Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act

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The Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act is the law governing procedures for state administrative agencies to propose and issue regulations and provides for judicial review of agency adjudications and other final decisions in Louisiana. It can be found in Title 49, Chapter 13 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.^[1]

§950: Title and form of citation

Text of §950:

This Chapter shall be known as the Administrative Procedure Act and may be cited as the Administrative Procedure Act.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 129, §1.^[1]

§951: Definitions

Text of §951:

Definitions

As used in this Chapter:

(1) "Adjudication" means agency process for the formulation of a decision or order.

(2) "Adopt", "adopted", or "adoption", when pertaining to a fee in this Chapter, shall include action proposed by an agency to adopt, apply, assess, charge, implement, levy, or otherwise collect a fee pursuant to authorization by law that the agency may adopt, apply, assess, charge, implement, levy or otherwise collect such fee.

(3) "Agency" means each state board, commission, department, agency, officer, or other entity which makes rules, regulations, or policy, or formulates, or issues decisions or orders pursuant to, or as directed by, or in implementation of the constitution or laws of the United States or the constitution and statutes of Louisiana, except the legislature or any branch, committee, or officer thereof, any political subdivision, as defined in Article VI, Section 44 of the Constitution of Louisiana, and any board, commission, department, agency, officer, or other entity thereof, and the courts.

(4) "Decision" or "order" means the whole or any part of the final disposition (whether affirmative, negative, injunctive, or declaratory in form) of any agency, in any matter other than rulemaking, required by constitution or statute to be determined on the record after notice and opportunity for an agency hearing, and including non-revenue licensing, when the grant, denial, or renewal of a license is required by constitution or statute to be preceded by notice and opportunity for hearing.

(5) "Party" means each person or agency named or admitted as a party, or properly seeking and entitled as of right to be admitted as a party.

(6) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental subdivision, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency, except that an agency is a "person" for the purpose of appealing an administrative ruling in a disciplinary action brought pursuant to Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 prior to the final adjudication of such disciplinary action.

(7) "Preamble" means a brief explanation of the basis and rationale for the intended administrative rulemaking action including a summary of the information and data supporting the intended action.

(8) "Rule" means each agency statement, guide, or requirement for conduct or action, exclusive of those regulating only the internal management of the agency and those purporting to adopt, increase, or decrease any fees imposed on the affairs, actions, or persons regulated by the agency, which has general applicability and the effect of implementing or interpreting substantive law or policy, or which prescribes the procedure or practice requirements of the agency. "Rule" includes, but is not limited to, any provision for fines, prices or penalties, the attainment or loss of preferential status, and the criteria or qualifications for licensure or certification by an agency. A rule may be of general applicability even though it may not apply to the entire state, provided its form is general and it is capable of being applied to every member of an identifiable class. The term includes the amendment or repeal of an existing rule but does not include declaratory rulings or orders or any fees.

(9) "Rulemaking" means the process employed by an agency for the formulation of a rule. Except where the context clearly provides otherwise, the procedures for adoption of rules and of emergency rules as provided in R.S. 49:961 shall also apply to adoption, increase, or decrease of fees. The fact that a statement of policy or an interpretation of a statute is made in the decision of a case or in an agency decision upon or disposition of a particular matter as applied to a specific set of facts involved does not render the same a rule within this definition or constitute specific adoption thereof by the agency so as to be required to be issued and filed as provided in this Subsection.

Acts 1995, No. 1057, §1, eff. June 29, 1995 and Jan. 8, 1996 (1/8/96 date applicable to Dept. of Health and Hospitals only); Acts 1997, No. 1224, §1; Acts 2010, No. 775, §1, eff. June 30, 2010; Acts 2021, No. 211, §11; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

§954: Exemptions from provisions of Chapter

Text of §954:

Exemptions from provisions of Chapter

A. This Chapter shall not be applicable to the Board of Tax Appeals, the Department of Revenue, with the exception of the Louisiana Tax Commission that shall continue to be governed by this Chapter in its entirety, unless otherwise specifically provided by law, and the administrator of the Louisiana Employment Security Law; however, the provisions of R.S. 49:951(2), (4), (5), (6), and (7), 953, 956, 961, 965, 966, 969, and 970 shall be applicable to the board, department, and administrator.

B.

(1) The provisions of R.S. 49:966(F) and 970 shall not be applicable to any rule promulgated by the State Civil Service Commission or the Public Service Commission.

(2) The provisions of this Chapter shall not be applicable to entities created as provided in Part V of Chapter 6 of Title 34 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

C. The provisions of R.S. 49:968, 978.2, and 979 shall not be applicable to any rule, regulation, or order of any agency subject to a right of review under the provisions of R.S. 30:12.

D. The provisions of R.S. 49:968, 978.2, and 979 shall not apply to any rule, regulation, or policy and procedure statements issued by or for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, corrections services, concerning:

(1) The internal management and daily operations of a correctional institute, probation and parole district office, or headquarters function.

(2) General law statements that are substantially repetitions of state or federal law.

(3) The implementation and processes for carrying out a court-ordered sentence of death and any and all matters related to the regulations for the sentence of death.

E. The provisions of R.S. 49:968, 978.2, and 979 shall apply only to the regulations and policies of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, corrections services, that affect the substantial rights of, or administrative remedies available to, the public or any offender incarcerated in a state correctional facility or local jail facility.

