§1515. Board of Veterinary Medicine; terms; compensation; removal

A.(1) There is created within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry a board to be known as the Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine which is subject to the provisions of R.S. 36:803.

(2) The board shall be composed of five members appointed by the governor, each appointed for a term of five years or until his successor is appointed, except that, as provided by rule, the terms of the initial and subsequent members shall be staggered terms of five years. Terms shall begin on August first and terminate on July thirtieth of the fifth year of the term. Should the signing of an appointment by the governor be delayed for any reason, the term itself shall not be changed but shall begin on August first and end on July thirtieth. The outgoing member shall remain on the board until such time as the incoming member's appointment has been effected.

(3) Whenever a vacancy occurs under this Section, the State Veterinary Medical Association shall nominate three or more qualified persons for each vacancy and forward the nominations to the governor at least thirty days before the date set for the appointment. The governor shall appoint one of the persons so nominated to fill the vacancy. Vacancies due to death, resignation, or removal shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as regular appointments.

(4) No person shall serve two consecutive five-year terms, except that a person appointed for or serving a term of less than five years may succeed himself.

B. A person shall be qualified to serve as a member of the board if he is a graduate of a veterinary school, a resident of this state, and has been licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state for the five years immediately preceding the time of his appointment. No person may serve on the board who is or was during the two years immediately preceding his appointment, a member of the faculty, trustee or advisory board of a veterinary school.

C. Each member of the board shall be paid seventy-five dollars per day for each day or substantial portion thereof while he is engaged in the work of the board, and may be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses approved by the board in connection therewith, the provisions of R.S. 39:231 notwithstanding.

D. Any member of the board may be removed by the governor after a hearing by the board to determine the cause for removal.

E. The board shall meet at least once each year at the time and place fixed by rule of the board. Other necessary meetings may be called by the president of the board by giving notice as may be required by rule. Except as may otherwise be provided, a majority of the board constitutes a quorum. Meetings shall be open to the public, except that the board may meet in closed session to prepare, approve, administer or grade examinations, or to deliberate the qualification of an applicant for license or the disposition of a proceeding to discipline a licensed veterinarian.

Acts 1966, No. 35, §1, eff. July 1, 1967. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 684, §22; Acts 1986, No. 467, §1; Acts 1991, No. 376, §1; Acts 1995, No. 73, §1; Acts 2018, No. 515, §2.