§1604. Boll Weevil Eradication Commission

            A. In accordance with R.S. 36:901, the Boll Weevil Eradication Commission is hereby created within and is transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and shall consist of eight members as follows:

            (1) Two cotton producers appointed by the commissioner from a list of six persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.

            (2) Two cotton producers appointed by the commissioner from a list of six persons nominated by the Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association.

            (3) One cotton producer to be appointed by the commissioner from a list of nominees submitted by the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development and a list of nominees submitted by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development.

            (4) The Louisiana State University Vice President for Agriculture, or his designee, who shall serve as an ex officio member in an advisory capacity.

            (5) A member of the Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association selected by the executive board of the association, who shall serve as an ex officio member in an advisory capacity.

            (6) The commissioner, or his designee, who shall serve as an ex officio member and shall have all of the same rights and responsibilities as the appointed members.

            B. The commissioner shall appoint an alternate member for each member he appoints. The alternate member shall be appointed from the same list of nominees and in the same manner as the appointed member. Any designee or alternate who attends a meeting as a representative of a member shall have the same rights, powers, and privileges, including voting rights, as the member he represents.

            C. In the event that any cotton producer member of the commission ceases to be a cotton producer, that member shall not be eligible to continue membership on the commission, and his alternate member shall fill the member's vacancy, on an interim basis, until such time as the vacancy is filled as provided in Subsection G of this Section.

            D. Each appointment by the commissioner shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

            E. Members shall serve terms concurrent with the commissioner making the appointment. The organizations authorized to make nominations for appointment to the commission shall file the initial list of nominees for appointment within thirty days after August 21, 1992. Thereafter, each organization shall file a list of nominees with the commissioner no later than June thirtieth of the year of the governor's inauguration.

            F. The commissioner shall make all appointments no later than thirty days following the last day for submission of lists of nominees.

            G. Whenever a vacancy of a member or alternate member occurs, the organization authorized to make nominations for appointment to the vacant position shall submit another list of nominees to the commissioner within thirty days of receipt of notice of the vacancy, and the commissioner shall appoint a nominee from the list to fill the vacancy of the member or alternate member. In the event of any failure to submit a list of nominees, the commissioner shall submit a person of his choice to the Senate for confirmation.

            H. All books and records of account and minutes of proceedings of the commission shall be available for inspection and audit by the legislative auditor at any reasonable time.

            I. The commissioner, upon recommendation of the commission, may appoint, subject to Senate confirmation, a director who shall be in the unclassified service of the state. The commissioner may employ all personnel necessary for the efficient and proper administration of this Part.

            J. Members or alternate members of the commission shall not receive any salary or per diem for performing their duties as members. Members may receive a mileage allowance for mileage traveled in attending meetings, at a rate not to exceed that paid to state employees.

            Acts 1992, No. 58, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 124, §1; Acts 2003, No. 116, §1, eff. May 28, 2003; Acts 2008, No. 64, §1, eff. June 5, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 495, §1, eff. June 24, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 310, §1, eff. May 25, 2012; Acts 2019, No. 185, §1, eff. June 11, 2019.