EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 96-48

Emergency Response Commission

WHEREAS: the ability to protect the citizens of the State of Louisiana depends, in part, upon the adequacy of local community emergency response plans;

WHEREAS: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C.A. 1101-11050, requires the states to establish and maintain an emergency response commission which has technical expertise in the field of emergency response to notify and protect the public in the event of a release of an extremely hazardous substances into the environment; and

WHEREAS: through the enactment of R.S. 30:2364, the Louisiana Legislature created an Emergency Response Commission within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to (1) establish emergency planning districts; (2) appoint local emergency planning committees; (3) supervise and coordinate the activities of local emergency planning committees; (4) provide the Environmental Protection Agency with information concerning notification received on certain releases of hazardous substances; (5) designate, as necessary, facilities subject to hazardous material reporting procedures; (6) recommend a standardized inventory form for gathering required information and develop reporting procedures which reduce duplication of reporting; (7) recommend, as necessary, additional substances which should be defined as hazardous materials; and (8) act as the central advisory body for coordinating state and federal Right-to-Know activities with regard to hazardous substances;

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

SECTION 1: The Louisiana Emergency Response Commission (hereafter "Commission") shall have 15 members, and shall be composed of the following:

A. the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, or the Deputy Secretary's designee;

B. the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, or the Secretary's designee;

C. the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, Military Department, Office of the Governor, or the Director's designee;

D. a representative of the Right-to-Know Unit, Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police;

E. a representative of the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association;

F. a member of the Louisiana State University Fireman Training Program;

G. a representative of environmental interests;

H. a representative of the chemical industry nominated by the Louisiana Chemical Association; and

I. seven at-large members.

SECTION 2: Members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

SECTION 3: The Commission shall have authority to receive grants, donations, or gifts of money, equipment, supplies, or services from any public or private source to enable it to fulfill the duties and responsibilities specified in Title 30 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended.

SECTION 4: The Governor shall appoint the Chair of the Commission from its membership. The members of the Commission may elect such other officers as it deems necessary.

SECTION 5: The Commission shall meet quarterly and at other times as called by the Chair. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SECTION 6: Members shall serve without compensation, and no member shall receive a per diem or reimbursement of personal expenses from public funds.

SECTION 7: The provisions of this Order are effective upon signature and shall remain 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 the State of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 17th day of October, 1996.

M.J. "Mike" Foster
Governor

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State