LAC 46:XL.105. Officers; Election; Secretary-Treasurer; Chief Operating Officer; Board Staff; Duties

A. Officers shall be elected by the board at the last meeting of the preceding year, shall serve a term of one year and may be reelected for additional terms. Officers may be reelected for additional terms. The board shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman. B. The board shall employ a secretary-treasurer who shall not be a member of the board to serve as the chief operating officer (COO) of the board. The COO shall employ other staff as reasonably necessary with approval of the board, and subject to budgetary limitations. In the absence of a contrary board pronouncement, the COO shall serve as the board's appointing authority. 1. The COO shall be the custodian of all documents, filings and records of the board, and may issue process in the board's name. 2. The COO shall be responsible for the day to day operations of the board office and shall prepare and submit a budget for the board's consideration and approval. 3. The COO may have other duties and responsibilities as conferred by the board. 4. The board shall fix the COO's compensation. C. The chairman shall preside at all meetings, approve the agenda and shall be the official custodian of all records. D. The board shall be represented by the attorney general’s office. In lieu of available representation from the attorney general, the board may retain qualified counsel of its choice as according to law and at fees no higher than the schedule provided by the attorney general for special assistant attorneys general. An attorney is qualified if a reasonable portion of their practice and experience is obtained from or devoted to administrative agency practice and procedure or civil litigation. In the event the board needs counsel on a specific area of expertise, an attorney may be retained for that purpose.