Acts 1983, No. 409, §2. Acts 1984, No. 244, §1; Acts 1985, No. 869, §1, eff. July 23, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 494, §1; Acts 1990, No. 248, §1; Acts 1992, No. 53, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1172, §9, eff. June 30, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 1484, §1, eff. July 16, 1997; Acts 2010, No. 777, §3; Acts 2010, No. 889, §2; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:967.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:954 redesignated as R.S. 49:965 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[2]

§954.1: Louisiana Administrative Code and Louisiana Register, publication, distribution, copies, index, interagency rules

Text of §954.1:

§954.1. Redesignated as R.S. 49:953 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§954.3. Environmental Regulatory Code

Text of §954.3:

§954.3. Redesignated as R.S. 49:963.1 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§955: Application of Chapter to rules and fees

Text of §955:

A.

(1) The legislature recognizes that it is essential to the operation of a democratic government that prior to the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule or the adoption, increasing, or decreasing of any fee, that the provisions of this Chapter be followed, except as otherwise specifically excepted, exempted, or limited by law.

(2) The legislature further recognizes that it is essential to the operation of a democratic government that the people be made aware of all exceptions, exemptions, and limitations to this Chapter. In order to foster the people's awareness, the legislature declares that all exceptions, exemptions, and limitations to this Chapter pertaining to the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule or the adoption, increasing, or decreasing of any fee be cited or provided for in this Chapter or the Constitution of Louisiana.

B. The legislature further recognizes that there exist specific exceptions, exemptions, and limitations to the laws pertaining to the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule or the adoption, increasing, or decreasing of any fee throughout the revised statutes and codes of this state. Such exceptions, exemptions, and limitations are hereby continued in effect by incorporation into this Chapter by citation:

(1) R.S. 6:121.1(A), 121.3(A), 969.34, and 1092(F).

(2) R.S. 9:3552(C), 3556.2(A), and 3561(D)(2).

(3) R.S. 13:4202(B)(2).

(4) R.S. 18:1511.2(B).

(5) R.S. 22:1260.10(B).

(6) R.S. 27:220(C).

(7) R.S. 29:788(C).

(8) R.S. 30:4(I)(5), 918(B), and 925(A)(2) and (D).

(9) R.S. 37:1806.1(B) and 3012(B)(1).

(10) R.S. 40:5.3(B), 406(B)(1), and 600.6(A)(4)(b).

(11) R.S. 49:258(1).

(12) R.S. 51:1285(A), 1929.1(A), 2389.1(A), and 3090.

(13) R.S. 56:319(D) and 2014.

C. The legislature further recognizes that there exist provisions of law which authorize an agency to adopt, increase, or decrease a fee without specifically providing that such action shall be taken in accordance with this Chapter. Any action taken pursuant to such authorization shall be in accordance with this Chapter, unless it is specifically otherwise excepted, exempted, or limited in the Constitution of Louisiana or in law.

D. The provisions of this Chapter relative to fees shall not be applicable to a higher education management board created by Article VIII, Section 6, 7, or 7.1 of the Constitution of Louisiana.

Acts 2010, No. 775, §1, eff. June 30, 2010; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:967.1.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:955 redesignated as R.S. 49:975 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[3]

§956: Public information; adoption of rules; availability of rules and orders

Text of §956:

Public information; adoption of rules; availability of rules and orders

Each agency which engages in rulemaking shall:

(1) File with the Office of the State Register a description of its organization, stating the general course and method of its operations and the methods whereby the public may obtain information or make submissions or requests.

(2) Adopt rules of practice setting forth the nature and requirements of all formal and informal procedures available.

(3) Make available for public inspection all rules, preambles, responses to comments, and submissions and all other written statements of policy or interpretations formulated, adopted, or used by the agency in the discharge of its functions and publish an index of such rules, preambles, responses to comments, submissions, statements, and interpretations on a regular basis.

(4) Make available for public inspection all final orders, decisions, and opinions.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §2, eff. July 1, 1967. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 252, §1; Acts 1979, No. 578, §1, eff. July 18, 1979; Acts 1990, No. 1085, §1, eff. July 31, 1990; Acts 1993, No. 386, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:952.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:956 redesignated as R.S. 49:975.1 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§956.1: Administrative proceedings, member of the legislature or personnel as witness

Text of §956.1:

An application for an order compelling discovery to a member or former member of the legislature in his capacity as a state lawmaker, or a legislative employee in his official capacity, when the legislature or either body thereof is not a party to the proceeding may be made to the agency in which the action is pending, but no order compelling discovery shall issue except in strict conformity with the provisions of R.S. 13:3667.3(D). For the purposes of this Section "legislative employee" shall mean the clerk of the House of Representatives, the secretary of the Senate, or an employee of the House of Representatives, the Senate, or the Legislative Bureau.

Acts 2006, No. 690, §4, eff. June 29, 2006; Acts 2008, No. 374, §4, eff. June 21, 2008; Acts 2012, No. 519, §4.^[4]

§957: Internet publication of certain information concerning proposed rules and fees; information required to be published; manner of publication; deadlines

Text of §957:

Internet publication of certain information concerning proposed rules and fees; information required to be published; manner of publication; deadlines

A.

(1) Each agency shall include on its Internet website the information required by Subsection B of this Section.

