The original instrument was prepared by Yolanda Johnson Dixon. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by Ann S. Brown.
DIGEST
Adley (SB 535)
Proposed law creates the director of legislative security as the chief security officer for the
legislature. Provides for the election of the director upon a favorable majority of the elected
members of both houses of the legislature after having been interviewed by the Joint Legislative
Security Council and recommended for employment by the council by a majority vote. Provides
that the director shall serve at the pleasure of the legislature and may be removed by a majority
vote of the elected members of both houses of the legislature. Provides that any vacancy
occasioned by death, resignation, or otherwise which occurs while the legislature is not in
session, be filled on a temporary basis by the Joint Legislative Security Council, until such time
as such vacancy shall be filled by the legislature.
Proposed law provides that the director shall be a graduate of a recognized, accredited college or
university and have 10 years of full-time law enforcement experience or 15 years of full-time law
enforcement experience in lieu of a college degree. Further specifies that he shall be POST-
certified and possess qualifications necessary to be commissioned as a special officer. He shall
not be a member of the legislature.
Proposed law provides that the salary of the director of legislative security be fixed by the Joint
Legislative Security Council. Requires that all other expenses and salaries of the office which
are necessary to carry out his duties be submitted to the Legislative Budgetary Control Council
for approval.
Proposed law provides for the duties of the director. Specifies that the director shall:
(1)Oversee law enforcement and physical security for such parts of the state capitol building
and state capitol complex, that are used by the legislature.
(2)Oversee law enforcement and physical security at any official meeting or function of the
legislature, or its committees, regardless of location.
(3)Develop an annual budget for the operations of the office, subject to approval by the Joint
Legislative Security Council.
(4)Employ security officers and other personnel necessary to ensure the physical security of
the parts of the state capitol building and state capitol complex that are used by the
legislature.
(5)Ensure that security officers are POST-certified and possess qualifications necessary to be commissioned as special officers.
(6)Develop, coordinate and implement security training for security officers.
(7)Coordinate and supervise the scheduling and activities of the security officers.
(8)Respond and act with regard to any security event within his area of jurisdiction.
(9)Conduct investigations and affect lawful searches, seizures, and arrests.
(10)Conduct research, analyze and interpret data, monitor compliance with administrative
rules and regulations, make findings of fact, prepare reports, and recommend legislation,
policies and directives which relate to security.
(11)Act as the legislature's principal point of contact for all law enforcement
recommendations to the legislature.
(12)Develop a comprehensive security plan for the state capitol.
(13)Carry out all directives issued by either legislative house or the committees relative to
security issues.
Proposed law provides that the director shall have offices in the state capitol building sufficient
for the performance of his duties.
Proposed law provides that the director shall be solely responsible to the legislature in his
functions and duties and shall be the lead investigative officer in any security breach or
occurrence in the state capitol building. Specifies that the designation of the director as chief
legislative security officer shall not otherwise affect the duties of the sergeant at arms of the
Senate or the House of Representatives.
Proposed law authorizes the presiding officers of each house to expend any funds available to
either or both of them to supplement the functions of the legislative security director.
Proposed law creates the Joint Legislative Security Council. Provides that the council be
composed of five members from the Senate appointed by the president and five members from
the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker. Authorizes the council to select a
chairman and vice chairman. Provides that the chairmanship and the vice chairmanship rotate
between the Senate and the House of Representatives every two years. Provides that the council
determine the qualifications of the director of legislative security.
Proposed law provides for the duties of the council and specifies that the council be responsible
for adopting a comprehensive security plan for the parts of the state capitol building and state
capitol complex used by the legislature. Requires the council to review and approve the annual
budget for the operations of the director prior to submission of the budget to the Legislative Budgetary Control Council, and to fix the salary of the director.
Proposed law invests the council with the power to hold hearings, administer oaths, take public
testimony and to pursue punishment for contempt as provided by law.
Proposed law authorizes the deputy secretary of public safety services to issue a special officer's
commission to any legislative security officer when directed by the chairman of the Joint
Legislative Security Council. Provides that chairman of the Joint Legislative Security Council
shall determine the eligibility for a special officer's commission rather than the deputy secretary.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 24:671-675, 681-684, and R.S. 40:1379.1(O))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill
1. Removes provision that the director be a graduate of a recognized, accredited
college or university and have 10 years full-time law enforcement experience or
15 years of full-time law enforcement experience in lieu of a college degree.
2. Removes requirement that the director be POST-certified and possess
qualifications necessary to be commissioned as a special officer by the deputy
secretary of public safety services.
3. Provides that the Joint Legislative Security Council shall determine the
qualifications of the director of legislative security.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Replaces the provision regarding the qualification of the director to require that
the director be a graduate of a recognized, accredited college or university having
10 years full-time law enforcement experience or 15 years of full-time law
enforcement experience in lieu of a college degree.
2. Requires that the director be POST-certified and possess qualifications necessary
to be commissioned as a special officer by the deputy secretary of public safety
services, and that he not be a legislator.
3. Removes the provision that the Joint Legislative Security Council shall determine
the qualifications of the director of legislative security. 4. Removes the following powers from the council: subpoena of witnesses and
compelling the production of books, documents, records and papers.
5. Removes provisions with respect to the power and authority to punish for
contempt under the La. Constitution and the provisions of Title 24 of the La.
Revised Statutes of 1950.
6. Makes technical corrections.