EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 00-30

EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 00-30

Governor's Board On Military Issues

WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has a vital interest in the installations and/or units of the armed forces of the United States located within the state, in the Louisiana Military Department, and in the concerns of the military personnel, active, reserve, veteran, and/or retired, and their families who reside in Louisiana (hereafter "military");

WHEREAS, the Governor's Military Advisory Commission, recreated by Executive Order No. MJF 96-12, issued on May 22, 1996, (hereafter "commission") was created to serve as a coordinating body and a forum for the military regarding state government related issues and to act as a liaison between the military and civilians regarding local government, private business, and civilian concerns; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of the state of Louisiana to abolish the commission by rescinding Executive Order No. MJF 96-12, and replace it with a board assigned expanded duties and objectives;

NOW THEREFORE, I, M.J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: The Governor's Board on Military Issues (hereafter "Board") is established within the executive department, Office of the Governor.

SECTION 2: The duties and objectives of the Board include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1. Providing a public forum for issues related to the installations and/or units of the armed forces of the United States located within the state, the Louisiana Military Department, and/or the active, reserve, veteran, and/or retired military personnel and their families who reside in Louisiana (hereafter "the military");

2. Enhancing coordination, communication, cooperation, and understanding between the military, the Louisiana Congressional Delegation, the communities in the state interfacing with the military, and/or state and local government agencies;

3. Strengthening and/or increasing the state of Louisiana's role in securing defense related business contracts for Louisiana businesses and/or selling Louisiana products to the installations and/or units of the armed forces of the United States located in the state;

4. Proposing ways to increase and/or strengthen the presence of the armed forces of the United States located within the state;

5. Reviewing and/or disseminating information about proposed legislation related to and/or directly impacting on the military and/or military communities within the state;

6. Proposing and/or sponsoring activities, legislation, initiatives, programs, and/or projects which increase, support, and/or enhance the military's presence in the state and/or which enhance and/or improve the quality of life for the active, reserve, veteran, and/or retired military personnel and their families who reside in the state;

7. Sponsoring Louisiana Department of Military and/or United States Department of Defense initiatives which are mutually beneficial to state and federal interests; and

8. Coordinating the prevention of base realignments and/or closures in the state.

 SECTION 3: The Board shall submit semi-annual reports to the governor, on January 1st and July 1st, regarding the status of and/or progress achieved on the issues addressed in Section 2 of this Order.

SECTION 4:

A. The Board shall be composed of a maximum of twenty-two (22) members.

B. The Board shall be composed of the following ex- officio voting members:

1. The adjutant general of Louisiana, or the adjutant general's designee;

2. The president of the Louisiana Senate, or the president's designee;

3. The speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, or the speaker's designee;

4. The executive director of the Office of Community Programs, Office of the Governor, or the executive director's designee;

5. The executive director of the Office of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Governor, or the executive director's designee; and

6. The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or the secretary's designee.

 C. The Board shall also be composed of the following voting members, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor, selected as follows:

1. Three (3) representatives of local governments and/or communities located in the vicinity of an installation or unit of the armed forces of the United States;

2. Six (6) representatives of Louisiana businesses, farmers, and/or industries; and

3. Two (2) retired military personnel.

 D. The Board shall also be composed of the following ex-officio non-voting members:

1. The senior active duty officer of the United States Army stationed in the state of Louisiana, or the senior officer's designee;

2. The senior active duty officer of the United States Air Force stationed in the state of Louisiana, or the senior officer's designee;

3. The senior officer of the United States Navy Reserve stationed in the state of Louisiana, or the senior officer's designee;

4. The senior officer of the United States Marines Reserve stationed in the state of Louisiana, or the senior officer's designee; and

5. The senior officer of the United States Coast Guard stationed in the state of Louisiana, or the senior officer's designee.

 E. The Board may create subcommittees composed of Board members, non-Board members, and/or both Board members and non-Board members, which meet in accordance with the open meetings law, R.S. 42:4.1-13.

 SECTION 5: The Governor shall appoint the chair of the Board from its membership. All other officers shall be elected by the membership of the Board.

SECTION 6: The Board shall meet at regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, and at the call of the chair.

SECTION 7: Support staff for the Board and facilities for its meetings shall be provided by the Louisiana Department of the Military.

SECTION 8: Board members shall not receive additional compensation, a per diem, or travel expenses from the Office of the Governor for their service on the Board.

SECTION 9: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and officers of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Board in implementing the provisions of this Order.

SECTION 10: Executive Order No. MJF 96-12, signed on May 22, 1996, is terminated and rescinded.

SECTION 11: This Order is effective upon signature and shall continue in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the governor, or terminated by operation of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 1st day of September, 2000.

M.J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Governor

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State