§ 4:144 — Louisiana State Racing Commission; creation; membership; tenure; powers and

Louisiana § 4:144

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 4: Amusements and Sports

Text

§144. Louisiana State Racing Commission; creation; membership; tenure; powers and
duties; quorum; qualification of members; per diem; expenses and disbursements;
bond; prohibited interest
A. There is hereby created within the office of the governor a racing commission,
to be known as the "Louisiana State Racing Commission". The commission shall have the
powers and duties specified in this Part and all other powers necessary and proper to enable
it to execute fully and effectually all of the objects, purposes, duties, and policies of this Part.
It shall be composed of thirteen members, one person from each congressional district; four
persons, consisting of one member domiciled in each of the following parishes: Calcasieu,
St. Landry, Bossier, and Orleans; and the remaining person or persons from the state at large.
The members shall be appointed by the governor. Each appointment by the governor shall
be submitted to the Senate for confirmation. The governor shall select one member of the
commission to serve as chairman. The commission shall select from among its membership
a vice chairman and a second vice chairman for two-year terms. Each member shall serve
at the pleasure of the governor. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of any business or the exercise of any power.
B.(1) Members shall be residents of Louisiana, over the age of thirty, and shall
possess good moral character. Each shall have resided in Louisiana for at least five years
immediately preceding his appointment.
(2)(a) No member shall be an official, member of any board of directors, or person
financially interested in any race track or race meeting licensed by the commission.
(b) Any member may be an owner of racehorses that participate in any race meeting
licensed by the commission.
(c) Two members may be licensed practicing veterinarians of licensees of the
commission.
(3) The commission shall provide by rule for investigation and resolution of alleged
violation of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection. These rules shall include the suspension of the
board member pending conclusion of the investigation and removal of the member in the
event of a violation. Any member removed as a result of a violation of Paragraph (2) of this
Subsection shall not be eligible for reappointment for a period of five years.
(4) Nothing in this Subsection shall prohibit a member of the Louisiana State Racing
Commission from owning a horse that sired or bred a racehorse that participates in a race
meeting licensed by the commission, or from participating in a breeder or stallion award.
C. Members shall serve without salary but shall receive a per diem at the rate of one
hundred dollars per day while attending official meetings, regular or special, of the
commission called by the chairman, or in his absence, one of the vice chairmen, not to
exceed four thousand dollars per annum. The commission shall reimburse its members and
employees for all travel expenses and disbursements incurred by them in the discharge of
their official duties. They shall give a bond to the governor in the amount of ten thousand
dollars, conditioned that they will faithfully and honestly perform the duties of their office.
The premium for the bond shall be paid by the commission.

Legislative History

Acts 1968, No. 554, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 259, §1; Acts 1977, No. 270, §1, eff. July 7, 1977; Acts 1979, No. 543, §1; Acts 1981, No. 778, §1; eff. July 28, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 786, §1; Acts 1984, No. 750, §1, eff. July 13, 1984; Acts 1985, No. 641, §1, eff. July 16, 1985; Acts 1989, No. 629, §1; Acts 2001, No. 8, §1, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2004, No. 328, §1; Acts 2004, No. 688, §1; Acts 2012, No. 803, §1; Acts 2020, No. 214, §1; Acts 2024, No. 639, §1.