Louisiana § RS 3:2074 - Louisiana Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board; creation and organization

§ RS 3:2074. Louisiana Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board; creation and organization

            A. The Louisiana Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board is hereby created within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The board shall be domiciled in Baton Rouge.

            B. The board shall consist of thirteen members appointed by the commissioner as follows:

            (1) One member who is engaged in the equine event business appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.

            (2) One member who is engaged in the trail facility business appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.

            (3) One member who is engaged in equine educational programs from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Louisiana.

            (4) One member engaged in the promotion of the equine industry appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.

            (5) One member who is engaged in equine research from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Louisiana.

            (6) Two members who are engaged in equine performance.

            (7) Two members who are engaged in equine racing.

            (8) One member who is an owner or operator of a therapeutic riding and rehabilitation center appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.

            (9) One member who is an owner or operator of an equine facility appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.

            (10) One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association.

            (11) One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

            C.(1) The commissioner, or his designee, shall serve as an ex officio member in an advisory capacity only.

            (2) The lieutenant governor, or his designee, shall serve as an ex officio member in an advisory capacity only.

            (3) The president of Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc., or his designee, shall serve as an ex officio member in an advisory capacity only.

            D. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner.

            E. An organization authorized to make nominations for appointment to the board shall submit its list of nominees within thirty days after the commissioner requests the list. The commissioner shall make all appointments to the board no later than thirty days after receiving the list of nominees. The board should be representative of the state's population by race and gender to ensure diversity.

            F. A vacancy in the office of a member shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Persons appointed to fill vacancies shall serve for the unexpired portion of the vacated term.

            G. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the board shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board present and voting.

            H. Members of the board shall receive no compensation.

            I. The board shall meet at least twice a year and may meet at other times on the call of the chairman or any four members.

            J. The board, by a vote of a majority of the members, may expel a member for good cause shown. Good cause shall include but shall not be limited to three consecutive unexcused absences. The expulsion of a member creates a vacancy in the office of the expelled member.

            K. The board shall meet and organize as soon as practicable after appointment of the members, and shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary-treasurer from the membership of the board, whose duties shall be those customarily exercised by such officers or specifically designated by the board. Officers shall serve a one-year term.

            Acts 2021, No. 168, §1, eff. June 11, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 3, §1, eff. May 13, 2022.