Three Laws That Should Be on Every Process Server's Radar Right Now
Three new legislative developments. Louisiana HB 683 eliminates notarized returns and the sheriff-first waiting period. Michigan's Drew's Girl Productions v. Hill — a text message is not proof of service. California AB 1742 targets building gatekeepers.
By Michael Reid, Lead Editor at Process Server Daily / CEO of 123 Legal Inc.
March 17, 2026
Legislation affecting process servers rarely arrives in a single dramatic moment. It accumulates in committee referrals, judicial opinions, and quiet bill introductions that most servers never see until it is too late. This week, three significant developments moved through the system — all new — that every working process server should be tracking.
Louisiana HB 683: A Pro-Industry Reform Worth Watching
On March 9, 2026, Louisiana House Bill 683 — sponsored by Representative Jay Galle — was formally referred to the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure. This is a process server's bill. Two headline changes:
Notarized returns eliminated. HB 683 removes the notarization requirement entirely — a standard, unnotarized return is sufficient. That eliminates cost, friction, and logistical delay from every single service in the state.
Sheriff-first waiting period killed. The bill removes the five-day mandatory waiting period requiring parties to first attempt service through the sheriff before allowing direct private service on subpoenas.
Current status: referred to committee on March 9. No vote scheduled. Louisiana-based servers should be communicating support to their representatives now.
Michigan: Drew's Girl Productions v. Hill — Your Text Message Is Not Proof of Service
U.S. District Judge F. Kay Behm ruled that an unsigned text message reply does not satisfy the signed acknowledgment requirement under Michigan Court Rule 2.105(A)(2). Michigan Lawyers Weekly covered the decision March 12. A phone number is not a signature. A text saying "yeah I got it" does not close the loop.
California AB 1742: Serving Past the Gatekeeper
California Assembly Bill 1742 addresses the locked building problem. AB 1742 would add Section 415.70 to the CCP — when security refuses entry, the server may serve the person controlling access as substituted service. A potential game-changer for urban servers.
The full bill analysis and legislative tracking links are at ProcessServerDaily.com.
Stay sharp. Stay informed. Live Mighty!
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