SB 125 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Increases the compensation cap for the wrongful conviction compensation law. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 125 increases compensation for people wrongfully convicted in Louisiana. It raises the annual payment rate from $25,000 to $40,000 per year incarcerated, with a new maximum total of $600,000 starting August 1, 2026 (up from $400,000 previously). It also allows those convicted before July 2022 to apply for supplemental payments (up to $40,000 annually) by August 1, 2027, and offers a $250,000 lump sum option for new claims filed after July 2022. The bill directly affects Louisiana residents who were wrongfully imprisoned and seek financial redress under state law.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Vetoed

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 24, 2026 Vetoed Jun 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB125 Enrolled → SB125 Original · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the wrongful conviction compensation law to align the effective dates for supplemental compensation petitions with the new higher payment caps. It changes the deadline for filing supplemental petitions from July 1, 2023, to August 1, 2027, and adjusts the start date for the new compensation rates from July 1, 2022, to August 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope regarding payment rates remains unchanged, but the timeline for eligibility and the deadline to file for additional compensation is extended.

TIMELINE

The deadline to file for supplemental compensation was extended from July 1, 2023, to August 1, 2027, allowing petitioners more time to apply for additional funds.

The start date for the new compensation rate schedule was moved from July 1, 2022, to August 1, 2026, ensuring the new rates apply only after the extended transition period.

ELIGIBILITY

The eligibility window for filing a supplemental petition was extended to include anyone who has been awarded compensation prior to August 1, 2026, rather than the previous July 1, 2022 cutoff.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2026 · House May 19, 2026

How they voted

37–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 40

Apr 15, 2026

D Democratic12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

R Republican28

26 Yea 2

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 2, 2026

Vetoed

Vetoed by the Governor.

upper

May 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 32 yeas and 0 nays.

upper

May 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 12, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (13-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

May 5, 2026

Committee

Read by title, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (10-0). To be recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Committee

Read by title. Ordered engrossed and recommitted to the Committee on Finance.

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

upper

1 primary · 77 co-sponsors