Clarifies the intent of Senate Resolution No. 89 of the 2013 Regular Session in designating the official charged with calling the organizational meeting of the St. Tammany Parish Inspector General Task Force.
Impact
By formally assigning the role of calling the organizational meeting to the parish president, SR193 aims to streamline the initial steps towards establishing the Inspector General Task Force. This task force could have significant implications for local governance by providing a dedicated mechanism for investigating and ensuring the integrity of governmental operations within St. Tammany Parish. The establishment of an inspector general's office typically leads to improved oversight of public funds and operations, potentially reducing fraud or mismanagement within the local government.
Summary
Senate Resolution No. 193, introduced by Senator Crowe, seeks to clarify the intent outlined in Senate Resolution No. 89 from the 2013 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. This bill designates the parish president of the St. Tammany Parish governing authority as the official responsible for calling the organizational meeting of the St. Tammany Parish Inspector General Task Force. This task force was created to explore the possibility of establishing an office of inspector general in the parish, which aims to enhance governmental oversight and accountability.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SR193 appears to be neutral to positive, focusing primarily on improving government processes. Supporters of increased oversight often view the establishment of an inspector general as a necessary step towards transparency and accountability in government. However, the extent of public discussion surrounding the bill is unclear, as it appears primarily to serve a procedural purpose rather than introducing any controversial or significantly transformative elements into local law.
Contention
Notably, there are no significant points of contention emerging from the text of the bill or accompanying discussions. The resolution is straightforward, focusing on administrative clarity without introducing any contentious provisions. However, as with any measures related to governmental oversight and authority, there may be underlying debates about the appropriate level of scrutiny and the resources allocated to such task forces. Concerns may arise in future discussions if the task force is perceived to overreach or if there are disputes about the capabilities and powers of an inspector general.
Establishes the St. Tammany Parish Inspector General Task Force to study the feasibility of creating an office of inspector general for St. Tammany Parish.
Requests the Senate Committee on Natural Resources to study the feasibility of creating a conservation district which includes the parishes of St. Tammany and Washington.
Clarifies legislative intent regarding regulation of public water systems and directs the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to issue rules for drinking water disinfection that comply with Act No. 573 of the 2014 Regular Session
Creates a task force to study the costs of expenses and the utilization of the New Orleans ferries, connecting Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes.
Commends Cindy Baylor, Pamela Penton, and Shannon Landry upon selection as School Support Employees of the Year by the St. Tammany Parish School Board.