ENROLLED
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 23
BY REPRESENTATIVES ORTEGO, BARRAS, BERTHELOT, CHAMPAGNE,
GISCLAIR, GUILLORY, HARRISON, HUVAL, JOHNSON, JONES, LEBAS,
MONTOUCET, SCHEXNAYDER, AND WHI TNEY
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To authorize and direct creation of the Uniform Bilingual Signage and Map Task Force; to
provide for membership, powers, and duties of the task force; to provide for a report
of its business; and to provide for related matters.
WHEREAS, the heritage of Louisiana's French-speaking people is one of the
treasures of the unique and distinctive culture and lifestyle that originated in and have
flourished in the southern region of our state; and
WHEREAS, there are approximately one quarter of a million French-speaking
citizens and a million residents of French-language heritage in Louisiana, and millions of
dollars are spent annually in our state by French-speaking visitors; and
WHEREAS, providing an official state map in the French language and uniform
bilingual highway signage would encourage the preservation of south Louisiana's French
cultural heritage and would provide important services to French-speaking residents and
visitors alike.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
authorize and direct the creation of the Uniform Bilingual Signage and Map Task Force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be authorized and directed
to study, evaluate, analyze, and review all aspects of the feasibility of creating and producing
an official state map of locally recognized names as used by native born Louisianians,
including those of Franco-American, Anglo-Celt, Afro-Americans, and Native American
descent for the use of the general public, tourists, and scholars.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Uniform Bilingual Signage and Map Task
Force is hereby created. The membership of the task force shall be as follows: ENROLLEDHCR NO. 23
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(1) The secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development or his
designee.
(2) A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(3) A member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.
(4) The lieutenant governor or his designee.
(5) Seven people appointed by the Council for the Development of French in
Louisiana (CODOFIL).
(6) One member representing each of the metropolitan planning organizations in the
state, to be selected by each of the respective organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the terms of the members shall commence on
August 1, 2012, and shall terminate on March 1, 2013.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the initial meeting of the task force shall be
convened no later than August 1, 2012, by the secretary of the Department of Transportation
and Development. At such initial meeting, the members of the task force shall select from
among its membership a chair and such other officers as it deems necessary. The task force
shall provide for the manner and frequency of meetings that will be conducted and for all
other ancillary administrative matters which must be determined in order to function as a
task force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve at the
pleasure of the appointing authority, and vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment. Task force members shall not receive compensation or a per diem for
serving on the task force; however, legislative members of the task force shall receive the
same per diem and travel allowance as is normally provided for meetings of legislative
committees, payable out of funds appropriated for expenses of the legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be authorized and directed
to study, evaluate, analyze, and review all aspects of the feasibility of creating and producing
an official state map in the French language and uniform bilingual highway signage,
including but not limited to safety issues, ease of direction, tourism aid, potential sources of
revenue for the production of such maps and bilingual signage, and for the future
maintenance of such maps and signage. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 23
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Uniform Bilingual Signage and Map Task
Force shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the House and
Senate committees on transportation, highways, and public works no later than March 1,
2013, and such task force shall officially terminate upon submission of the report.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, the speaker of the House
of Representatives, the president of the Senate, the lieutenant governor, and the Council for
the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL).
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE