The 2026 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session is officially in the history books, after coming to an end on Monday, June 1. After nearly three months, lawmakers ended with a flurry of activity, passing HB 1, which is headed to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk for his signature. It’s a $47 billion budget that keeps most spending at “flat levels.” But they did approve pay raises for state employees, judges, firefighters and the La. Department of Corrections (DOC).
As Louisiana Public Radio’s Capitol Access Reporter Brooke Thorington reports, lawmakers also approved a bill, which is also now headed to the governor’s desk, to give themselves the power to remove judges for malfeasance. While presenting the bill in the House, Representative Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, cited examples of how judges have released individuals awaiting trial to only have them commit more heinous crimes.
As Bacala explained, “It’s time to, to say, ‘Hell no, we're not taking it anymore,’ and we're not, we're not gonna be willy-nilly about this. We're gonna have a real process, real definitions. We're gonna tell you what's expected of you, we're gonna hold you accountable, and we're gonna do it the right way.”
Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson also spoke in favor of the bill. “This may be one of the most important bills we vote on in this session.” The bill defines what’s considered malfeasance in office, the legislative investigative process and it would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers to remove a judge.
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Legislative Session Ends, Bills Awaiting Governor’s Signature
