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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Heitmeier SB No. 513
Proposed law provides for the creation of the Louisiana Obesity Prevention and Management
Commission (the commission) within the Department of Health and Hospitals.
Proposed law provides the commission with the following functions and duties:
(1)Assisting the executive departments and agencies in achieving programmatic goals.
(2)Assisting in conducting exploratory research as deemed necessary with the intent of
achieving programmatic objectives.
(3)Conducting public meetings to discuss obesity.
(4)Advising and assisting participating agencies with the development and
implementation of obesity programs.
(5)Analyzing what other entities across the state are doing to combat obesity.
(6)Advising the executive departments and agencies as to the implementation of the
commission's recommendations.
Proposed law provides that the commission shall be composed of the following 10 members:
(1)The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, or his designee.
(2)The state superintendent of education, or his designee.
(3)The commissioner of insurance, or his designee.
(4)The president of the Senate, or his designee.
(5)The speaker of the House of Representatives, or his designee
(6)The director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, or his designee.
(7)The director of the Prevention Research Center at Tulane University, or his designee.
(8)Two members from community-based groups elected by the other commission
members at their first meeting.
(9)The director of the Cecil J. Picard Center for Child Development and Lifelong
Learning, or his designee.
Proposed law provides nonlegislative members of the commission shall not be entitled to per
diem or any other compensation for their service but shall be entitled to reimbursement of
any necessary and reasonable expense incurred in the performance of their duties on the
commission, including travel expenses. Furthermore, each legislative member of the
commission shall receive the same per diem and travel reimbursement for attending
meetings of the commission as is normally provided for members of the legislature.
Proposed law provides the commission shall meet at least quarterly.
Proposed law provides the commission shall submit an annual report, including proposed
legislation if necessary, to the governor and to the health and welfare committees of the RDCSB513 2709 5654
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Senate and House of Representatives, 60 days prior to the convening of each regular
legislative session.
Proposed law provides the legislative authority for the existence of the commission shall
cease on March 31, 2016.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 36:259(OO) and R.S. 40:2018.4)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Provides for two members of the commission from community-based groups
elected by the other commission members at their first meeting.
2. Provides for the president of the Senate, or his designee, and the speaker of
the House of Representatives, or his designee, to be members of the
commission.
3. Provides for the first meeting of the commission to be held no later than
August 31, 2014.
4. Changes the reporting requirement of the commission to the legislature to be
no later than sixty days before the convening of the regular session.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
reengrossed bill.
1. Adds the director of the Cecil J. Picard Center for Child Development and
Lifelong Learning, or his designee, as a commission member.