§627. Assistant commissioners

A. In addition to the office of management and finance, each other office within the Department of Agriculture and Forestry shall be under the immediate supervision and direction of an assistant commissioner. The assistant commissioner of each such office, except the office of forestry and the office of soil and water conservation, shall be appointed by the commissioner with the consent of the Senate. The state forester shall serve as the assistant commissioner for the office of forestry. The director of the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission shall serve as the assistant commissioner for the office of soil and water conservation. Each assistant commissioner, except the assistant commissioner for the office of forestry and the assistant commissioner for the office of soil and water conservation, shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. Each assistant commissioner shall be paid a salary which shall be fixed by the commissioner and which shall not exceed the amount approved for such position by the legislature while in session. The state forester shall be selected as provided by law and with the consent of the Senate. The director of the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission shall be selected as provided by law.

B. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Title, the duties and functions of each office and its assistant commissioner shall be determined by the commissioner, and all of such duties and functions shall be exercised under the direct supervision and control of the commissioner of agriculture.

C. Except as otherwise provided in R.S. 36:801, each assistant commissioner shall employ, appoint, remove, assign, and promote such personnel as is necessary for the efficient administration of his office and its programs and the performance of its powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities, in accordance with applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and with policies and rules of the department, all subject to budgetary control and applicable laws.

D. Each assistant commissioner shall exercise all powers and authority granted to him in this Title subject to the overall direction and control of the commissioner of agriculture.

E. Repealed by Acts 2009, No. 24, §7, eff. June 12, 2009.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 83, §1, eff. June 22, 1977. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 497, §1; Acts 1981, No. 158, §2; Acts 1986, No. 581, §2, eff. July 2, 1986; Acts 1988, No. 91, §1; Acts 2008, No. 920, §4, eff. July 14, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 24, §7, eff. June 12, 2009.