§1493. Louisiana Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Advisory Board; creation and organization

            A. The Louisiana Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Advisory Board is hereby created within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The board shall be domiciled in Baton Rouge.

            B. The board shall consist of fifteen members as follows:

            (1) One member who is engaged in the production of industrial hemp or industrial hemp seed appointed by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.

            (2) One member appointed by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.

            (3) One member appointed by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

            (4) One member appointed by the speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

            (5) One member appointed by the president of the Louisiana Senate.

            (6) One member appointed by the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.

            (7) One member appointed by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development.

            (8) One member appointed by the commissioner who is a licensed grower of industrial hemp.

            (9) One member appointed by the commissioner who is a licensed processor of industrial hemp.

            (10) One member appointed by the commissioner who is a consumer of industrial hemp.

            (11) One member appointed by the commissioner who is a representative of the Louisiana industrial hemp industry.

            (12) One member appointed by the Louisiana Black Farmers Cannabis and Hemp Association.

            (13) One member appointed by the Morehouse Parish Black Farmers and Landowners Association.

            (14) One member appointed by the Louisiana Cannabis Association.

            (15) One member appointed by the Gulf South Hemp Association.

            C. The commissioner, or his designee, shall serve as an ex officio member in an advisory capacity only.

            D. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

            E. Appointments to the board shall be made no later than September 1, 2022. Each appointing authority shall notify the commissioner of the appointment. The board should be representative of the state's population by race and gender to ensure diversity.

            F. A vacancy in the office of a member shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

            G. A majority of the voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the board shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board present and voting.

            H. Members of the board shall receive no compensation.

            I. The board shall meet at least twice per year and may meet at other times on the call of the chairman or any four members.

            J. The board, by a vote of a majority of the members, may expel a member for good cause shown. Good cause shall include but shall not be limited to three consecutive unexcused absences. The expulsion of a member creates a vacancy in the office of the expelled member.

            K. The board shall meet and organize as soon as practicable after appointment of the members and shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary-treasurer from the membership of the board, whose duties shall be those customarily exercised by such officers or specifically designated by the board. Officers shall serve a one-year term.

            Acts 2022, No. 462, §1.