Bill Stripping Fire Marshal Authority Clears House

The Louisiana House approved a resolution that would suspend the Louisiana Fire Marshal’s authority to enforce coronavirus restrictions. Rep. Blake Miguez says fire marshal deputies are checking businesses to make sure they are following capacity restrictions and it is the fire marshal who helped develop the capacity limits at high school and college football games. Miguez says his legislation is part of an overall effort from Republican lawmakers who are trying to rein in the coronavirus emergency orders that have been established by the Edwards administration. The fire marshal’s office is not the agency that issues penalties. The state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the Louisiana Department of Health handle those duties. The resolution passed 62-33 and heads to the Louisiana Senate for more discussion.