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Subcommittee narrows jury‑exemption language for fire marshals and reports bill
Summary
Patron Delegate McLaughlin sought an automatic jury exemption for state fire marshals; committee discussed distinctions between state full‑time marshals and local or volunteer appointees and agreed to an amended approach; bill reported 9–1.
Delegate McLaughlin presented HB 350 to add state fire marshals to the list of automatic exemptions from jury service, arguing that fire marshals often work investigative and law‑enforcement cases that would make impartial jury service inappropriate. Committee members asked whether the change would extend automatic exemption too broadly and whether it would include local or volunteer marshals.
The state fire marshal (appearing in formal testimony) said the Commonwealth's state fire marshals are full‑time positions and that local fire marshals can be local appointees—some of whom might be volunteers depending on local practice. Counsel explained the relevant code sections and the distinction between state marshals and locality appointments; members moved to strike language that would have broadened the exemption beyond state fire marshals. After amendments, the subcommittee reported the bill as amended by a recorded vote of 9–1.
