HLS 22RS-980 ENGROSSED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 565
BY REPRESENTATIVE BACALA
FIRE PROTECT/FIRE MARSHAL: Provides relative to duties of the fire marshal
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 40:1563.1(C), relative to fire marshals; to provide relative to the
3 authority and powers of the fire marshal, first assistant fire marshal, and deputy fire
4 marshals; to provide for a restriction; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 40:1563.1(C) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 ยง1563.1. Authority to make arrests and carry firearms; arson task force
8 * * *
9 C.(1) The fire marshal, the first assistant fire marshal, and each deputy fire
10 marshal shall have the authority to investigate and cause the arrest of any person
11 suspected of having committed any offense connected to the investigation of any of
12 the offenses enumerated in Subsection A of this Section, or connected to the
13 investigation of a burn injury report submitted to the office of state fire marshal in
14 accordance with R.S. 14:403.4, or connected to any inspection for which the fire
15 marshal, the first assistant fire marshal, and each deputy fire marshal have the
16 authority to conduct an investigation.
17 (2) Upon the request of any regular law enforcement agency of this state, the
18 fire marshal, the first assistant fire marshal, and each deputy fire marshal shall
19 prevent and detect crime, apprehend criminals, enforce the criminal laws of the state,
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-980 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 565
1 keep the peace and good order in the enforcement of the state's police powers, and
2 perform any other related duties imposed upon them by the legislature.
3 (3) Additionally, while on special assignment during any riot, insurrection,
4 or any declared disaster; the fire marshal, the first assistant fire marshal, and each
5 deputy fire marshal shall possess all of the powers and authority of regular law
6 enforcement officers of this state.
7 (4) No fire marshal, first assistant fire marshal, or deputy fire marshal shall
8 enforce any provision of Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.
9 * * *
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 565 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Bacala
Abstract: Provides relative to the authority and powers of the fire marshal, the first
assistant fire marshal, and deputy fire marshals.
Present law provides that the fire marshal, first assistant fire marshal, and each deputy fire
marshal shall have the authority to investigate and arrest any person suspected of committing
any offense connected to the investigation of any of the offenses enumerated in present law
(R.S. 40:1563.1), or connected to the investigation of a burn injury report submitted to the
office of state fire marshal in accordance with present law (R.S. 14:403.4).
Proposed law amends present law to provide that the fire marshal, first assistant fire marshal,
and each deputy fire marshal shall have the authority to investigate and cause the arrest of
any person connected to any inspection which the fire marshal, first assistant fire marshal,
and each deputy fire marshal have the authority to conduct an investigation.
Proposed law provides that upon the request of any regular state law enforcement agency,
the fire marshal, first assistant fire marshal, and each deputy fire marshal shall prevent and
detect crime, apprehend criminals, enforce the criminal laws of the state, keep the peace and
good order in the enforcement of the state's police powers, and perform any other related
duties imposed upon them by the legislature.
Proposed law provides that the fire marshal, the first assistant fire marshal, and each deputy
fire marshal shall possess all of the powers and authority of regular state law enforcement
officers while on special assignment during any riot, insurrection, or any declared disaster.
Proposed law provides that no fire marshal, first assistant fire marshal, or deputy fire
marshal shall enforce any provision of present law (Title 32 of the La. Revised Statutes of
1950).
(Amends R.S. 40:1563.1(C))
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-980 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 565
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.