House Bill No. by Representative Fontenot aims to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for boiler inspection and management in Louisiana by enacting Subpart D-4 of Part III of Chapter 7 of Title 40 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The bill grants the state fire marshal authority over rulemaking, licensing of boiler inspectors, and the procedures for inspections and certifications. It mandates annual external and internal inspections for power boilers and high-temperature water boilers, establishes fees for operating certificates, and outlines the fire marshal's duties, including the ability to investigate and enforce regulations. The bill also repeals existing provisions in Part II of Chapter 1 and Part III of Chapter 5 of Title 23 that previously governed boiler inspections.

Additionally, the bill updates regulations regarding the installation, movement, and reinstallation of boilers, increasing the permit fee from $25 to $150 and removing the exemption for the city of New Orleans. It introduces a new penalty system for non-compliance, replacing previous misdemeanor penalties with a warning and civil penalty structure, imposing fines of up to $250 per day for continued violations. The bill also stipulates that all fees collected from inspection certificates and installation permits will be allocated for the operation and maintenance of the office of the state fire marshal. The changes are designed to modernize boiler regulations and enhance safety standards, with the law set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
HB799 Original: