House Bill No. 450, introduced by Representative Kerner, amends existing laws regarding the awarding of points to veterans in competitive fire and police civil service employment. The bill modifies R.S. 33:2491(E) and 2551(5) to expand the eligibility criteria for veterans to receive an additional five points on their final test score when placed on the competitive employment list for the entrance or lowest ranking class in the classified service. Previously, only veterans who served during times of war were eligible; the new language allows any veteran who has served in the U.S. armed forces for 180 days or more, regardless of whether their service was during wartime, to qualify for these additional points.

The bill retains the existing structure of the fire and police civil service system, which applies to municipalities with populations over 13,000 and other specified jurisdictions. It emphasizes the requirement for proof of military service and honorable discharge, which must be verified by the local civil service board or state examiner. The amendments adopted by the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs clarify the military service requirements, ensuring that veterans who meet the new criteria are recognized and rewarded in the hiring process for fire and police positions.

Statutes affected:
HB450 Original: 33:2491(E), 33:2551(5)
HB450 Engrossed: 33:2491(E), 33:2551(5)