LA SB479

Creates a "legislative address" process allowing the Louisiana Legislature to remove elected or temporarily appointed judges (district, juvenile, family, parish, municipal, court of appeal) and Louisiana Supreme Court justices for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence committed while in office

Requires a majority vote of elected House members and two-thirds vote of elected Senate members to pass a legislative address, which must then be transmitted to the governor for mandatory certification of removal

Mandates procedural protections including written notice of detailed allegations served on the official and an opportunity for a trial in the Senate with the right to counsel

Defines key terms: "malfeasance" as intentional unlawful acts including persistent refusal to follow state or federal law; "gross misconduct" as grossly improper judicial performance or persistent violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct; "incompetence" as lack of ability leading to neglect of duty or miscarriage of justice

Takes effect only if the proposed constitutional amendment in Senate Bill No. 123 of the 2026 Regular Session is adopted by statewide election