PART III. POWERS
§541. General power; secretary; requirements
To accomplish the purposes of this Chapter, the secretary is authorized to:
(1) Employ such officers, agents, employees, and professional personnel, including
legal counsel, as he deems necessary for the performance of his powers and duties and
prescribe the powers and duties and fix the compensation of such officers, agents, employees,
and professional personnel.
(2) Contract, upon such terms as he may agree upon, for legal, financial, engineering,
and other professional services necessary or expedient in the conduct of the affairs of the
department under the provisions of this Chapter; however, counsel retained by the secretary
to represent the interests of the state before the congress and the federal energy agencies and
to advise the secretary regarding the same shall not be deemed to be a public employee
within the meaning of Chapter 15 of Title 42 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.
(3) Utilize the services of the other executive departments of the state upon mutually
agreeable terms and conditions.
(4) Receive, by gift, grant, donation, or otherwise, any sum of money, aid, or
assistance from any person or the United States, its agencies, the state of Louisiana, or any
political subdivision thereof.
(5) Do any and all things necessary or proper for the development, regulation, and
accomplishment of the purposes of this Chapter.
(6) Repealed by Acts 1979, No. 449, §5, eff. Jan. 1, 1980.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.
Amended by Acts 1977, No. 482, §1, eff. July 13, 1977; Acts 1985, No. 1015, §1, eff. July
24, 1985; Acts 2025, No. 458, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.