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            A. The Livestock Brand Commission is hereby created within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Notwithstanding any provision of this Part or of any other law to the contrary, the commission shall exercise and perform its powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities as provided by La. Rev. Stat. 36:629(C). The commission shall be domiciled in Baton Rouge.

            B.(1) The commission shall be comprised of nine members appointed by the commissioner as follows:

            (a) One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association.

            (b) One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.

            (c) One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.

            (d) One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association.

            (e) Two members appointed from the state at large, one of whom shall be appointed from the northern portion of the state and one of whom shall be appointed from the southern portion of the state.

            (f) One member appointed from the state at large, who shall be an operator of a Louisiana livestock market.

            (g) One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Landowners Association.

            (h) One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Louisiana Forestry Association.

            (i) The commissioner of agriculture and forestry, or his designee, shall serve as an ex officio member with the same rights, powers, and privileges as the other members.

            (j) At the same time, in the same manner, and for the same term as provided for the appointment of the nine appointed members, the commissioner shall appoint one alternate for each member who shall be appointed from the same list of nominations submitted by the respective organizations. At large alternates shall possess the same qualifications as the member for whom he is appointed as an alternate. When, for any reason, a member is unable to be present at any meeting of the board, the alternate shall serve in his place and shall exercise all of the powers vested by law in the member, including the right to vote.

            (2) Each appointed member, except the members appointed from nominations by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and the Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association, shall be engaged in the production or marketing of livestock, or shall be a veterinarian specializing in the treatment of large animals.

            (3) Each appointment by the commissioner shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

            C. The appointed members shall serve for a term of four years which shall expire with the term of the commissioner making the appointment. Vacancies on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made within ninety days of the date the vacancy occurred and shall be for the unexpired portion of the term of the office vacated.

            D. The commission shall meet annually or upon the call of the chairman.

            E. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be required to transact any official business of the commission. Each member shall take and subscribe to the oath of office prescribed for state officers. Members of the commission shall not receive any salary for their duties as members. The appointed members may receive a per diem for each day spent in actual attendance of meetings of the commission or of duly appointed committees or subcommittees of the commission. The amount of the per diem shall be fixed by the commission in an amount not to exceed forty dollars. The appointed members may receive a mileage allowance for mileage traveled in attending meetings. The mileage allowance shall be fixed by the commission in an amount not to exceed the rate for state employees.

            F. The commission, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, may adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of this Part.

            G. The commission may enter into such contracts and agreements as are necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of this Part.

            H. The commission, by a vote of two-thirds of the appointed members, may expel a member who has three consecutive unexcused absences from commission meetings.

            Amended by Acts 1952, No. 272, §1; Acts 1982, No. 113, §1; Acts 1993, No. 293, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1995, No. 546, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2008, No. 920, §1, eff. July 14, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 495, §1, eff. June 24, 2010; Acts 2020, No. 306, §1, eff. June 12, 2020; Acts 2021, No. 20, §1.