(2)

(a) If an agency does not have an Internet website, the department of which the agency is a part shall include the information required by Subsection B of this Section for the agency on the website of the department.

(b) If an agency in the office of the governor does not have an Internet website, the division of administration shall include the information required by Subsection B of this Section for the agency on the Internet website of the division of administration.

B. All of the following information shall be included on the website:

(1) A brief description of each rule or fee that the agency is in the process of adopting, amending, or repealing. For each rule or fee, links to the following shall be included:

(a) The full text of the current rule or fee.

(b) A link to the Louisiana Register website showing the proposed rule or statement of the proposed fee.

(c) The name and contact information of the agency representative responsible for responding to inquiries about the intended action as required by R.S. 49:961(A)(2)(d).

(d) The time when, the place where, and the manner in which interested persons may present public comment concerning the intended action as required by R.S. 49:961(A)(2)(e).

(e) The anticipated effective date for the proposed rule or fee.

(f) A copy of the notice of intent submitted to the Louisiana Register pursuant to R.S. 49:961(A)(3) and the date the notice of intent will be published in the Louisiana Register.

(g) A copy of the report submitted to the legislative oversight subcommittees pursuant to R.S. 49:966(D)(1)(b) and a copy of the public notice required by R.S. 49:966(D)(1)(c).

(h) A copy of any announcement of a hearing and report made pursuant to R.S. 49:966(H)(2).

(i) A copy of any report received by the agency from a legislative oversight subcommittee pursuant to R.S. 49:966(F) or from the governor pursuant to R.S. 49:966(I).

(2) A copy of the annual report submitted to the legislative oversight subcommittees by the agency pursuant to R.S. 49:966(K).

C.

(1)

(a) The information required to be published pursuant to Subparagraphs (B)(1)(a) through (g) of this Section shall be published in the manner required by this Section no later than five days after the date on which the agency submits the report for the proposed rule or fee to the legislative oversight subcommittees pursuant to R.S. 49:966(B).

(b) The copy of the announcement required to be published pursuant to Subparagraph (B)(1)(h) of this Section shall be published in the manner required by this Section no later than five days after the announcement is submitted to the Louisiana Register in accordance with R.S. 49:966(H)(2).

(c) The copy of the report required to be published pursuant to Subparagraph (B)(1)(i) of this Section shall be published in the manner required by this Section no later than five days after the report is received by the agency.

(d) The copy of the annual report required to be published pursuant to Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section shall be published in the manner required by this Section no later than five days after the report is submitted to the legislative oversight subcommittees by the agency pursuant to R.S. 49:966(K).

(2) If an agency does not have an internet website, the agency shall submit the information required by this Section to be published to the department or to the division of administration, as the case may be, in a manner which allows enough time for the information to be published as required by this Section prior to the applicable deadline provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

D.

(1) All of the information required to be published pursuant to this Section shall be archived for a minimum of one year following the date of publication.

(2) Each agency, department, or the division of administration, as the case may be, shall include on its Internet home page a link to the information required to be published pursuant to this Section.

E. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to require the publication of information concerning the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule or fee unless and until the agency gives notice of its intended action pursuant to R.S. 49:961(A).

Acts 2014, No. 401, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:974.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:957 redesignated as R.S. 49:976 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[5]

§958. Decisions and orders

Text of §958:

§958. Redesignated as R.S. 49:977 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§959: Rehearings

Text of §959:

§959. Redesignated as R.S. 49:977.1 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§960: Ex parte consultations and recusations

Text of §960:

§960. Redesignated as R.S. 49:977.2 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§961. Procedure for adoption of rules

Text of §961:

A.

(1) An agency shall give notice of its intention to adopt, amend, or repeal any rule and a copy of the proposed rules at least ninety days prior to taking action on the rule.

(2) The notice shall include all of the following:

(a) A statement by the agency clearly describing the proposed action being taken.

(b) A statement by the legislative fiscal office on whether the proposed action will result in a fiscal impact.

(c) A statement by the legislative fiscal office on whether the proposed action will result in an economic impact.

(d) The name of the agency representative responsible for responding to inquiries about the intended action.

(e) The time, place, and manner in which interested persons may present public comment regarding the intended action.

(f) A statement that the intended action complies with the statutory law administered by the agency, including a citation of the enabling legislation.

(g) A preamble explaining the basis and rationale for the intended action and summarizing the information and data supporting the intended action.

(h) All of the following statements concerning the proposed action:

(i) The impact on family formation, stability, and autonomy required by R.S. 49:972.

(ii) The impact on child, individual, or family poverty in relation to individual or community asset development required by R.S. 49:973.

(iii) The economic impact on small businesses required by R.S. 49:974.4.

(iv) The small business regulatory flexibility analysis required by R.S. 49:974.5.

(3) The notice shall be published at least once in the Louisiana Register and shall be submitted with a full text of the proposed rule to the Louisiana Register at least one hundred days prior to the date the agency will take action on the rule.

(4) After the notice is published in the Louisiana Register, the agency shall make available copies of the full text of the proposed rule no later than two working days after receiving a written request.

(5) Notice of the intent of an agency to adopt, amend, or repeal any rule and the approved fiscal and economic impact statements shall be transmitted to all persons who have made timely request of the agency for notice. The notice and statements shall be transmitted at the earliest possible date, but not later than ten days after the date when the proposed rule change is submitted to the Louisiana Register.

