EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 96-44

Drug Control and Violent Crime Policy Board

WHEREAS: incidents of violent crimes and drug abuse are problematic for the State of Louisiana;

WHEREAS: the federal government provides financial assistance to the state to improve the operational effectiveness of their drug and violent crime control efforts; for example, through the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C.A. 13701 et seq., and the Edward Byrne Memorial Formula Grant Program, 42 U.S.C.A. 3751 et seq.; and

WHEREAS: the State of Louisiana utilizes a single coordinating board to administer these federal assistance programs, to serve as a communication forum, and to facilitate the coordination of drug abuse and violent crime projects within the state;

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

SECTION 1: The Louisiana Drug Control and Violent Crime Policy Board (hereafter "Board") is re-established and continued within the Executive Department, Office of the Governor.

SECTION 2: The Board shall consist of 15 members to be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Membership of the Board shall be composed as follows:

A. three sheriffs, one each from the eastern, the western, and the middle areas of the state;

B. three district attorneys, one each from the eastern, the western, and the middle areas of the state;

C. the superintendent of the Department of Public Safety, or the superintendent's designee;

D. the executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, or the executive director's designee;

E. the executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys' Association, or the executive director's designee;

F. three private citizens and/or former members of the state judiciary who are active in community drug control and prevention, one each from the eastern, the western, and the middle areas of the state; and

G. three chiefs of police, one each from the eastern, the western, and the middle areas of the state.

SECTION 3: The Governor shall select the Chair of the Board from its membership.

SECTION 4: The duties and the functions of the Board shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A) to serve as an advisory body to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice;

(B) to develop a statewide Drug Control and Violent Crime Strategy encompassing all components of the criminal justice system; and

(C) to perform any duties and functions requested by the Governor and/or the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice.

SECTION 5: The members of the Board shall not receive compensation, or a per diem for their services or attendance at meetings. In addition, the members shall not be reimbursed for any travel or personal expenses incurred as a result of their performance of board duties.

SECTION 6: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and officers of the state or of any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Board in implementing the provisions of this Order.

SECTION 7: The provisions of this Order shall be effective upon signature of the Governor and shall remain in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the Governor, or until terminated by operation of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 2nd day of October, 1996.

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

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State