HLS 23RS-431 ENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 163
BY REPRESENTATIVE SELDERS
CIVIL SERVICE/FIRE & POL: Provides relative to the secretary of the Baton Rouge
municipal fire and police civil service board
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 33:2476.7, relative to the Baton Rouge municipal fire and police civil service
3 board; to provide relative to the office of board secretary; to provide relative to the
4 qualifications, salary, and benefits of the secretary; to provide relative to supervision
5 of the secretary; and to provide for related matters.
6 Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published
7 as provided by Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution of
8 Louisiana.
9Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. R.S. 33:2476.7 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
11 ยง2476.7. City of Baton Rouge municipal fire and police civil service board; board
12 secretary
13 Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 33:2476(L)(1), the Baton Rouge
14 municipal fire and police civil service board may fill the office of secretary by
15 employing unclassified personnel whom the board deems qualified. The secretary
16 shall receive compensation and benefits comparable to that of other full-time
17 classified or unclassified personnel employed in similar positions or performing
18 similar job functions. The secretary is solely accountable to the board and serves at
19 the pleasure of the board.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-431 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 163
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 163 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Selders
Abstract: Provides for employment of a secretary of the Baton Rouge municipal fire and
police civil service board.
Present 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 (large municipalities); 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 (small municipalities).
Present law relative to both systems, provides for a fire and police civil service board in each
local jurisdiction. Provides that the board is composed of five members who serve without
compensation. Further provides that the board shall have a chairman, vice-chairman, and
a secretary.
Present law relative to the system applicable to large municipalities requires that the office
of board secretary be filled in one of the following ways:
(1)By electing a board member.
(2)By appointing the clerk or secretary-treasurer of the municipality.
(3)By employing on a part-time basis any other person at a salary not to exceed $1,250
per month.
Proposed law provides an exception for the city of Baton Rouge; authorizes the municipal
fire and police civil service board to fill the office of secretary by employing unclassified
personnel whom the board deems qualified. Provides that the secretary shall receive
compensation and benefits comparable to that of other full-time personnel employed in
similar positions or performing similar job functions. Provides that the secretary is solely
accountable to the board and serves at the pleasure of the board.
(Adds R.S. 33:2476.7)
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.