2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 42 — Public officers and employees
RS 42:882 — Composition of board

§882. Composition of board

A. Membership and qualifications. The board shall be composed of sixteen members, fifteen of whom shall be voting members, as follows:

(1) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House who shall be a voting member.

(2) One member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate who shall be a voting member.

(3) The commissioner of insurance or his designee, who shall be a nonvoting member.

(4) Five members appointed by the governor from individuals from the private sector, who shall be voting members, as follows:

(a) Three such members shall be appointed, one from each of the following occupations or professions:

(i) An employee health care/employee benefits specialist.

(ii) A certified public accountant.

(iii) A licensed health and life insurance agent.

(b) Two members shall be appointed from the private sector at large.

(c) At least one of the members appointed as provided in this Paragraph shall be a member of a minority race.

(5) Two members who shall be elected by retired participants in the health benefits programs offered by the Office of Group Benefits and who shall be voting members, as follows:

(a) One retiree member who shall be elected from among retired teachers or other retired school employees.

(b) One retiree member who shall be elected from among retired state employees.

(c) Members elected as provided in this Paragraph shall have been continuous full-time employees for a minimum of five years as a state employee or as a teacher or other school employee, respectively.

(6)(a) Six members who shall be elected by participants in health benefits programs offered by the Office of Group Benefits, and who shall be voting members, as follows:

(i) One member who shall be elected from among the personnel of the public institutions of higher education in the state.

(ii) One member who shall be elected from among the teachers or other school employees of the elementary and secondary schools of the state.

(iii) One member who shall be elected from among the personnel of the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Children and Family Services.

(iv) One member who shall be elected from among the personnel of the Department of Transportation and Development.

(v) One member who shall be elected from among the personnel of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

(vi) One member who shall be elected from among all other personnel of state government.

(b) Members elected as provided in this Paragraph shall be participants in health programs offered by the Office of Group Benefits and shall have ten years' work experience as a state employee, or teacher or other school employee, respectively, or shall have at least three years' work experience in one of the following areas: human resources, health care, employee benefits programs, executive level management, or budget management.

B. Terms. The terms of the members of the board shall be as follows:

(1) Each of the members as provided in Paragraphs (A)(1), (2), and (3) of this Section shall serve a four-year term concurrent with his term of office.

(2) Each of the members of the board appointed by the governor as provided in Paragraph (A)(4) of this Section shall serve a term of six years. No such person shall be appointed to serve more than two terms.

(3) The eight elected members elected pursuant to Paragraphs (A)(5) and (6) of this Section shall serve a term of six years. No such person shall be elected to serve more than two terms. The board shall adopt rules and regulations to govern the election of these members.

C. Confirmation. All members appointed by the governor shall be subject to Senate confirmation at the first regular session of the legislature following their appointment.

D. Vacancies. (1) With the exception of the members elected pursuant to Paragraphs (A)(5) and (6) of this Section, any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(2) In the event of a vacancy of a member elected pursuant to Paragraphs (A)(5) and (6) of this Section, the board shall fill the vacancy by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term unless the unexpired portion of the term is for a period of more than two years, in which case the appointment shall be until a successor is elected to fill the unexpired portion of the term. Such appointments and elections shall be in accordance with rules adopted and promulgated by the board.

E. Attendance. In the event that any member of the board is absent from three consecutive scheduled board and committee meetings, the board shall declare a vacancy in that position. Such vacancy shall be filled as provided in Subsection D of this Section. Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to prohibit the reappointment or reelection of any person removed under these provisions. This Subsection shall not apply to the member as provided in Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section.

Acts 2001, No. 1178, §5, eff. June 29, 2001.