2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 3:551.63 — Creation and organization

§551.63.  Creation and organization

A.  The Louisiana Rice Promotion Board is hereby created, with its domicile in Crowley, Louisiana.

B.  The board shall be composed of nine members appointed by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation.  Members shall serve for four-year terms which shall begin on the first day of July of 1988 and each four years thereafter.  Members shall be appointed in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)  Six members shall be appointed from a list of twelve persons nominated by the Louisiana Rice Council.

(2)  One member shall be appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Rice Growers Association.

(3)  One member shall be appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the American Rice Growers Cooperative Association.

(4)  One member shall be appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.

C.  Not less than thirty days prior to the first day of July in 1988 and every four years thereafter, the Louisiana Rice Council, the Louisiana Rice Growers Association, the American Rice Growers Cooperative Association, and the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation shall each submit the names of their nominees, all of whom shall be rice producers, to the governor, who shall appoint the required number of board members from each set of nominees.  In the event that the governor fails to appoint the members of the board in accordance with this Section, the current members shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed.

D.  Any vacancy on the board by reason of death, removal, resignation or disqualification of a member or for any other cause shall be filled by appointment of the chairman for the remainder of the term.

E.  The members of the board shall meet and organize immediately after their appointment and shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary-treasurer from the membership of the board.  The duties of the officers 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 and shall have the following duties, functions, and authorizations in addition to and in conjunction with the aforenamed:

(1)  To plan and conduct, in such manner as the board may determine, referenda among producers for the approval or disapproval of the program in accordance with the provisions of this part.

(2)  To make recommendations and to advise the commissioner concerning rules and regulations relating to the administration of the collection of the assessments.

(3)  To enter into contracts for rice promotion with rice promotion and other organizations relating to the production, handling, marketing and utilization of rice, which rice promotion organizations may include nonprofit organizations of which members of the board are members.

(4)  To keep minutes, books and records which will clearly reflect all of its meetings, acts and transactions. The minutes, books and records at all times shall be subject to examination by any rice producer on whom an assessment has been collected.

(5)  To publicize the actions of the board in the news media serving the rice areas of Louisiana.

(6)  To investigate and cause prosecution to be instituted for violation of the provisions of this part.

F.  The commissioner of agriculture shall serve as an ex officio member of the board in an advisory capacity.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 104, §1; Amended by Acts 1977, No. 119, §1; Acts 1980, No. 353, §1; Acts 1988, No. 577, §1.