LA SB217

Reduces Orleans Parish Civil District Court judges from 14 to 12 effective January 1, 2027, abolishing Divisions "C" and "L" on December 31, 2026

Requires the Judicial Council to study Criminal District Court judgeship needs by March 1, 2028 and every two years thereafter, with special elections suspended if the Supreme Court recommends abolishing a judgeship

Creates a Consolidated Judicial Expense Fund for Orleans Parish governed by a nine-member executive committee (three civil district judges, three criminal district judges, one city court judge, and two retired judges appointed by the Supreme Court)

Reduces Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans from seven to six judgeships effective January 1, 2027, and requires one additional Juvenile Court judgeship to be abolished upon the first vacancy after that date

Increases civil jurisdiction limits for First and Second City Courts from $20,000-$25,000 to $50,000