§715. Commissioner; qualifications; salary and benefits; restrictions on employment; quarters; supplies; equipment and employees

A. The commissioner shall possess the same qualifications for office as the qualifications of a district judge. However, there shall be no requirement of prior residency within the state or district as a prerequisite to office.

B. The salary of the commissioner, in addition to any supplements or emoluments provided by law, shall be ninety percent of the state-funded portion of the salary paid to a district judge per annum, such salary and related benefits to be payable in the same manner and from the same sources as the salary and benefits of a district judge. The commissioner shall be a member of the State Employees' Retirement System.

C. The commissioner shall not engage in the practice of law and may not engage in any other business, occupation, or employment inconsistent with the expeditious, proper, and impartial performance of his duties as a judicial officer. Any question regarding the propriety of other business, occupation, or employment by the commissioner shall be determined by a majority of the elected judges of the district court.

D. Quarters necessary for the conduct of the office of commissioner shall be provided by the governing authorities of the parishes of Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion, or otherwise provided from funds available to the judges of the Fifteenth Judicial District Court.

E. Equipment, supplies, the salaries and related benefits of employees of the office of commissioner, and the commissioner's expenses as provided for district judges by R.S. 13:694 through 699 inclusive shall be payable by the state or out of funds available to the judges of the Fifteenth Judicial District Court. Funds for such purpose shall be appropriated to the judicial administrator for the Supreme Court of Louisiana. All employees of the office of commissioner shall be hired only upon the prior approval of employment by the elected judges of the court pursuant to adopted rules or the specific order of the court, shall be in the unclassified service of the state, and shall be members of the State Employees' Retirement System.

Acts 1984, No. 713, §1; Acts 1985, No. 278, §1; Acts 1990, No. 271, §1, eff. July 1, 1990; Acts 1995, No. 442, §1; Acts 2001, No. 428, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1990, NO. 271, §2, FOR PAY RAISE IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS.}}