders sentenced to life imprisonment and terms of imprisonment of more than thirty years 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: LDAA Package Bill

HB 0048 James Armes Provides relative to certain offenses against law enforcement officers 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0050 Provides relative to the electronic monitoring of inmates participating in a work release program administered by sheriffs 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0074 Denise Marcelle Provides relative to disposition of children after adjudication of certain felony-grade delinquent acts 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: Repeals "Vitter Kids"

HB 0101 Terry Landry Eliminates the death penalty for offenses committed on or after August 1, 2017 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0218 Terry Landry Provides relative to habitual offender sentencing 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: JRTF Recommendation

HB 0316 Tanner Magee Provides relative to community supervision 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: JRTF Recommendation - Complex bill. Mandates alternatives to incarceration and "good time" probation and parole.

HB 0455 Provides relative to sex offender registration and notification 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0494 Joseph Marino Provides for the classification of criminal offenses and criminal penalties based on the class of the offense 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: JRTF Recommendation - Massive bill. Tons of unintended consequences.

HB 0558 Provide for judge's discretion to require ignition interlock device for DWI offenders 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. Current Status: Pending House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works

SB 0016 Dan Claitor Provides relative to certain juveniles sentenced to life without parole. (gov sig) 4/19/2017 - Senate - Read by title. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage. Current Status: Pending Senate final passage - Considered 4/20/17 Comments: Modified JRTF Recommendation - This is the conference committee version that died last year. JLWOP for 1st Degree murders, prospective only.

SB 0041 Ronnie Johns Provides for the forfeiture of currency related to the commission of certain sex offenses. (gov sig) 4/19/2017 - House - Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules. Current Status: Pending House referral

SB 0070 Jack Donahue Makes misbranding or adulteration of drugs under certain circumstances a felony. (8/1/17) 4/19/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

SB 0142 Dan Claitor Eliminates the death penalty. (8/1/17) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary C

SB 0146 Dan Claitor Provides relative to the Habitual Offender Law. (8/1/17) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary C Comments: JRTF Recommendation

SB 0196 Patrick Cortez Provides relative to unlawful presence or contact of a sex offender. (1/1/18) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary C

SB 0197 Wesley Bishop Provides for harsher penalties for persons who knowingly allow the sale of illegal drugs and prostitution on their property. (gov sig) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary C - Considered 4/18/17

SB 0220 John Alario Provides relative to adopting a felony class system. (8/1/17) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary C Comments: JRTF Recommendation - Massive bill. Lots of unintended consequences.

SB 0221 John Alario Provides relative to the window of time for which certain prior crimes will count towards current habitual offender penalty enhancements. (see Act) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary C Comments: JRTF Recommendation C. PROCEDURE

These are the bills that affect criminal law and related procedures.

HB 0061 Franklin Foil Provides for the issuance of summons for misdemeanors or for certain felony charges 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0081 Provides for presumptive pretrial release of a defendant on an unsecured personal surety or bail without surety except under certain circumstances 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0083 Joseph Marino Authorizes an incarcerated defendant to appear at certain proceedings by way of simultaneous audio-visual transmission (OR DECREASE GF EX See Note) 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0094 Jimmy Harris Authorizes all district courts to establish reentry courts (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF EX) 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Current Status: Pending House Judiciary - Sched. for 4/20/17

HB 0110 Robert Billiot Provides relative to the procedure for designating certain crimes in the court minutes as crimes of violence 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: This clarifies the intent of the original statute.

HB 0116 Stephen Dwight Provides relative to the registration and rights of crime victims 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: JRTF Recommendation. Amendments needed.

HB 0205 Joseph Bouie Provides relative to the length of time certain applicants are required to wait before applying for a pardon or commutation of sentence 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0213 Jimmy Harris Provides relative to the Louisiana Uniform Law Enforcement Statewide Reporting Database 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Current Status: Pending House Judiciary

HB 0219 Christopher Leopold Provides relative to the discharge of bail obligations and bond forfeiture judgments 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0244 Stephanie Hilferty Allows certain business records to be self-authenticated 4/19/2017 - House - Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading. Current Status: Pending House final passage

HB 0279 Edmond Jordan Prohibits interference with the recording of public officials and employees acting in an official capacity, with certain exceptions 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs. Current Status: Pending House and Governmental Affairs

HB 0332 Terry Brown Provides relative to service of a notice of warrant for arrest when a defendant fails to appear in court 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0336 Denise Marcelle Creates a Diversion Oversight Committee to examine district attorney-operated diversion programs statewide 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Current Status: Pending House Judiciary

HB 0395 Amends the procedures for involuntary mental health treatment 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare. Current Status: Pending House Health and Welfare - Sched. for 4/19/17

HB 0481 Katrina Jackson Provides relative to law enforcement officers 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Current Status: Pending House Judiciary

HB 0485 Patrick Jefferson Provides relative to the functions of jury commissions in certain parishes 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Current Status: Pending House Judiciary - Sched. for 4/20/17

HB 0486 Robert Johnson Provides relative to the state central registry for child abuse and neglect 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare. Current Status: Pending House Health and Welfare

