COURTS: Constitutional amendment to provide for jurisdiction of the Louisiana Supreme Court. (2/3 - CA13s1(A))
Summary
SB 68 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand and clarify the Louisiana Supreme Court’s exclusive original jurisdiction over attorney disciplinary matters. Under the amendment, the Court would have authority not only over members of the Louisiana bar, but also over certain out-of-state or specially admitted lawyers who practice or offer legal services in Louisiana, lawyers licensed elsewhere who own or operate a law firm in the state, and non-licensed individuals who supervise Louisiana-licensed lawyers. The measure is framed as a change to Article V, Section 5(B) of the Louisiana Constitution and would be submitted to voters for approval.
The bill also sets the amendment for the statewide election on April 17, 2027, and provides the ballot language asking whether voters support giving the Supreme Court authority to discipline out-of-state attorneys in specified circumstances. Because it is a constitutional amendment, it requires a two-thirds legislative vote before going to the electorate, and the enrolled version became Act 38 after legislative approval.
Impact
If approved by voters, SB 68 would amend the Louisiana Constitution to broaden the Supreme Court’s disciplinary reach over attorneys connected to legal practice in Louisiana but not necessarily licensed here. This would affect out-of-state lawyers, specially admitted counsel, multistate law firms, and nonlawyer supervisors of Louisiana attorneys by making them subject to the Court’s original jurisdiction in disciplinary proceedings. The practical effect would be to strengthen state oversight of legal services offered in Louisiana and close potential gaps in attorney regulation across state lines.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have enjoyed strong overall support in both chambers, with unanimous final passage in the Senate and House and only one recorded split vote on a later Senate concurrence motion. The lack of committee transcript material limits insight into debate, but the voting history suggests broad agreement that the amendment addresses a regulatory gap in attorney discipline. Overall sentiment was favorable and largely noncontroversial.
Contention
There is little evidence of major opposition in the available record, but the subject matter itself raises a potential jurisdictional issue: extending Louisiana Supreme Court discipline to lawyers not licensed in the state, as well as to out-of-state firm owners and non-licensed supervisors. Any concern would likely center on the reach of state authority over multijurisdictional legal practice and the regulation of national or regional law firms. The recorded votes, however, indicate that any such concerns did not generate significant legislative resistance.
Constitutional Amendment to increase the composition of the Louisiana Supreme Court. (Items #4, 5, and 13)(2/3 - CA13s1(A)) (EG +$1,145,641 GF EX See Note)
Constitutional amendment to provide for persons in the unclassified service and for appointment of persons on the State Civil Service Commission. (2/3 - CA13s1(A))
Constitutional amendment to authorize the local governing authority of a parish to provide an increase to the homestead exemption. (2/3-CA13s1(A)) (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF RV)