2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 56 — Wildlife and fisheries
RS 56:578.2 — Louisiana seafood promotion and marketing board; creation and organization

§578.2. Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board; creation and organization

A.(1) There is hereby created in the office of fisheries of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. The agency shall have its domicile in Baton Rouge and shall be governed by a board of trustees composed of sixteen members, fifteen members to be appointed by the governor from persons engaged in the commercial seafood and alligator industry in Louisiana to serve terms concurrent with the governor, and the sixteenth member to be the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or his designated representative, who shall serve as an ex officio member.

(2) The appointed members shall be chosen as follows:

(a) One shall be appointed from a list of three names submitted by the American Shrimp Processors Association and the Louisiana Shrimp Association.

(b) One shall be appointed from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers Association.

(c) One shall be appointed from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana crawfish industry.

(d) One shall be appointed from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Restaurant Association.

(e) Two shall represent the harvesting sector of the shrimp industry, one or more of which shall be appointed from a list of names submitted by shrimp organizations or associations currently active throughout the state.

(3) Of the remaining nine members to be appointed:

(a) One member shall be a seafood retailer or wholesaler.

(b) One member shall represent the commercial saltwater finfish industry.

(c) One member shall represent the commercial freshwater finfish industry.

(d) One member shall be a seafood processor.

(e) One member shall represent the crab industry.

(f) One member shall be a home economist.

(g) One member shall represent the wild catfish industry.

(h) One member shall be a marketing specialist.

(i) One member shall represent the alligator industry.

(4) The names of each of the fifteen members appointed by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

B. The members of the board shall meet and elect a chairman, vice chairman, and a secretary-treasurer from the membership of the board, whose duties shall be those customarily exercised by such officers or specifically designated by the board. The board may establish rules and regulations for its own government and the administration of the affairs of the board. The board may disqualify any appointed member for cause, including excessive absences from board meetings. If any board member is so disqualified, the vacancy created thereby shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

C. The presence of nine members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business and the carrying out of duties of the board. Each member shall take and subscribe to the oath of office prescribed for state officers. No member shall receive any salary, but each member shall receive the sum of twenty dollars per day for each day spent in actual attendance at meetings of the board or at meetings of duly appointed committees or subcommittees thereof and such allowance for traveling expenses in attending the meetings as is allowed for other state employees for traveling expenses.

D. The board shall maintain a record of its proceedings, and all matters requiring a vote of the board shall be recorded in the minutes in sufficient detail to determine whether subsequent action thereon is in compliance with the board's directives.

E. The board may employ a director and assistant director who shall be appointed by the board, subject to the approval of the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The director and assistant director shall be in the unclassified service. The secretary may employ such other personnel for the board as he deems necessary and appropriate.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 890, §1. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 378, §1, eff. July 20, 1982; Acts 1986, No. 120, §2; Acts 1989, No. 498, §1; Acts 1992, No. 162, §1; Acts 1999, No. 753, §1; Acts 2008, No. 272, §1; Acts 2009, No. 131, §1.