(6) For the purpose of this Subsection, the date of notice is the date of publication of the issue of the Louisiana Register in which the notice appears as stated on the outside cover or the first page of the issue.

B.

(1) The agency shall afford all interested persons a reasonable opportunity to submit data, views, comments, or arguments, orally or in writing. In the case of substantive rules, the agency shall grant an opportunity for oral presentation or argument if requested within twenty days after publication of the rule pursuant to Subsection A of this Section by twenty-five persons, by a governmental subdivision or agency, by an association having not less than twenty-five members, or by a committee of either house of the legislature to which the proposed rule change has been referred pursuant to R.S. 49:966.

(2) Any hearing held pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall be held no earlier than thirty-five days and no later than forty-five days after the publication of the Louisiana Register in which the notice of the intended action appears.

(3) The agency shall consider fully all written and oral comments and submissions respecting the proposed rule. The agency shall respond to the comments and submissions describing the principal reasons for and against adoption of any amendments or changes suggested in the written or oral comments and submissions.

(4) The response required by Paragraph (3) of this Subsection shall be furnished to the respective legislative oversight subcommittees at least five days prior to the day the legislative oversight subcommittee hearing is to be held on the proposed rule and shall be made available to interested persons no later than one day following their submission to the appropriate legislative oversight subcommittee. If no legislative oversight hearing is to be held, the agency shall send its response to comments or submissions on the rule to any person who presented comments or submissions on the rule and to any requesting person not later than fifteen days prior to the time of publication of the final rule.

(5) The agency shall, upon request, make available to interested persons the report submitted pursuant to R.S. 49:966(D) no later than one working day following the submittal of such report to the legislative oversight subcommittees.

C.

(1) The statement of fiscal impact shall be prepared by the proposing agency and submitted to the legislative fiscal office for its approval. The fiscal impact statement shall include a statement of the receipt, expenditure, or allocation of state funds or funds of any political subdivision of the state.

(2) The statement of economic impact shall be prepared by the proposing agency and submitted to the legislative fiscal office for its approval. The economic impact statement shall include an estimate of the cost to the agency to implement the proposed action, including the estimated amount of paperwork; an estimate of the cost or economic benefit to all persons directly affected by the proposed action; an estimate of the impact of the proposed action on competition and the open market for employment, if applicable; and a detailed statement of the data, assumptions, and methods used in making each of the above estimates.

D. When a rule is adopted, amended, or repealed in compliance with federal regulations, the adopting agency's notice of intent and the actual text of the rule as published in the Louisiana Register shall be accompanied by a citation of the volume, number, date, and page number of the Federal Register issue in which the determining federal regulation is published.

E.

(1) No agency shall adopt, amend, or repeal any rule if the accompanying fiscal and economic impact statement approved by the legislative fiscal office indicates that the rule change would result in any increase in the expenditure of state funds, unless the rule is adopted as an emergency rule pursuant to the requirements of R.S. 49:962 or unless the legislature has specifically appropriated the funds necessary for the expenditures associated with the rule change.

(2) The fiscal and economic impact statement shall be summarized by the agency as to the estimated costs or economic benefits, or both, to directly affected persons, small businesses, or nongovernmental groups, and the summary shall be published in the Louisiana Register.

(3) No later than the tenth day of the month, the office of the state register shall electronically transmit to the commercial division of the Department of State the summary of the fiscal and economic impact statement.

F.

(1) No later than the tenth day of the month, the office of the state register shall electronically transmit to the commercial division of the Department of State all of the following information:

(a) The small business economic impact statement prepared by the agency pursuant to R.S. 49:974.4 and the small business regulatory flexibility analysis prepared pursuant to R.S. 49:974.5.

(b) The summary of the estimated costs to small businesses, citizens, and nongovernmental groups as provided in Subsection E of this Section.

(c) Any potpourri notices which are submitted to the office of the state register pursuant to R.S. 49:974.4.

(2) Prior to electronically sending the information required in this Subsection and Subsection E of this Section to the commercial division of the Department of State, the office of the state register shall divide the information by agency.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §3, eff. July 1, 1967. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 1975, No. 730, §1; Acts 1976, No. 279, §1; Acts 1978, No. 252, §1; Acts 1980, No. 392, §1. Acts 1983, No. 713, §1; Acts 1984, No. 953, §1; Acts 1985, No. 371, §1, eff. July 9, 1985; Acts 1986, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, No. 853, §1; Acts 1990, No. 1063, §1; Acts 1990, No. 1085, §§1 and 2, eff. July 31, 1990; Acts 1991, No. 104, §1, eff. June 30, 1991; Acts 1993, No. 119, §1; Acts 1993, No. 274, §1; Acts 1993, No. 386, §1; Acts 1995, No. 512, §1; Acts 1995, No. 642, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1057, §1, eff. June 29, 1995 and Jan. 8, 1996 (1/8/96 date applicable to Dept. of Health and Hospitals only); Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 36, §3, eff. May 7, 1996; Acts 1999, No. 1183, §1; Acts 2008, No. 580, §6; Acts 2010, No. 777, §1; Acts 2012, No. 781, §1, eff. June 13, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 854, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 791, §18; Acts 2018, No. 454, §1, eff. January 1, 2019; Acts 2019, No. 204, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2020, No. 153, §1; Acts 2021, No. 211, §§11, 13; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:953.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:961 redesignated as R.S. 49:977.3 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[6]

§962: Emergency rulemaking

Text of §962:

A.

