§ 36:953 — Transition plan for reorganization

A. On and after January 1, 1976, the governor may appoint any secretary, undersecretary, or assistant secretary which he has authority to appoint under the provisions of this Title. After the appointment of the secretary by the governor, the secretary may appoint the deputy secretary and other necessary personnel for his department as he deems necessary. Other appointments authorized by this Title may be made after the effective date of this Part.
B. The officers of the departments designated in R.S. 36:951, except the Department of Health and Human Resources, shall determine a workable transition plan for reorganization and consolidation of such departments in accordance with the provisions of this Title. This plan shall include detailed procedures for such realignment, distribution, assignment, consolidation, and coordination of agencies, powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities within each department, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Title, as they shall determine, and also shall include the procedures for the transfer and utilization of positions, personnel, funds, office space, facilities, and equipment, and such other detail as is necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Title. Such plan shall be completed no later than October 1, 1977. When completed, this plan shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Committee on Reorganization of the Executive Branch. A copy thereof shall be submitted to the governor and to the commissioner of administration. The plan for the Department of Corrections shall be submitted to the joint committee, the governor, and to the commissioner of administration.
C. The Joint Legislative Committee on Reorganization of the Executive Branch shall create a special task force to perform a management and program analysis of the Department of Health and Human Resources, which task force shall prepare a report and recommendations for the implementation plan for the reorganization and consolidation of the department in accordance with the provisions of this Title and shall submit such findings and recommended plan to the Joint Legislative Committee on Reorganization of the Executive Branch at such time as the joint committee shall direct. The task force shall consist of three persons selected by the joint committee and assigned by the Department of Health and Human Resources, five persons employed by the committee, one of whom shall direct the study, and may include a person assigned from the Legislative Fiscal Office. Such other persons may be assigned to the task force in the discretion of the joint committee as may be made available to the joint committee under the provisions of this Title or otherwise. The task force shall be responsible to and shall report directly to the joint committee, through the chairman of the committee. The findings and recommendations of the task force shall serve as a basis for the implementation plan for the department which shall be completed and approved by the committee, with the assistance of the task force. In determining and approving such plan the joint committee shall conduct such hearings and seek such advice, assistance, and information from the Department of Health and Human Resources and other sources as it shall deem appropriate. When completed and approved by the joint committee, the committee shall submit such plan to the governor and the commissioner of administration for their approval. Preparation of such plan and submission thereof shall in no way limit the further study of the department by the task force or the joint committee or further implementation of reorganization and consolidation of the department as provided in this Title, and particularly in Part II of this Chapter.

Legislative History

Acts 1976, No. 513, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 83, §1, eff. June 22, 1977.