A bill cast as a way to add accountability to the embattled East Baton Rouge Council on Aging died Thursday as its supporters described a need to reform the agency while others said seniors have never complained about their services.

Baton Rouge Republican State Reps. Steve Carter, Paula Davis and Franklin Foil pushed for the bill, which would have cut the Council on Aging's board membership from 15 members to nine. It also would have changed the way members are appointed, giving elected officials more leverage over appointments in their districts and allowing the Capital Area United Way and AARP to each make an appointment to the board.

"We have no ill will bringing this bill to the committee, we have had a number of constituents, a number of people are concerned about the Council on Aging and we want it to be successful," Carter told the House Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee. "We feel a change is needed to restore public trust and confidence in the Council on Aging and it needs a fresh new look."