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Regular Session, 2010
SENATE BILL NO. 743
BY SENATOR BROOME
CIVIC EDUCATION. Provides for the selection process for certain members, terms, and
vacancies on the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, and for the submission of an annual
report. (8/15/10)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 24:973.1(B)(1) and (2), (D), and (E)(5), relative to the2
Legislative Youth Advisory Council; to provide for membership and terms; to3
provide for the selection of members nominated for membership by certain school4
clubs and community organizations; to provide relative to the selection process; to5
provide for submission of an annual report; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 24:973.1(B)(1) and (2), (D), and (E)(5) are hereby amended and8
reenacted to read as follows: 9
ยง973.1. Legislative Youth Advisory Council; purpose, membership, duties,10
administration, report, student privacy11
* * *12
B. Membership. (1) The council shall consist of the following youth13
members:14
(a)(i) Members appointed by the commission to represent youth within a15
congressional district. Two youth members shall be appointed by the Louisiana16
Commission on Civic Education from each congressional district in a manner which17 SB NO. 743
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reflects the diversity of the state to the greatest extent practicable pursuant to an1
application process as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection. Youth2
members shall possess the qualifications as provided in Subsection C of this Section.3
(ii) The commission shall select members to the council pursuant to this4
Subparagraph from among youths recommended by any school administrator,5
teacher, or representative of an approved home study program or a general education6
development skills program.7
(iii) In the event two qualified applicants cannot be found to represent8
a particular congressional district, in lieu of directly filling any such vacancy,9
the commission may select a qualified applicant from among youths nominated10
by a school club or community organization, as provided in Subparagraph (b)11
of this Paragraph, to serve as an at-large member in order to ensure full12
membership on the council.13
(b)(i) Members nominated by certain school or clubs and community14
organizations. Up to seven youths may serve as members nominated by a state level,15
school-sponsored club or community service club or organization which has a16
mission that supports the ideals of character, leadership, and service; encourages17
mutual respect and instills civic responsibility; builds courage and confidence among18
young people through community participation; or promotes the principles of19
representative democracy, in an effort to build stronger communities by increasing20
civic engagement among youth.21
(ii) If the number of clubs or organizations eligible for and making a request22
to participate exceeds seven, the initial members shall be determined by lot.23
Following the initial appointments to the council, the membership shall rotate24
annually among the eligible clubs or organizations selected in the same manner25
and pursuant to the application process, specified in Paragraph (2) of this26
Subsection, as provided for the selection of other members by the commission.27
(iii) Any state level club or organization that meets the qualifications of this28
Subparagraph may submit one name to the commission , along with a letter of29 SB NO. 743
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recommendation from an adult representative of the club or organization from1
which the youth is nominated and a letter of recommendation from a school2
administrator, teacher, or representative of an approved home study program3
or general education development skills program.4
(2) The application form and process for membership on the council shall5
be developed and approved by the commission.6
* * *7
D. Terms of office. (1) Members appointed by the commission pursuant to8
Subparagraph (B)(1)(a) of this Section shall serve a two-year term of one year and9
may be reappointed for a subsequent term, provided that they are eligible at the time10
of reappointment. However, no member of the council shall serve more than two11
consecutive terms.12
(2) A member representing an eligible club or organization pursuant to13
Subparagraph (B)(1)(b) of this Section shall serve a term of one year.14
E. Duties. The council shall have the following duties and responsibilities:15
* * *16
(5) To submit an annual report by February fifteenth May thirtieth of each17
year of its activities, including any recommendations for proposed legislation, to the18
governor, the Senate and House committees on education, and the commission.19
* * *20
Section 2. The provisions of this Act shall be effective for the members appointed21
to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council beginning with the 2010-2011 term.22
Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not23
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature24
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If25
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become26
effective on the day following such approval.27 SB NO. 743
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Sherri H. Breaux.
DIGEST
Broome (SB 743)
Present law establishes the Legislative Youth Advisory Council and requires that each
member of the council be a student attending a La. high school or BESE-approved home
study who is 14 to 19 years old, or a student of the same age participating in a GED skills
program.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides for membership to consist of 21 youth members as follows:
(1)Members appointed by the Commission on Civic Education: two youth members
from each congressional district (14 members) in a manner which reflects the
diversity of the state to the greatest extent practicable. Requires recommendation by
a school administrator, teacher, or representative of an approved home study
program or a GED skills program.
(2)Members nominated by certain school or community organizations: up to seven
youths may serve as members nominated by a state level, school-sponsored or
community service club or organization which has a civic mission. Provides that if
the number of eligible clubs or organizations making a request to participate exceeds
seven, the membership will rotate annually among the eligible clubs or organizations
making application.
Proposed law retains the membership specified in present law but, in addition, provides that
in the event two qualified applicants cannot be found to represent a particular congressional
district, in lieu of directly filling any such vacancy, the commission may select a qualified
applicant from among youths nominated by a school club or community organization to
serve as an "at-large" member in order to ensure full membership on the council.
Proposed law also changes the process by which members are selected from those youths
nominated by a school club or community organization with civic mission. Removes the
process for selection determined by an annual rotation of organizations and instead provides
for such nominees to be subject to the same application and selection process as other youth
members, as approved by the commission.
Proposed law further eliminates the requirement that the club or organization be a state level
organization to also allow local community organizations meeting the criteria to nominate
youth for membership. Requires a letter of recommendation from an adult representative of
the club or organization from which the youth is nominated and from a school administrator,
teacher, or representative of a BESE-approved home study program or GED skills program.
Present law provides that members appointed by the commission to represent youth from
among their congressional serve terms of two years and may be reappointed for a subsequent
term provided that they are eligible at the time of reappointment. Provides for members
representing an eligible club or organization serve terms of one year.
Proposed law, instead, provides that all members serve a term of one year; however,
provides for no member of the council to serve more than two consecutive terms.
Present law provides the application form for membership on the council shall be developed
by the commission. SB NO. 743
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Proposed law retains present law and further specifies that the application process for
membership be developed and approved by the commission.
Present law requires the submission of an annual report by February 15
th
of each year of its
activities to the governor, the Senate and House committees on education, and the
commission.
Proposed law instead requires the annual report by May 30
th
of each year.
Provides for effectiveness for members appointed for the 2010-2011 term.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 24:973.1(B)(1) and (2), (D), and (E)(5))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill.
1. Provides for all members to serve terms of one year and limits membership
to no more than two consecutive terms.
2. Allows for the appointment of an "at-large" member representing a civic club
or organization to fill a vacancy if two qualified applicants cannot be found
to represent a particular district.
3. Provides effectiveness beginning with the appointments for the 2010-2011
term.
4. Adds effective date of governor's signature.