Rule 1.5 - Associations/Organizations Dues and Assessments No judge shall seek or authorize from any public funds the reimbursement, or the payment on his/her behalf, of the dues or assessments of any association/organization which engages in any activity prohibited by the Code of Judicial Conduct or the laws of the State of Louisiana or if its membership is not constituted primarily of lawyers or judges.
(a) Nationwide and Statewide Associations/Organizations Dues and Assessments. At his/her request, a judge shall receive from public funds reimbursement for, or payment of, reasonable and actual dues and assessments to those nationwide and statewide associations/organizations primarily devoted to, and which undertake activities for, the improvement of the law, the legal system or the administration of justice, provided that the judge, at the time of the membership enrollment, intends or reasonably expects to participate in the activities of the association/organization for which dues and assessments are reimbursed or paid, and sufficient funds exist for such payment.(b) Regional and Local Associations/Organizations. At his/her request, a judge shall receive from public funds reimbursement for, or payment of, reasonable and actual dues and assessments to those regional and local associations/organizations primarily devoted to, and which undertake activities for, the improvement of the law, the legal system or the administration of justice, provided that (1) such association/organization conducts regular meetings to consider the problems common to the law, the legal system or the administration of justice particular to its jurisdiction or provides at least six hours of continuing legal education per year, (2) at the time of the membership enrollment, the judge intends or reasonably expects to participate in the activities of the association/organization for which dues and assessments are reimbursed or paid, and (3) sufficient funds exist for such payment.(c) Statewide, Regional and Local Judicial Associations/Organizations. Statewide, Regional and Local Judicial Associations/Organizations may not use public funds received in the form of dues or assessments from judges to sponsor, produce, or undertake in any fashion any activity prohibited by the Code of Judicial Conduct or the laws of the State of Louisiana.(d) Pre-Approved Associations/Organizations. A list of the only associations/organizations pre-approved for payment of dues or assessments shall be maintained in the Office of the Judicial Administrator of the Supreme Court of Louisiana. Associations/organizations may be added to this list by written application to and approval of the Supreme Court. Effective June 1, 2000.