(1) In extraordinary circumstances, an agency may adopt an emergency rule as an alternative to the rulemaking provisions provided for in R.S. 49:961. An emergency rule may be adopted by an agency without prior notice or a public hearing for any of the following reasons:

(a) To prevent imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare.

(b) To avoid sanctions or penalties from the United States.

(c) To avoid a budget deficit in the case of the medical assistance program.

(d) To secure new or enhanced federal funding.

(e) To effectively administer provisions of law related to the imposition, collection, or administration of taxes when required due to time constraints related to congressional, legislative, or judicial action.

(2) It shall not be considered an emergency if the agency is acting in the normal course and scope of fulfilling its mission, failed to take necessary steps in the administration of the agency to avoid an emergency, is promulgating rules to implement an Act of the legislature unless the Act specifically directed the agency to proceed with emergency rulemaking, or is continually republishing existing emergency rules.

(3) Subject to applicable constitutional or statutory provisions, an emergency rule shall become effective on the date of its adoption, or on a date specified by the agency to be not more than sixty days from the date of its adoption, provided written notice is given as required by Subsection B of this Section.

(4) An emergency rule shall not remain in effect beyond the publication date of the Louisiana Register published in the month following the month in which the emergency rule is adopted, unless the emergency rule and the reasons for adoption are published in that issue. An emergency rule shall not be effective for a period longer than one hundred eighty days.

(5) No emergency rule shall be adopted by an agency more than two consecutive times unless the agency is operating under a state or federal declaration of disaster, a state or federal public health emergency, or an ongoing emergency as authorized by the legislature, governor, or other provision of law. However, the agency may concurrently proceed with the adoption of an identical rule pursuant to the procedure provided for in R.S. 49:961(A).

B.

(1) No later than five days after the adoption of an emergency rule, the agency shall provide notice in writing of its emergency action along with a copy of the emergency rule. The notice shall contain, at a minimum, all of the following:

(a) A preamble which states the specific provision or provisions of Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section the agency is citing as cause for emergency rulemaking and the specific facts and detailed reasoning for emergency rulemaking in order to satisfy the criteria for an emergency rule.

(b) The name of the person within the agency who has the responsibility for responding to inquiries about the action.

(c) A statement that the intended action complies with the statutory law administered by the agency, including a citation of the enabling legislation.

(2)

(a) The notice required in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall be transmitted to the governor of the state of Louisiana, the attorney general, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the president of the Senate, and the office of the state register in accordance with each entity's transmittal policy.

(b) No later than five days after the adoption of the emergency rule, the agency shall transmit a copy of the notice required in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection to all persons who have made timely request of the agency for notice of rule changes.

(3) The office of the state register may omit from the Louisiana Register any emergency rule which would be unduly cumbersome, expensive, or otherwise inexpedient to print, if the emergency rule in printed or processed form is made available on application to the adopting agency, and if the Louisiana Register contains a notice stating the general subject matter of the omitted emergency rule, the reasons for the finding of the emergency submitted by the agency, and how a copy may be obtained.

C. The validity of an emergency rule may be determined in an action for declaratory judgment in the district court of the parish in which the agency is located. The agency shall be made a party to the action. An action for a declaratory judgment under this Section may be brought only by a person to whom such emergency rule is applicable or who would be adversely affected by such emergency rule and only on the grounds that the emergency rule does not meet the criteria for adoption of an emergency rule as provided in Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section. The court shall declare the emergency rule invalid if it finds that there is not sufficient evidence that such emergency rule must be adopted on an emergency basis for one or more of the reasons for adoption of an emergency rule as provided in Subsection A of this Section. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the emergency rule shall remain in effect until such declaratory judgment is rendered. The provisions of R.S. 49:968 shall not apply to any action brought pursuant to this Section. The provisions of this Section are in addition to R.S. 49:968 and shall not limit any action pursuant to R.S. 49:968.

D.

(1) Within sixty days after receipt of the emergency rule and agency notice required in Subsection B of this Section by the presiding officer of either the House of Representatives or the Senate, an oversight subcommittee of either house may individually or jointly conduct a hearing to review the emergency rule and make a determination of whether the emergency rule meets the criteria for an emergency rule set forth in Subsection A of this Section. The oversight subcommittee shall also make the following determinations:

(a) Whether the emergency rule is in conformity with the intent and scope of the enabling legislation purporting to authorize the emergency rule.

(b) Whether the emergency rule is in conformity with and not contrary to all applicable provisions of law and of the constitution.

(c) The advisability or relative merit of the emergency rule.

(d) Whether the emergency rule is acceptable or unacceptable to the oversight subcommittee.

(2)

(a) If within sixty days after receipt of the emergency rule and agency notice required in Subsection B of this Section either the House or Senate oversight committee determines that an emergency rule is unacceptable, the respective subcommittee shall provide a written report which contains the following:

(i) A copy of the emergency rule.

(ii) A summary of the determinations made by the oversight committee.

(b) The written report shall be delivered to the governor, the agency proposing the rule change, and the Louisiana Register no later than four days after the oversight committee makes its determination.

(3) If an emergency rule is determined to be unacceptable by an oversight committee, the agency shall not propose a rule change or emergency rule that is the same as or substantially similar to the disapproved emergency rule within four months after issuance of a written report by the subcommittee issued pursuant to this Subsection, nor more than once during the interim between regular sessions of the legislature.

