HB 959

HLS 26RS-591  ORIGINAL
 2026 Regular Session
 HOUSE BILL NO. 959
 BY REPRESENTATIVE BERAULT
 APPROPRIATIONS/JUDGMENT: Appropriates funds for payment of the consent
  judgment against the state in the suit captioned Gaetano J. Montana v. Eagle, Inc.,
  et al
1AN ACT
2 Relative to the appropriation of monies out of the state general fund to be used to pay the
3consent judgment captioned "Gaetano J. Montana. versus Eagle, Inc., et al" between
4the state of Louisiana, through the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana State
5University and Agricultural and Mechanical College through Louisiana State
6University Health Sciences Center, University Hospital, and Gaetano J. Montana, Jr.,
7Angele Montana, and Yvette Montana, individually and on behalf of decedent
8Gaetano J. Montana; to provide for an effective date, and to provide for related
9matters.
10 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11Section 1. The sum of Fifty Thousand and No/100 ($50,000.00) Dollars is hereby
12 payable out of the State General Fund (Direct) for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for payment of the
13 consent judgment captioned "Gaetano J. Montana. versus Eagle, Inc., et al", signed on
14 October 1, 2025, between the state of Louisiana through the Board of Supervisors of the
15 Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College through Louisiana State
16 University Health Sciences Center, University Hospital, and Gaetano J. Montana, Jr., Angele
17 Montana, and Yvette Montana, individually and on behalf of decedent, Gaetano J. Montana,
18 bearing Number 2023-06713, Division "D", on the docket of the Civil District Court, parish
19 of Orleans, state of Louisiana.
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 HLS 26RS-591  ORIGINAL
  HB NO. 959
1Section 2. A judgment may only be paid from this appropriation if it is final and shall
2 be paid as to principal, court costs, and expert witness fees as awarded in the judgment.
3 Interest shall be paid as provided by law and awarded in the judgment. If the provisions of
4 the judgment conflict with the provisions of this Act, the provisions of the judgment shall
5 be controlling. Any other provision of this Act not in conflict with the provisions of the
6 judgment shall control. Payment shall be made only after presentation to the state treasurer
7 of documentation required by the state treasurer. Further, the judgment shall be deemed to
8 have been paid on the effective date of this Act, and interest shall cease to run as of that date.
9Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
10 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
11 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
12 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
13 effective on the day following such approval.
  DIGEST
 The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
 of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
 part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
 HB 959 Original  2026 Regular Session  Berault
 Appropriates $50,000 out of the State General Fund (Direct) for FY 2025-2026 for payment
 of the consent judgment against the state in the suit captioned Gaetano J. Montana v. Eagle,
 Inc., et al., bearing No. 2023-06713, Division D, on the docket of the Civil District Court,
 parish of Orleans.
 Proposed law provides relative to payment. Provides relative to conflicts between judgment
 and proposed law. Prohibits accrual of interest on the judgment as of the effective date of
 proposed law.
 Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
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