Committee adopts amendments to standardize local burn‑ban authority after major I‑12 fire

Representative Coats told the committee HB 1153 was prompted by a large fire near Interstate 12 and aims to create a clear, consistent framework for parishes and municipalities to declare and enforce burn bans. Coats said the changes were drafted with input from district attorneys and fire officials to ensure enforceability.

The committee adopted Amendment 3909, which requires the governing authority to lift a ban “when the risk ceases to be elevated,” changes notice language to require publication in the parish journal (and removes a mandatory reasonable‑notice clause), and narrows the definition of prohibited recreational fires to those "not contained within fire pits or enclosures." Penalty provisions were adjusted to remove a felony/misdemeanor escalation and instead provide specific fine and imprisonment ranges for offenses that cause damage or knowingly violate a ban.

Guy Cormier of the Police Bureau Association of Louisiana and Shane Spielman of Professional Firefighters supported the bill and said it removes confusing language and gives local authorities workable enforcement tools. Cormier said, “This kind of puts everybody on the same playing field.” Spielman said present law could be convoluted and that the bill “cleaned it up a lot better.”

After questions from members about whether municipal governments would be subject to fines and how controlled agricultural or prescribed burns are treated, the committee moved HB 1153 forward as amended.

The committee did not record a roll‑call vote; amendment adoption and the motion to move the bill to the floor were approved by voice vote.