HB1038 regarding City Marshals in Louisiana

Bill is specific to cities / districts with less than 40,000 population.
From memory, so I can be not 100% correct.
Current -
Marshall’s do not create their funding, have no resource to produce funding, thus Marshall’s rely on City funding the operating costs.
Marshall has no liability insurance for appointed / non-paid reserve deputy Marshall’s.
Marshall can hire as many deputy Marshall’s and the city pays salary, benefits and insures liability.
Cities have no authority over the Marshall’s office.
Marshall salaries are outrageous, and not set by the city.
Thibodaux Marshall makes around $157,000 and some make over $300,000 yr.

Proposed -
City has to approve the number of Deputy Marshall’s employed.
City has some oversight.
Does not remove any authority or powers from the Marshall, only funding authority.


HTV Houma interview with Rep Fontenot HB1038

quote:

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Marshall’s do not create their funding, have no resource to produce funding, thus Marshall’s rely on City funding the operating costs

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Technically they can take a small % of what is awarded when they serve papers for things like garnishments. It's not a lot though

They forgot to add the revenue they receive to look the other way and not find criminals. Give them a little cash on the side and the marshal looses their address and always seems to be a few minutes late when they go to make an arrest.

Dang we trying but we just can't seem to find them.

I know both of them well. I think highly of both of them.
I have heard stories about both that would reflect negatively on their character, however I personally never experienced anything like that.

Fontenot appeared to come from a positive place, and supported his position with verifiable facts in an in person videoed interview.

Cooks has only gone on social media and that resulted in mud slinging, name calling and getting people emotional. That is what you do, when you don’t have facts to defend your position. This appears to be a common sense fiscal bill and nothing more.
Unfortunately, the current political climate does not always have the stomach to do the right thing. We will know by June 1st.

The bill does not reduce nor eliminate any services or enforcement duties for the Marshal’s office. Only the funding. You decide which side you feel is right.

Who supports the bill? Cities, Parishes, Sheriff’s Association, DA’s

Who opposes the bill? Marshall & Constables Association