Opinion ID: 26477
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Discretionary Function Immunity and the Berkovitz Test

Text: 13 Article XII, Section 10 of Louisiana's Constitution provides: 14 (A) No Immunity in Contract and Tort. Neither the state, a state agency, nor a political subdivision shall be immune from suit and liability in contract or for injury to person or property. 15 . . . 16 (C) Limitations.... Notwithstanding Paragraph (A) ..., the legislature by law may limit or provide for the extent of liability of the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision in all cases, including the circumstances giving rise to liability and the kinds and amounts of recoverable damages. [Emphasis ours.] 17 The legislature did provide for a limitation of liability in R.S. 9:2798.1, which states: 18 § 2798.1. Policymaking or discretionary acts or omissions of public entities or their officers or employees 19 A. As used in this Section, public entity means and includes the state and any of its branches, departments, offices, agencies, boards, commissions, instrumentalities, officers, officials, employees, and political subdivisions and the departments, offices, agencies, boards, commissions, instrumentalities, officers, officials, and employees of such political subdivisions. 20 B. Liability shall not be imposed on public entities or their officers or employees based upon the exercise or performance or the failure to exercise or perform their policymaking or discretionary acts when such acts are within the course and scope of their lawful powers and duties. 21