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Committee approves raise in line‑of‑duty death benefit to $350,000 for survivors of officers and firefighters
Summary
HB979 would raise the state line‑of‑duty death benefit from $250,000 to $350,000 for survivors of law enforcement officers and firefighters. Sponsor Representative Wiley and Emily Andrews from the governor’s office told the committee the governor intended the increase and that ORM funds and the executive budget likely cover the near‑term costs; the committee reported the bill favorable.
The House Appropriations Committee on April 21 voted to report HB979 favorable, a bill that would increase the line‑of‑duty death benefit for survivors of law enforcement officers and firefighters from $250,000 to $350,000.
Representative Wiley, sponsor of the bill, described the proposal as an overdue update to a benefit that had not been increased in roughly 20 years. "We think is most justified after 20 years, some to raise it from 250,000 to 350,000," Wiley said, noting the governor’s support and that the award would pass first to a spouse and then to children or the estate.
Emily Andrews, general counsel for Governor Jeff Landry, said the governor included related funds in the executive package and that the Office of Risk Management (ORM) previously indicated the state would not need immediate additional funds because of unspent prior-year balances. Andrews said historically the legislature sets an annual appropriation (commonly about $5 million) for survivor benefits and that in years when claims exceed that appropriation, additional funding has been provided subsequently.
Committee members questioned the average number of claims and the fiscal note methodology; Andrews clarified earlier remarks by distinguishing felonious deaths from all line‑of‑duty deaths and said the historical practice has been to appropriate $5 million for survivor benefits with periodic adjustments. After discussion and public support statements, the committee reported HB979 favorable.
What happens next: HB979 was reported favorable and will proceed through the legislative process.
Provenance: committee discussion and testimony from Representative Wiley and Emily Andrews during HB979 presentation and Q&A.
