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Committee backs higher ADA pay and extra warrants after testimony on recruitment crisis
Summary
The committee advanced two linked measures: HB 660 would raise the state contribution toward assistant district attorney pay and HB 719 would add 51 ADA warrants targeted to three high‑need districts. Louisiana District Attorneys Association director Zac Daniels and Baton Rouge DA Hiller Moore testified about recruitment shortfalls; amendments made both measures subject to appropriation and both were reported favorable as amended.
Representative Egan told the committee HB 660 would raise the state contribution to assistant district attorney pay (the current warrant amount is $50,000) and that the change aims to improve recruitment and retention. Zac Daniels, executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, said the study group recommended an increase and a formula that identified a need for about 173 new prosecutors statewide; lawmakers narrowed that to a phased approach and targeted 51 new warrants for three high‑need jurisdictions under HB 719.
Baton Rouge District Attorney Hiller Moore described heavy caseloads and turnover, telling the committee he recently lost 36 assistant DAs in 18 months and needs a base pay closer to $60,000 to recruit new lawyers. He said the state contribution is often the only funding some districts receive to pay ADAs and called the proposal "extremely important and personal" for jurisdictions with high caseloads.
Committee members pressed on fiscal impacts and equity with public defenders; Bruce Riley and others urged pairing DA increases with sustained public defender funding. Sponsors added effectiveness language making the bills subject to appropriation, and members discussed REC revenue prospects. Both HB 660 and HB 719 were reported favorable as amended.
What to watch: The measures increase recurring personnel costs and will require appropriation to take effect; debates in the committee highlighted concerns about balancing prosecutor funding with public defender support.
