§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.

            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.