RDCSB317 2697 3614
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)]
SB 317 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Claitor
Present law provides for the La. Public Defender Board, which is comprised of 11 members,
and provides procedures by which a member may be removed for excessive absences.
Present law provides that a member may be removed for excessive absences from meetings
of the board. Present law defines "excessive absences" as missing four duly noticed
meetings within a period of 18 months or three duly noticed meetings within a period of 10
months.
Proposed law changes present law to provide that the board, by a vote of 2/3 of the members,
may expel a member who has accumulated three unexcused absences from board meetings
during a 12-month period.
Present law provides that upon review of board member attendance, if a board member has
been excessively absent from board meetings, the chairman is to inform the board of the
absences and send written notice on behalf of the board to the member requesting that the
member resign his position on the board. Present law further provides that if the member
refuses to resign, the board is to remove the member for excessive absences in accordance
with the provisions of present law.
Proposed law deletes present law.
Present law requires the board to send written notice to the member if that member is
removed as provided by present law and requires the board to notify the appropriate
appointing authority of the vacancy on the board.
Proposed law makes present law applicable to the proposed law removal process and
changes the present law reference from a "removed" member to an "expelled" member.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 15:146(C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary C to the
original bill
1. Changes two additional proposed law board members from the chairmen of
the Senate Committee on Judiciary C and the House Committee on
Administration of Criminal Justice to members appointed by those two
chairmen.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Makes legislative bureau technical change.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice to the reengrossed bill:
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1. Remove proposed law provisions that increased the number of members on the
commission from 11 to 13.
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