House committee voluntarily defers DeWitt bill to let all active firefighters vote for trustees

A House committee on Tuesday considered House Bill 41, sponsored by Representative DeWitt, which would change how two active-firefighter seats on the Firefighters Retirement System board are filled. The bill would remove a requirement that those seats be chosen only by union officers, allow any active firefighter with at least 10 years of service to run, permit all active firefighters to vote in those elections, and impose a three-term limit on the active-member positions.

Representative DeWitt told the committee HB 41 "does not change retirement benefits, contributions or financial structures of the system," and said the measure aims to give professional and non‑professional firefighters in small and rural departments a voice. "This bill does not remove firefighter representation from the board," he said, adding that the change concerns only who may run and who may vote.

Paul Smith, who identified himself as a representative of the Louisiana Association for Retired Professional Firefighters, said the proposal "is not a radical change" and pointed to a recent change allowing retirees broader voting that worked in practice. Mayor Chad Monso of Crowley, who also serves as an LMA appointee to the FRS board, opposed the bill, warning it could shift influence away from employer-appointed members and increase employer contribution costs; he also said imposing term limits risks losing institutional knowledge for investment and fiduciary decisions. Chad Major, a retired firefighter who said he speaks for many union members, called the measure "a bad bill" and "a personal attack," urging the committee to defer or refer it so stakeholders can work it out.

Committee staff read two sets of amendments. The first set included technical edits and clarified that the three‑term limit applies regardless of whether terms are consecutive. The second amendment inserted the word "active" so only active members of the retirement system may vote for active-member trustees. The committee adopted the amendments without objection.

Lawmakers pressed for data on membership and representation. Rep. DeWitt offered figures he had received—roughly 2,800 retirees and, by one account he cited, about 3,500 active union members and 1,500 active nonunion members—while union speakers disputed the totals and argued the existing structure balances employers, chiefs and rank‑and‑file members. Several committee members suggested compromise options, including adding an additional seat for nonunion members or implementing changes at the next election cycle to reduce cost and administrative burden.

After extended questioning and public testimony from retirees, union leaders and an employer representative, Representative Boudreau moved to voluntarily defer the bill to allow the sponsor and stakeholders to work on revisions. "If you want to do that, that's fine," Representative DeWitt said, and the committee agreed with no objection. The committee did not vote on final passage; HB 41 will be returned to committee at a later date for further negotiation or amendment.

What happens next: Rep. DeWitt said he would work with colleagues on amendments, including the possibility of adding a seat or setting a phased-in election schedule. The committee did not set a new date for reconsideration.