E. Within sixty days after adoption of an emergency rule, the governor may review such emergency rule and make the determinations as provided in Subsection D of this Section. If within this time period the governor finds an emergency rule unacceptable, he shall prepare a written report as provided in Paragraph (D)(2) of this Section and transmit copies to the agency proposing the emergency rule and the Louisiana Register no later than four days after the governor makes his determination.

F. Upon receipt by the agency of a report issued by the oversight subcommittee or the governor finding an emergency rule unacceptable, the emergency rule shall be nullified and shall be without effect. The governor shall have no authority to disapprove the action taken on an emergency rule by the oversight subcommittee.

G. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission may employ the timetables and provisions of this Section in promulgating rules and regulations relative to hunting seasons, trapping seasons, alligator seasons, shrimp seasons, oyster seasons, and finfish seasons and size limits, and all rules and regulations pursuant thereto. Rules adopted annually pursuant to this Subsection which open and close the offshore and fall shrimp seasons, the oyster seasons, the marine finfish seasons, the webless migratory game bird hunting season, and the trapping season shall be effective for the duration of the respective season. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection D of this Section, any legislative oversight hearing held on a rule proposed under the provisions of this Subsection shall be held no earlier than five days and no later than thirty days following the date of adoption of the rule.

Acts 2021, No. 211, §11; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:953.1.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:962 redesignated as R.S. 49:977.4 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.

^[7]

§962.1: Judicial review, rule to show cause for permit applicants

Text of §962.1:

§962.1. Redesignated as R.S. 49:978 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§963:Department of Environmental Quality; procedure for adoption of rules

Text of §963:

A.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter to the contrary, if the Department of Environmental Quality proposes a rule that is not identical to a federal law or regulation or is not required for compliance with a federal law or regulation, the department shall do all of the following:

(a) Adopt and promulgate the proposed rule separately from any proposed rule or set of proposed rules that is identical to a federal law or regulation or required for compliance with a federal law or regulation, unless the only difference between the proposed rule or set of proposed rules and the corresponding federal law or regulation is a proposed fee. For purposes of this Subsection, the term "identical" shall mean that the proposed rule has the same content and meaning as the corresponding federal law or regulation.

(b)

(i) Provide a brief summary which explains the basis and rationale for the proposed rule; identifies the data and evidence, if any, upon which the rule is based; and identifies any portions of the proposed rule that differ from federal law or regulation if there is a federal law or regulation which is not identical but which corresponds substantially to the proposed rule.

(ii) The summary shall be provided along with the notice of intent and shall be published in the Louisiana Register or made available along with the proposed rule as provided in R.S. 49:961(A)(4). The department may also provide the summary when proposing a rule identical to a corresponding federal law or regulation or proposing a rule which is required for compliance with federal law or regulation to explain the basis and rationale for the proposed rule.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter to the contrary, when the department proposes a rule that is identical to a federal law or regulation applicable in Louisiana, except as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection, it may use the following procedure for the adoption of the rule:

(a) The department shall publish a notice of the proposed rule at least sixty days prior to taking action on the rule as provided below. The notice, which may include an explanation of the basis and rationale for the proposed rule, shall include all of the following:

(i) A statement of either the terms or substance of the intended action or a description of the subjects and issues involved.

(ii) A statement that no fiscal or economic impact will result from the proposed rule.

(iii) The name of the person within the department who has responsibility for responding to inquiries about the intended action.

(iv) The time, place, and manner in which interested persons may present their views including the notice for a public hearing required by R.S. 30:2011(D)(1).

(v) A statement that the intended action complies with the law administered by the department, including a citation of the specific provisions of law which authorize the proposed rule.

(b) Notice of the proposed rule shall be published at least once in the Louisiana Register and shall be submitted with a full text of the proposed rule to the Louisiana Register at least seventy days prior to the date the department proposes to formally adopt the rule. The office of the state register may omit from the Louisiana Register any proposed rule, the publication of which would be unduly cumbersome, expensive, or otherwise inexpedient, if the Louisiana Register contains a notice stating the general subject matter of the omitted proposed rule, the process being employed by the department for adoption of the proposed rule, and how a copy of the proposed rule may be obtained.

(c) Notice of the intent of the department to adopt the rule shall be transmitted to all persons who have made timely request for notice at the earliest possible date, and in no case later than ten days after the date when the proposed rule is submitted to the Louisiana Register.

(d) For the purposes of this Paragraph, the date of notice is the date of publication of the issue of the Louisiana Register in which the notice appears as stated on the outside cover or the first page of the issue.

(e) The department shall afford all interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, comments, or arguments related to the proposed rule, in writing, during a period of no less than thirty days. The department shall consider fully all written comments and submissions respecting the proposed rule.

(f) The department shall make available to all interested persons copies of the proposed rule from the time the notice of its adoption is published in the Louisiana Register.

(g) The department shall issue a response to comments and submissions describing the principal reasons for and against adoption of any amendments or changes suggested in the written comments and submissions and specifically addressing any assertion that the proposed rule is not identical to the federal law or regulation upon which it is based. The department shall issue the response to comments and submissions to any person who presented comments or submissions on the rule and to any requesting person no later than fifteen days prior to the time of publication of the final rule.

