House Bill No. by Representative Boyer amends R.S. 13:1881(B) to enhance the authority of marshals in appointing deputy marshals. The bill allows marshals to appoint one or more credentialed deputy marshals who will have the same powers and authority as the marshal, but this is subject to approval from the local governing authority where the marshal has jurisdiction. Additionally, the local governing authority is required to insure any approved deputy marshals and must inform the marshal at the beginning of each fiscal year about the maximum number of commissions that can be issued. If the marshal's jurisdiction overlaps into multiple wards, the governing authority with the larger population, as determined by the most recent federal census, will have decision-making authority regarding the number of allowable commissions.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the compensation for deputy marshals will be determined and paid by the governing authorities of the relevant city or parish. The city marshal is permitted to use available funds for office expenses, including proceeds from criminal matters, to pay deputy marshals or to hire additional deputies, but cannot set or supplement their own salary. Importantly, the salary of any deputy marshal cannot exceed that of the city marshal.

Statutes affected:
HB1038 Original: 13:1881(B)