RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 351 (HB 777) 2022 Regular Session Glover
Existing constitution creates a fire and police civil service system applicable to
municipalities of over 13,000 in population and parishes and fire protection districts.
Provides that the system is subject to Art. XIV, §15.1 of the 1921 Constitution made
statutory by the 1974 Constitution. Existing law creates and provides for two fire and police
civil service systems: (1) one applicable to any municipality which operates paid police and
fire departments and which has a population of not fewer than 13,000 persons; and (2) one
applicable to any parish, fire protection district, or municipality with a population of fewer
than 13,000, but not fewer than 7,000 persons.
Existing law, relative to both systems, provides that a municipal fire and police civil service
board is created in each municipality, parish, and fire protection district. Provides that the
board shall be composed of five members who shall serve without compensation. Further
provides that the board shall have a chairman, a vice chairman, and a secretary.
Existing law, relative to the system applicable to municipalities with a population of not
fewer than 13,000, requires that the board fill the office of secretary in one of the following
ways:
(1)By electing one of its members thereto.
(2)By appointing the city clerk or secretary-treasurer of the municipality to fill such
office ex officio.
(3)By employing on a part-time basis any other person and paying a salary not to exceed
$1,250 per month, which salary must be approved by the municipal governing
authority.
Prior law provided an exception for municipalities with a population in excess of 150,000
but not more than 210,000 by authorizing them to fill the office of secretary by employing
any person on a full-time basis. New law instead provides that the board, not the respective
municipality, may fill the office of secretary, on a full-time basis, with any person whom the
board deems qualified.
Prior law authorized municipalities with a population in excess of 150,000 but not more than
210,000 to establish a rate of salary and benefits equivalent to like administrative personnel
of the respective municipality. New law instead requires that the secretary receive
compensation and benefits within a salary range that is comparable to the salary range
established for classified personnel employed in similar administrative positions by the
respective municipality. Provides that the secretary serves at the pleasure of the board and
is solely accountable to the board.
Effective August 1, 2022.
(Amends R.S. 33:2476.6)