HLS 22RS-714 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 763
BY REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIS JOHNSON
LOCAL OFFL/POLICE CHIEFS: Provides relative to the office of police chief in the town
of Ferriday
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 33:381(C)(35), relative to the town of Ferriday; to provide relative to the
3 office of police chief; to provide that the office is elective rather than appointive; and
4 to provide for related matters.
5 Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published
6 as provided by Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution of
7 Louisiana.
8Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 33:381(C)(35) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 ยง381. Municipal officers
11 * * *
12 C.
13 * * *
14 (35) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the chief of police for the
15 town of Ferriday shall be elected at large. An election to fill the office of chief of
16 police shall be held at the same time as a regularly scheduled election in the town of
17 Ferriday. The appointed chief shall remain in office until the elected chief is sworn
18 in and takes office.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 22RS-714 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 763
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 763 Original 2022 Regular Session Travis Johnson
Abstract: Provides that the police chief for the town of Ferriday shall be elected rather than
appointed.
Present law (R.S. 33:381(B) and 385.1) requires that the chief of police in municipalities
governed by the Lawrason Act (mayor-board of aldermen form of government) be elected
at large and an elector of the municipality. Further requires a candidate for the office of
police chief to be domiciled in the municipality in which he is seeking office for at least one
year (six months if a village) immediately preceding his candidacy. Permits continued
appointment of chief of police where appointed as of Aug. 1, 1970.
Present law (R.S. 33:381.1) alternatively authorizes appointment of the chief of police by
the mayor with the approval of the board of aldermen when authorized by a majority of the
electors of the municipality. Requires presentation of a petition, signed by at least 25% of
such electors, prior to holding a special election on the question. Prohibits another election
on the same question for at least four years.
Present law (R.S. 33:381.2) also provides a procedure for the election or appointment of a
marshal who is the chief of police in municipalities with a population of 5,000 or less.
Authorizes appointment of the chief of police by the mayor with the approval of the board
of aldermen when authorized by a majority of the electors of the municipality at an election
held for that purpose. Alternatively provides that the electors may authorize that the chief
of police be elected. Requires an ordinance adopted by 2/3 vote of the governing authority
to submit the question of the appointment or election of the chief of police to the electorate.
Prohibits another election on the same question for at least four years.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provisions that permit the continuation of an appointed chief if appointed prior
to 1970 are applicable to the town of Ferriday.
Proposed law provides instead that the police chief for the town of Ferriday shall be elected
at large. Requires that the election for police chief be held at the same time as a regularly
scheduled election in the town of Ferriday. Requires the appointed chief to remain in office
until the elected chief is sworn in and takes office.
(Adds R.S. 33:381(C)(35))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.