HB 0499 John Schroder Provides relative to the crime of stalking 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0506 Patrick Jefferson Provides relative to juvenile records and proceedings 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0509 John Schroder Provides relative to temporary restraining orders 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0514 James Armes Provides relative to the confidentiality and expungement of juvenile records 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0523 John Schroder Provides relative to constructive surrender and extradition costs with regard to bail 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

HB 0524 John Schroder Provides relative to the stay of discovery in certain proceedings 4/18/2017 - House - Scheduled for floor debate on 04/24/17. Current Status: Pending House final passage - Sched. for 4/24/17

HB 0525 Provides for liability for violation of certain federal detainer orders under certain circumstances 4/19/2017 - House - Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading. Current Status: Pending House final passage

HB 0612 Cedric Glover Provides for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

SB 0035 Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb Provides exemptions from arrest and prosecution to persons lawfully in possession of medical marijuana. (gov sig) (OR NO IMPACT See Note) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary C

SB 0042 Ronnie Johns Creates the Louisiana Human Trafficking Prevention Commission and Advisory Board. (8/1/17) 4/19/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

SB 0074 John Milkovich Provides and clarifies the rights of law enforcement officers while under investigation. (gov sig) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary B

SB 0076 Eddie Lambert Provides for venue in certain criminal cases. (gov sig) 4/19/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice

SB 0080 Wesley Bishop Authorizes civilian traffic control officer or entity to investigate certain traffic accidents in certain parishes. (8/1/17) (OR NO IMPACT LF EX See Note) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. Current Status: Pending Senate Transportation, Highways, and Public Works - Sched. for 4/20/17

SB 0156 Eddie Lambert Provides relative to juvenile detention facilities. (gov sig) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary B

SB 0234 Eric LaFleur Provides relative to conditions of providing a property bond for purposes of bail. (gov sig) 4/19/2017 - Senate - Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage. Current Status: Pending House introduction

D. PARDON / PAROLE

The following bills affect pardon and parole procedures or eligibility.

HB 0615 Terry Landry Provides relative to the release date of an inmate required to complete certain programs prior to release on parole (OR DECREASE GF EX See Note) 4/19/2017 - House - Reported with amendments (12-0-1). Current Status: Pending House floor action Comments: JRTF Recommendation

SB 0139 Daniel Martiny Provides relative to criminal justice. (7/1/17) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary C Comments: JRTF Recommendation - Another massive bill. Creates parole without a hearing. "Good time" probation and parole. Much more.

SB 0169 Regina Barrow Establishes the medical furlough program. (8/1/17) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary B Comments: JRTF Recommendation

F. TRAFFIC SAFETY

The bills below pertain to traffic safety and impaired driving matters.

HB 0558 Valarie Hodges Provide for judge's discretion to require ignition interlock device for DWI offenders 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. Current Status: Pending House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works

G. CIVIL The following bills are related to civil issues of interest to prosecutors.

HB 0229 Patricia Smith Provides relative to registration and voting by a person convicted of a felony 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs. Current Status: Pending House and Governmental Affairs

HB 0235 Denise Marcelle (Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to persons eligible to vote 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs. Current Status: Pending House and Governmental Affairs

HB 0293 Beryl Amedee Provides relative to the limitation of liability of the state 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Current Status: Pending House Appropriations Comments: LDAA Pacakge Bill.

HB 0457 (Constitutional Amendment) Phases out the state revenue sharing fund 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Current Status: Pending House Appropriations

HB 0575 Nancy Landry Provides with respect to the hiring of special counsel by school boards 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education. Current Status: Pending House Education

SB 0072 John Milkovich Provides right of oral argument in contradictory proceedings. (gov sig) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary A

SB 0092 Gregory Tarver Provides relative to civil actions and remedies in matters involving domestic abuse. (8/1/17) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A. Current Status: Pending Senate Judiciary A

SB 0218 Conrad Appel Prohibits a governing authority from entering certain agreements without specific approval by ordinance of all affected governing authorities. (gov sig) 4/10/2017 - Senate - Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs. Current Status: Pending Senate Local and Municipal Affairs

H. MONEY

The bills below affect funding and fiscal matters of interest to prosecutors.

HB 0249 Tanner Magee Provides relative to the payment of fines, fees, costs, restitution, and other monetary obligations related to an offender's conviction 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: JRTF Recommendation - Creates a presumption of indigency and exemption from costs, fines, and fees.

HB 0257 (Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the use of traffic cameras 4/13/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. Current Status: Pending House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works

HB 0413 Walt Leger Provides relative to the funding of public defenders 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Current Status: Pending House Appropriations Comments: Pay Warrants for local PDs.

HB 0489 Walt Leger Reinvests money from savings realized as a result of reforms to the criminal justice system and requires the collection of data in this regard 4/10/2017 - House - Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Current Status: Pending House Administration of Criminal Justice Comments: JRTF Recommendation - We will pay later - promise we will!

The importance of our legislative credibility cannot be overstated. Your ability to effectively perform your duties is directly contingent upon obtaining and maintaining the legal and fiscal resources to do so. Most of those resources flow through the Legislature. Please help us to improve our legislative policy process and thereby improve our legislative credibility. The bottom line:

If we are to expect deference in matters that affect the criminal justice system and our office, we must also request and earn such deference.