LAC 67:VII.527. The Louisiana Blind Vendor’s Elected Committee

A. Authority for Establishing the Louisiana Blind Vendor’s Elected Committee (LBVEC) is found in Section 107-B1, commonly referred to as the Randolph-Sheppard Act. B. Paragraphs 527.B.1-2 provide guidance in approaching the degree of participation by the LBVEC. 1. Active Participation means an ongoing process of good faith negotiations between the LBVEC and SLA to achieve joint planning and approval of policies, procedures, standards, rules and regulations affecting the overall operation of the BEP prior to implementation by the SLA. Active participation shall include the requirements set forth in, but is not limited to, 34 CFR 395.14(b)(1), (3), and (4) and TAC 21-01. 2. The SLA shall have final authority and responsibility in all decisions relative to the administration and operation of all aspects of the BEP. C. Functions of the LBVEC include: 1. to actively participate with the SLA in the major administrative, policy, and program development decisions affecting the overall administration of the BEP; 2. to receive and transmit to the SLA grievances at the request of licensed managers and to serve as advocates for such managers in connection with such grievances; 3. to actively participate with the SLA in the development and administration of a state system for the transfer and promotion of licensed managers; 4. to actively participate with the SLA in developing training and retraining programs for licensed managers; 5. to sponsor, with the assistance of the SLA, meetings and instructional conferences for licensed managers; 6. to actively participate in setting out the method of determining the set aside assessment for each of the purposes listed below: a. maintenance and replacement of equipment; b. the purchase of new equipment; c. management services; d. assuring a fair minimum of return to licensed managers; or e. the establishment and maintenance of retirement or pension funds, health insurance contributions, and provisions for paid sick leave and vacation time, it is so determined by a majority vote of licensed managers, after the SLA provides to each licensed manager information on all matters relevant to such proposed purposes. [34 CFR 395.9(b) and (c)] D. The LBVEC will be composed of licensed managers in the program based on such factors as geography and business enterprise type with a goal of providing for proportional representation of licensed managers on federal property and other property. There will be an executive committee with their duties and terms of office specified in the by-laws of the LBVEC. E. The SLA shall provide for the biennial election of a LBVEC, which shall be fully representative of all licensed managers in the state program. (34 CFR 395.14).