The December 7 election has four amendments that Louisiana Voters will vote on, addressing judicial ethics, legislative budgeting, and property tax processes. Amendment 1 proposes adding five appointees to the Judiciary Commission, expanding its current nine-member structure, and give the Supreme Court authority to initiate investigations and discipline judges for misconduct. Public Affairs Research Council President Dr. Steven Procopio explains that the Judiciary Commission investigates judges.
“They make recommendations to the Supreme Court, in terms of what discipline should be taken. And then the Supreme Court takes the action. The Supreme Court cannot, by itself, straight up discipline a judge. They have to hear from the Judiciary Commission,” Procopio said.
Amendment 2 mandates a 48-hour review period for lawmakers before voting on budget amendments. This responds to rushed budget approvals in 2023. Procopio says Amendment 3 complements Amendment 2 by allowing a two-thirds legislative vote to extend sessions by up to six days to finalize budgets. Procopio says it’s rare when time is not an issue.
“Sometimes that is planned, and sometimes it is because of chaos. So, not this year, but the previous year there was real chaos at the end of the session,” Procopio said.
Amendment 4 proposes replacing Louisiana’s tax sale process for delinquent property taxes with a tax lien auction, Procopio says it addresses potential due process violations highlighted in recent court rulings.
“It was in Minnesota, so it doesn’t necessarily apply to us yet, but they are worried that, under our current process, the local governments might make money off of this. So, for example, if a house sale goes for more than what the debt is worth, then who gets that additional money? This system would fix that because you’re only getting the debt amount,” Procopio explained.
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