HLS 19RS-871 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 322
BY REPRESENTATIVES TURNER AND CARMODY
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
FIRE PROTECT/FIRE MARSHAL: Provides for the inspection and investigation of
premisses by a fire prevention bureau
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1563(D), relative to the state fire marshal; to provide with
3 respect to the duties of fire prevention bureaus; to provide for the inspection of
4 structures, watercraft, and movables; to provide with respect to life safety standards;
5 to provide for investigation of fires; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 40:1563(D) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง1563. Powers and duties generally; use of deputies; responsibilities of local
9 governing authorities with fire prevention bureaus; open structures and
10 process structures; fees
11 * * *
12 D. For the purpose of this Part, a "fire prevention bureau" is defined as any
13 agency of a locally governed jurisdiction staffed by qualified individuals whose
14 qualifications have been reviewed by the fire marshal whose responsibility it is under
15 the laws or ordinances of that locally governed jurisdiction to inspect structures,
16 watercraft, and movables for compliance with the appropriate fire code applicable
17 as provided in R.S. 40:1578.6 and equivalencies as determined by the fire marshal
18 pursuant to R.S. 40:1574(K) and to conduct investigations of fires in accordance with
19 the provisions of R.S. 40:1566 and R.S. 40:1568.
20 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 19RS-871 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 322
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 322 Original 2019 Regular Session Turner
Abstract: Provides for the duty of fire prevention bureaus to investigate fires and inspect
structures, watercraft and movables in compliance with fire codes.
Present law defines fire prevention bureaus to include any agency with locally governed
jurisdiction which inspects structures, watercraft and movables for compliance with the
National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code and the Southern Standard Building
Code.
Present law further defines fire prevention bureaus as an agency tasked with investigating
fires to determine the cause, origin, and circumstance, and whether any fire had suspicious
origins.
Proposed law retains present law and further provides that fire prevention bureaus also
inspect pursuant to present law (R.S. 40:1574(K)), which allows the fire marshal to take into
consideration any practical difficulties or economic hardship to allow alternative
arrangements to achieve a minimum acceptable level of life safety.
(Amends R.S. 40:1563(D))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.