(h) No later than fifteen days prior to the time of publication of the final rule in the Louisiana Register, the secretary or any authorized assistant secretary of the department shall do each of the following:

(i) Certify under oath, to the governor of the state of Louisiana, the attorney general of Louisiana, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the president of the Senate, the chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality, and the office of the state register that the proposed rule is identical to a specified federal law or regulation applicable in Louisiana.

(ii) Furnish the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality and the chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment the response to comments and submissions required under Subparagraph (g) of this Paragraph, together with a copy of the notice required under Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph.

(i) Unless specifically requested, in writing, by the chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment or the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality within ten days of the certification provided under Subparagraph (h) of this Paragraph, there shall be no legislative oversight of the proposed rule. If, however, legislative oversight is properly requested, R.S. 49:961(B)(2) and (3) and 966 shall thereafter apply with respect to the proposed rule.

(j) In the absence of legislative oversight, the proposed rule may be adopted by the department no earlier than sixty days, nor later than twelve months, after the official notice of the proposed rule was published in the Louisiana Register. The proposed rule shall be effective upon its publication in the Louisiana Register subsequent to the act of adoption.

(3) The procedures set forth in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection for the adoption by the department of rules identical to federal laws or regulations applicable in Louisiana shall not be available for the adoption of any rules creating or increasing fees.

B.

(1) Prior to or concurrent with publishing notice of any proposed policy, standard, or regulation pursuant to Subsection A of this Section and prior to promulgating any policy, standard, or final regulation whether pursuant to R.S. 49:965 or otherwise under the authority of the Louisiana Environmental Quality Act, R.S. 30:2001 et seq., the department shall publish a report, or a summary of the report, in the Louisiana Register which includes:

(a) A statement identifying the specific risks being addressed by the policy, standard, or regulation and any published, peer-reviewed scientific literature used by the department to characterize the risks.

(b) A comparative analysis of the risks addressed by the policy, standard, or regulation relative to other risks of a similar or analogous nature to which the public is routinely exposed.

(c) An analysis based upon published, readily available peer-reviewed scientific literature, describing how the proposed and final policy, standard, or regulation will advance the purpose of protecting human health or the environment against the specified identified risks.

(d) An analysis and statement that, based on the best readily available data, the proposed or final policy, standard, or regulation presents the most cost-effective method practically achievable to produce the benefits intended regarding the risks identified in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph.

(2) No regulation shall become effective until the secretary complies with the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

(3) This provision shall not apply in those cases where the policy, standard, or regulation meets one or more of the following criteria:

(a) Is required for compliance with a federal law or regulation.

(b) Is identical to a federal law or regulation applicable in Louisiana.

(c) Will cost the state and affected persons less than one million dollars, in the aggregate, to implement.

(d) Is an emergency rule under R.S. 49:962.

(4) For purposes of this Subsection, the term "identical" shall mean that the proposed rule has the same content and meaning as the corresponding federal law or regulation.

(5) In complying with this Section, the department shall consider any scientific and economic studies or data timely provided by interested parties which are relevant to the issues addressed and the proposed policy, standard, or regulation being considered.

Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:963 redesignated as R.S. 49:968 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[8]

§964: Public request for the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule; agency rule review

Text of §964:

A. An interested person may petition an agency requesting the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule. Each agency shall prescribe by rule the form for petitions and the procedure for their submission, consideration, and disposition. Within ninety days after submission of a petition, the agency shall either deny the petition in writing, stating reasons for the denial, or shall initiate rulemaking proceedings in accordance with this Chapter. Each agency with an appropriated operating budget of five million dollars or more shall include on its website a description of the procedure for submitting petitions in accordance with this Subsection.

B.

(1) At least once prior to January 1, 2020, and at least once during every six-year period thereafter, each agency subject to Subsection A of this Section which engages in rulemaking shall conduct a public hearing for the purpose of allowing any interested person the opportunity to comment on any rule of the agency which the person believes is contrary to law, outdated, unnecessary, overly complex, or burdensome. The agency shall publish notice of the meeting in the Louisiana Register, give notice of the meeting electronically to the appropriate legislative oversight committees, and provide notice of the meeting to all persons who have made timely request of the agency for notice of rule changes, all no later than thirty days prior to the meeting.

(2) The notice of the meeting shall contain:

(a) The name of the agency.

(b) The purpose of the meeting.

(c) The time and place of the meeting.

(d) The process for requesting reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.

(e) The name and contact information of the person within the agency to whom interested persons should direct their views regarding the agency's rules, if in writing, and the deadline for submission of written comments.

(3) The agency shall consider fully all written and oral comments and submissions concerning its rules. The agency shall advise persons who provide oral comments that in order to be submitted to the legislative oversight committees, comments must be submitted to the agency in writing. The agency shall issue a response to each submission describing the principal advantages and disadvantages of the rule changes suggested in the submission. In addition, the agency may prepare a statement explaining the basis and rationale for the rule in question identifying the data and evidence upon which the rule is based. All such statements and responses to submissions shall be furnished to the respective legislative oversight committees in the manner provided by R.S. 49:966(K) and shall be made available to interested persons as soon as possible but no later than one day following their submission to the appropriate legislative oversight committees.

