§ 29:730 — Interjurisdictional homeland security and emergency preparedness agency

A. The governing authorities of any two or more parishes may enter into agreements, under which they shall be authorized to establish regional organizations for homeland security and emergency preparedness. Such agreements shall include plans, programs, administration, personnel, unified operation, allotment of available equipment, and distribution of costs and funds.
B. Interjurisdictional homeland security and emergency preparedness agencies shall prepare and distribute to all appropriate officials, in written form, a clear and complete statement of the homeland security and emergency responsibilities of all local agencies and officials and of the disaster chain of command.
C. Political subdivisions not participating in interjurisdictional arrangements pursuant to this Chapter nevertheless shall be encouraged and assisted by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to conclude suitable arrangements for furnishing mutual aid in coping with disasters. The arrangements shall include provisions of aid by persons and units in public employ.
D. No personal services may be compensated by the state or any subdivision or an agency thereof, except pursuant to statute or local ordinance.
E. Compensation for property shall be paid only if the property was commandeered or otherwise used in coping with a disaster emergency and its use, damage, or destruction was ordered by the governor or a member of the disaster emergency forces of this state.
F. Any person claiming compensation for the use, damages, loss, or destruction of property under this Chapter shall file a claim therefor with the authority which ordered the use or caused the loss or destruction of the property.
G. Unless the amount of compensation on account of property damaged, lost, or destroyed is agreed between the claimant and the authority which ordered the use or caused the damage, the amount of compensation shall be calculated in the same manner as compensation due for a taking of property pursuant to the condemnation laws of this state.
H. Nothing in this Section applies to or authorizes compensation for the destruction or damaging of standing timber or other property in order to provide a fire break, or to the release of waters or the breach of impoundments in order to reduce pressure or other danger from actual or threatened flood.

Legislative History

Acts 1993, No. 800, §1, eff. June 22, 1993; Acts 2003, No. 40, §2, eff. May 23, 2003; Acts 2006, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 35, §1, eff. March 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 442, §3, eff. June 15, 2006.