The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Matt DeVille.
DIGEST
SB 490 Original 2022 Regular Session Cortez
Proposed law creates the director of capitol 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 each
house of the legislature after having been interviewed by the Capitol 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 each house of the legislature. Provides that any vacancy which occurs while the
legislature is not in session shall be filled temporarily by the president of the Senate and the speaker
of the House of Representatives, until such time as the vacancy is filled by the legislature.
Proposed law provides that the director shall have 10 years of full-time law enforcement experience,
shall be POST-certified, and shall 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 shall be recommended by the Capitol Security
Council. Requires all other necessary expenses and salaries of the council to be submitted to the
president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives for approval.
Proposed law provides for the duties of the director. Specifies that the director shall:
(1)Oversee law enforcement and physical security for the 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 council.
(4)Recommend employment for 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 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 offices of the director shall be domiciled in the state capitol complex.
Proposed law provides that the director shall be responsible solely 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 capitol security officer shall
not otherwise affect the duties of the sergeant-at-arms of the Senate or the House of Representatives.
Proposed law creates the Capitol Security Council composed of the president of the Senate, four
members from the Senate appointed by the president, the speaker of the House of Representatives,
and four members from the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker. Authorizes the
presiding officers of each house of the legislature 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 determines the qualifications of the
director of capitol security.
Proposed law provides for the duties of the council and specifies that the council is 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 president and speaker 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 pursue punishment for contempt as provided by law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 24:681-685 and 691-693)