Louisiana § RS 56:1681 - Creation; purpose and duties; members; appointments and terms; compensation; chairman; meetings

§ RS 56:1681. Creation; purpose and duties; members; appointments and terms; compensation; chairman; meetings

A.(1)  The State Parks and Recreation Commission is hereby created.  The purpose of the commission is to promote the goals and objectives of the office of state parks and act in an advisory capacity to that office and its assistant secretary and the secretary of the department in matters relating to parks, recreation facilities, programs, and the efficient administration thereof.  It shall also cooperate with the political subdivisions of the state when officially requested.

(2)  The commission shall be composed of eighteen members, as follows:

(a)  The governor or his designee.

(b)  The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or his designee.

(c)  One member to be appointed by the governor from a panel of four members nominated by the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc.

(d)  One member to be appointed by the governor from a panel of four members nominated by the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Louisiana, Inc.

(e)  Four members to be appointed by the governor from a panel of eight names submitted by the Louisiana Recreation and Parks Association.

(f)  Four members, at large, to be appointed by the governor, at least two of whom shall be members of a minority.

(g)  One member to be appointed by the governor from a panel of four names submitted by the Louisiana Municipal Association.

(h)  One member to be appointed by the governor from a panel of four names submitted by the Louisiana Police Jury Association.

(i)  One member to be appointed by the governor from a panel of four names submitted by the Louisiana Nature Conservancy.

(j)  The assistant commissioner of the office of forestry of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry or his designee.

(k)  One member to be appointed by the governor from a panel of four names submitted by the Louisiana Preservation Alliance.

(l)  One member to be appointed by the governor from a panel of four names submitted by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana.

(3)  Each appointment by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

B.(1)  Each appointive member shall serve a term concurrent with that of the governor making the appointment.  An appointive member shall continue to serve until his successor is appointed and takes office.  A vacancy shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment within sixty days, except that the nominating group shall submit a list of three names from which the appointment shall be made from among the membership.  The qualification requirements for appointment of each member to the commission shall remain in effect for the duration of such appointment.  In the event a member, after appointment, should fail to maintain the qualifications or classification of his original appointment, that member shall resign or be removed and shall be replaced with a member possessing the proper qualifications and classifications.

(2)  The members shall be persons who have displayed an active interest in, and knowledge of, the work which falls under the jurisdiction of the commission.  Each member of the commission shall receive a per diem of twenty-five dollars for each day of attendance at meetings of the commission and upon approval of the secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism shall receive actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.  The commission shall elect its chairman from among its members for a two-year term.  The commission shall have no power granted in this Chapter, unless and until, at least one person shall have been appointed thereto who is of a minority race, and one person shall have been appointed who is a woman.

C.  The chairman shall convene regular quarterly meetings.  Members shall not be paid for more than four meetings a year.  Special meetings shall be held on the call of the chairman, or on request of a majority of the members.  Any ten members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any and all business at any regular or special meeting.  In the absence of the chairman, the remaining members shall appoint a temporary chairman having all the powers of the absent chairman.

Acts 1980, No. 826, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1980; Acts 1980, No. 827, §1.  Amended by Acts 1981, No. 60, §§1, 2; Acts 1988, No. 727, §1, eff. July 15, 1988; Acts 1991, No. 942, §1; Acts 1997, No. 80, §1; Acts 2004, No. 789, §2; Acts 2010, No. 9, §1; Acts 2010, No. 551, §1.