§ 29:253 — Veterans' Affairs Commission

§253. Veterans' Affairs Commission
A. The Veterans' Affairs Commission shall be composed of nine members who are
honorably discharged veterans, citizens of the United States of America and of this state, and
qualified voters.
(1) The membership of the commission shall be determined as follows:
(a) Each nationally chartered veterans organization with a department organization
within this state and participating in the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall be entitled to
nominate members of their organization for consideration for appointment. State
membership for such a veterans organization shall be determined as of June fifteenth in the
year in which the appointment is to be made by filing a sworn statement of membership with
the secretary of state. Such statement of membership shall be filed and sworn to by the chief
executive officer of each veterans organization. For each position on the commission, each
eligible veterans organization with:
(i) Up to ten thousand members, may nominate a maximum of three persons from
among its membership; or
(ii) Above ten thousand members, may nominate an additional three members from
among its membership for each additional ten thousand members or fraction thereof.
(b) The governor shall, from such nominees, and pursuant to R.S. 42:2.1, make six
appointments. However, the governor shall not appoint more than two members to serve on
the commission from one eligible veterans organization. The governor shall appoint three
additional members who need not be from any eligible veterans organization, but such
members shall have the qualifications provided in the introductory paragraph of this
Subsection.
(2)(a) Each member shall serve a six-year term. Each member shall serve at the
pleasure of the governor and may be removed without cause prior to the expiration of his
term upon written request by the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Each appointment by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for
confirmation.
(3) If required, nominations for appointment to fill vacancies occurring because of
the death, resignation, removal, or incapacity of a member shall be made within thirty days
of the date of vacancy, and the governor shall make the appointment within thirty days after
receiving the nominations. If nominations are not required, the governor shall make the
appointment within thirty days after receiving notice of the vacancy. Appointments to fill
vacancies shall be made for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(4) Nominations for appointment to fill vacancies resulting from the expiration of
terms of office shall be made not less than thirty days prior to the expiration of term and the
governor shall make the appointment within thirty days after receiving the nominations.
(5) In the event nominations are not made within the time specified the governor
shall make the appointment from the membership of the organization entitled to submit
nominations.
B. Each member of the commission shall be paid a per diem of seventy-five dollars
for each day devoted to the work of the commission, but not more than one thousand five
hundred dollars in any fiscal year. Each member also shall be entitled to reimbursement for
necessary traveling expenses and other expenses in accordance with rules and regulations
prescribed by the commissioner of administration pursuant to R.S. 39:231.
C. The commission shall elect one of its members as chairman. It shall maintain its
principal office in Baton Rouge in space provided by state officials or in rented offices if
suitable space is not available in state buildings. It shall maintain its records and its principal
office in such space. It shall hold its regular meetings there, unless in the discretion of the
chairman it is necessary or convenient in the performance of its duties to meet in some other
city. At least one regular meeting shall be held in each quarter annual period. The
commission shall not meet more than twelve days in any fiscal year, including any special
meetings, which may be held at times and places specified by the call of the chairman.
Written notice of the time and place of meetings shall be given by the secretary, who shall
call meetings whenever requested by a majority of the commission. A majority constitutes
a quorum for the transaction of business. No action will be taken by the commission without
the concurrence of at least five members personally present and voting. Voting by proxy, by
representation, or by mail is prohibited. The secretary of the department shall keep adequate
records and minutes of its business and official actions.

Legislative History

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 432, §1; Acts 1954, No. 262, §1; Acts 1960, No. 102, §1; Acts 1976, No. 143, §1; Acts 1977, No. 281, §1, eff. July 7, 1977; Acts 1978, No. 691, §1; Acts 1980, No. 722, §1, eff. July 29, 1980; Acts 1989, No. 48, §1; Acts 1989, No. 354, §1; Acts 1999, No. 268, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2003, No. 285, §1, eff. June 10, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 774, §6; Acts 2017, No. 303, §1; Acts 2019, No. 390, §1.