Disagreements Emerge Over La. Court Redistricting

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — When lawmakers gather next month to redraw Louisiana's political district lines, maps for the Louisiana Supreme Court and state appeals courts may be left on the cutting room floor.

Lawmakers are required to redraw the boundary lines of congressional, legislative, Public Service Commission and education board districts when new census figures are released. There's no such requirement about the courts, even though they were included in the special session agenda.

House and Senate leaders are split on the matter.

Senate President Joel Chaisson says if the Supreme Court doesn't submit a recommended plan, lawmakers won't have time to haggle over the issue in the session that starts March 20.

House Speaker Jim Tucker says he wants the court lines revamped during the session, noting a federal judge wants lawmakers to rework the appeals court districts.