LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: SB 31 SLS 24RS 198
Bill Text Version: ENROLLED
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: May 24, 2024 3:54 PM Author: WHEAT
Dept./Agy.: Office of Risk Management
Subject: Increases death payments to firemen Analyst: Tamiko Stroud
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES EN +$200,000 GF EX See Note Page 1 of 1
Increases survivor benefits for dependent children of firemen and law enforcement officers. (8/1/24)
Present law provides $250,000 in survivor benefits to the spouse or other legal survivor of a fireman or law enforcement
officer in certain circumstances. In addition, present law provides $25,000 in survivor benefits to the legal representative of
the dependent child or children. Proposed law increases the amount paid for each dependent child from $25,000 to $50,000.
Proposed law has an effective date of August 1, 2024.
EXPENDITURES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $1,000,000
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $1,000,000
REVENUES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION
The proposed law is projected to increase expenditures for the Division of Administration (DOA), Office of Risk Management
(ORM) by $200,000 for FY 25 and in subsequent years. According to Section 1. R.S. 40:1665(C)(1) and 1665.2(C)(1), the
state must provide the financial security of surviving spouses and dependent children of firemen when firemen suffer death
as a result of any injury arising out of and in the course of the performance of their official duties as firemen.
Present law provides $25,000 in survivor benefits for each dependent child to the duly appointed and qualified tutor or legal
representative of each child. Proposed law increases the amount paid for each dependent child from $25,000 to $50,000.
Payments shall be made by the state risk manager out of the Self-Insurance Fund.
Pursuant to R.S. 39:1533(A)(2), at the close of each fiscal year, the treasurer shall transfer funds from the Self-Insurance
Fund to pay the $50,000 in survivor benefits for each dependent child on behalf of the Law Enforcement Officers and
Fireman’s Survivor Benefit Review Board. DOA has paid an average of eight (8) benefits payments for dependent children
annually for the past three fiscal years (FY 21 through FY 23), for an average annual total spend of $200,000 ($25,000 x 8
benefits payments). DOA anticipates that the proposed legislation will lead to an annual increase of $200,000 SGF as a
result of the monetary benefit doubling.
The Office of Risk Management reports the existing fund balance of the Self-Insurance Fund will be utilized to mitigate any
increase in expenditures as a result of this measure. The current balance of the Self-Insurance Fund for FY 24 is
$2,289,229.54 as of 4/29/24. Any remaining funds not used in FY 24 will carryover into FY 25 in addition to the $5 M
appropriation.
REVENUE EXPLANATION
There is no anticipated direct material effect on governmental revenues as a result of this measure.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
x 13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} x 6.8(F)(1) >= $100,000 SGF Fiscal Cost {H & S}
13.5.2 >= $500,000 Annual Tax or Fee Patrice Thomas
6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Deputy Fiscal Officer


Statutes affected:
SB31 Original: 40:1665(C)(1), 40:2(C)(1)
SB31 Engrossed: 40:1665(C)(1), 40:2(C)(1)
SB31 Enrolled: 40:1665(C)(1), 40:2(C)(1)
SB31 Act 283: 40:1665(C)(1), 40:2(C)(1)