Abstract: Relative to the municipal fire and police civil service board in the city of Baton Rouge,
changes the qualifications for certain board members.
Present constitution creates a fire and police civil service system applicable to municipalities of over
13,000 in population and parishes and fire protection districts. Provides that the system is subject
to Art. XIV, §15.1 of the 1921 constitution made statutory by the 1974 constitution.
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; 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.
Proposed law retains present constitution and present law.
Present law, relative to both systems, creates a municipal fire and police civil service board in each
municipality, parish, and fire protection district composed of five members appointed by the
respective governing body. Requires that at least two members of the board be appointed who shall
be first nominated and elected by and from the regular employees of the fire and police departments.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law generally requires that each member of the board be a citizen of the U.S. and a resident
of the area for which fire or police protection is provided for at least five years preceding his
appointment. Additionally requires each member to be a qualified voter of the area at the time of
his appointment and to serve without compensation.
Present law requires that the two members elected from the fire and police departments be residents
of the parish in which they serve for a period of at least five years preceding their appointment to the
board, if so permitted by a resolution of the local governing authority. Provides that the two
members are not required to be residents or qualified voters of the area in which they are elected to
serve or residents of the parish in which the area is located, if so permitted by a resolution of the
local governing authority.
Proposed law retains present law but provides an exception for the city of Baton Rouge. Requires
that the three members who are not elected from the fire and police departments be residents of the
city of Baton Rouge, the unincorporated area of East Baton Rouge Parish,
or a combination thereof for at least five years preceding their appointment. Additionally requires
each of those members to be a qualified voter of East Baton Rouge Parish at the time of his
appointment.
(Adds R.S. 33:2476(B)(1)(e))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Change the board members to whom proposed law applies from the two board members
elected from the fire and police departments to the remaining three board members.