DISTRICT ATTORNEYS/ASST: Provides for an increase in the dollar amount in warrants to provide for the salaries of assistant district attorneys (RE +$7,572,420 GF EX See Note)
Summary
HB 660 increases the state-paid annual salaries of Louisiana district attorneys and assistant district attorneys beginning July 1, 2026, if the Legislature provides a specific appropriation to fund the change. Under the bill, district attorneys would move from $55,000 to $65,000 annually, and assistant district attorneys would move from $50,000 to $60,000 annually. The bill amends the statutes governing state salary payments for these offices, which are paid monthly by the state treasurer upon warrant.
The measure is structured as a contingent pay raise: the salary changes do not take effect unless and until a separate act appropriating money for implementation becomes effective. The bill also updates the statutory salary amounts in R.S. 16:10 and 11, which govern compensation for district attorneys and assistant district attorneys statewide, including Orleans Parish. The fiscal note in the bill caption indicates a significant general fund expenditure increase associated with the proposal.
Impact
HB 660 would amend Louisiana Revised Statutes 16:10(A)(2) and 16:11(A)(1) to raise the statutory salaries for district attorneys and assistant district attorneys statewide. It would increase the state’s direct payroll obligation for these offices and require an appropriation before the higher salaries can be implemented, making the bill dependent on future budget action. The bill affects all district attorneys and assistant district attorneys paid by the state, including those in Orleans Parish.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support in the House, where HB 660 passed final passage 89-1. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so there is no recorded debate text to indicate detailed arguments for or against the bill. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed favorably as a compensation adjustment for prosecutors, though the appropriation requirement reflects awareness of the fiscal impact.
Contention
The main point of contention is fiscal: the bill carries a substantial general fund cost and does not take effect without a specific appropriation, indicating concern about budget availability and the state’s ability to fund the raises. Any opposition likely centers on the size of the expenditure and whether prosecutor salaries should be increased at this time, while supporters likely emphasize recruitment, retention, and compensation parity for district attorneys and assistant district attorneys. The near-unanimous House vote suggests limited substantive opposition in that chamber.
Requests the division of administration to review the eligibility of Louisiana district attorneys to obtain reimbursement under the "public safety" presumption of the CARES Act. (EN SEE FISC NOTE FF EX See Note)