Committee approves shorter opposition window for summary-judgment proceedings after debate

The Senate Judiciary A Committee voted May 5 to report HB 1006 as amended, a procedural change that shortens the period for filing oppositions to motions for summary judgment.

Representative Wilfried Carter, the bill’s sponsor, said the amendment restores the bill’s original timing and aims to give opposing parties additional time to prepare responses without unduly burdening courts. "All it does is give the opposition a little more time to prepare to file this opposition," Carter said during discussion.

Judges and practitioners questioned whether shortening the movant’s reply window would leave judges less time to consider filings. Judge Guy Holdridge of the Louisiana State Law Institute noted practical trade‑offs: ‘‘If the person files an opposition with multiple depositions attached, the mover will have less time to prepare a reply,’’ he said, but added that the code provides continuance authority for good cause.

After hearing multiple senators’ concerns and assurances that judges retain discretion to continue hearings when needed, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 1006 with amendments. The motion to report carried on a roll-call vote: several senators voted yes, several no, and one senator recorded an abstention; the committee announced the motion passed.

Next steps: HB 1006 will move forward with the adopted timing amendment; sponsors and committee staff said they will monitor implementation and that existing continuance provisions can address unforeseen timing problems.

Provenance: Committee deliberations and roll-call recorded May 5, 2026, during Senate Judiciary A Committee proceedings.