Fire chiefs say they were left out as committee advances compromise changing firefighters’ board elections
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Summary
HB 41’s compromise amendment changes the Firefighters' Retirement System board makeup—increasing elected active members, removing chiefs' appointment authority and replacing it with elected seats—while chiefs testified they were not consulted; the committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 41 as amended.
Representative DeWitt presented HB 41 proposing changes to the Firefighters' Retirement System Board including term limits, qualification and election processes and removing statutory appointment authority for chiefs. Committee staff outlined a new amendment package (2354) that, among other changes, increases the number of elected active members from two to five, removes chiefs’ automatic appointment authority and provides transition language and an effective date upon the governor’s signature.
Supporters described the package as a compromise representing roughly 97% of system members and said chiefs could still run for elected seats. Representative Boudreaux and others argued the change ensures fair representation for nonunion and rural firefighters. Chad Robertson of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, who filed a red card to speak, said the chiefs were not consulted and urged the committee to retain chiefs’ representation because chiefs oversee a significant portion of budgets that fund retirement contributions: "We weren't brought in on this bill at all... the chiefs were completely left out of this bill." Representative Boudreaux responded that the amendment does not remove anyone and chiefs remain eligible to run for elected seats. The committee adopted the amendment set with no recorded objection and reported HB 41 favorably as amended.