C. Any interested person may request review of an occupational regulation by submitting a petition to the occupational licensing board that issued the regulation. An occupational licensing board shall review a regulation provided for in the petition for full compliance with the least restrictive regulation as set forth in R.S. 37:43 or R.S. 49:260, as applicable.

Acts 2022, No. 583, §2; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:964 redesignated as R.S. 49:978.1 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[9]

§964.1: Judicial review, attorney fees, court costs, report

Text of §964.1:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:978.2 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§965: Filing; taking effect of rules

Text of §965:

A. No rule adopted is valid unless adopted in substantial compliance with this Chapter. Each rulemaking agency shall file a certified copy of its rules with the office of the state register. No rule shall be effective, nor may it be enforced, unless it has been properly filed with the office of the state register. No rule adopted shall be effective, nor may it be enforced, unless prior to its adoption a report relative to the proposed rule change is submitted to the appropriate standing committee of the legislature or to the presiding officers of the respective houses as provided in R.S. 49:966. No rule shall be effective, nor may it be enforced, unless the approved economic and fiscal impact statements, as provided in R.S. 49:961, have been filed with the office of the state register and published in the Louisiana Register. The inadvertent failure to mail notice and statements to persons making request for such mail notice, as provided in R.S. 49:961, shall not invalidate any rule adopted hereunder. A proceeding under R.S. 49:968 to contest any rule on the grounds of noncompliance with the procedures for adoption, as given in this Chapter, must be commenced within two years from the date upon which the rule became effective.

B.

(1) Each rule hereafter adopted shall be effective upon its publication in the Louisiana Register, said publication to be subsequent to the act of adoption, except that if a later date is required by statute or specified in the rule, the later day is the effective date.

(2) An emergency rule shall be considered effective pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 49:962.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §4, eff. July 1, 1967. Amended by Acts 1968, No. 474, §1; Acts 1974, No. 284, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975; Acts 1975, No. 730, §1; Acts 1978, No. 252, §1; Acts 1980, No. 392, §1; Acts 1990, No. 248, §1; Acts 1990, No. 1085, §1, eff. July 31, 1990; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 791, §18; Acts 2021, No. 211, §11; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:954.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:965 redesignated as R.S. 49:979 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[10]

§965.1: Expenses of administrative proceedings, right to recover

Text of §965.1:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:980 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§965.2. Short title

Text of §965.2:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:978.1 pursuant to Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020. Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020.^[1]

§965.3: Intent, legislative findings

Text of §965.3:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:978.2 pursuant to Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020. Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020.^[1]

§965.4: Definitions

Text of §965.4:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:978.3 pursuant to Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020. Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2010, No. 861, §21; Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020.^[1]

§965.5: Economic impact statements

Text of §965.5:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:978.4 pursuant to Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020. Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020.^[1]

§965.6: Regulatory flexibility analysis

Text of §965.5:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:978.5 pursuant to Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020. Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020.^[1]

§965.7: Conflicts of law

Text of §965.7:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:978.6 pursuant to Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020. Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020.^[1]

§965.8: Notification

Text of §965.8:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:978.7 pursuant to Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020. Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §2(A), eff. Feb. 1, 2020.^[1]

§966: Review of agency rules; fees

Text of §966:

A. It is the declared purpose of this Section to provide a procedure whereby the legislature may review the exercise of rule-making authority and the adoption, increasing, or decreasing of fees, extensions of the legislative lawmaking function, which it has delegated to state agencies.

B. Prior to the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule or the adoption, increase, or decrease of any fee, the agency shall submit a report relative to the proposed rule change or fee adoption, increase, or decrease to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature and the presiding officers of the respective houses as provided in this Section. The report shall be submitted on the same day the notice of the intended action is submitted to the Louisiana Register for publication in accordance with R.S. 49:961. The report shall be submitted to each standing committee electronically if electronic means are available. If no electronic means are available, the report shall be submitted to the committee's office in the state capitol by certified mail with return receipt requested or by messenger who shall provide a receipt for signature. The electronic receipt by the committee, return receipt or the messenger's receipt shall be proof of receipt of the report by the committee.

(1) The Department of Economic Development, all of the agencies made a part of it, and those agencies transferred to or placed within the office of the governor pursuant to R.S. 36:4.1 shall submit the report to the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs.

(2) Corrections services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and all the agencies of the department related to corrections and concealed weapons and concealed weapon permits, except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners, and the gaming enforcement section of the office of state police within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall submit all reports other than reports on proposed rule changes affecting prison enterprise programs, to the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Section C; however, the Crime Victims Reparation Board shall submit the report to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Section B.

(3) The Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and all of the agencies made a part of it, except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph, shall submit the report to the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs.

(a) The office of the state library, the office of the state museum, the State Board of Library Examiners, the Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities Commission, the Board of Directors of the Louisiana State Museum, the Board of Commissioners of the State Library of Louisiana, the Louisiana State Arts Council, the Louisiana State Capitol Fiftieth Anniversary Commission, and the Louisiana National Register Review Committee shall submit the report to the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs and the Senate Committee on Education.

(b) The office of state parks and the State Parks and Recreation Commission shall submit the report to the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

(c) The office of tourism and promotion and the Louisiana Tourist Development Commission shall submit the report to the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs.

(4) The Department of State and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit a report to the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs.

(5) The Louisiana Workforce Commission and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations and the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations.

(6) The Department of Transportation and Development and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report, to the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. The department shall also submit to the standing committees any policies or priorities developed for the expenditure or distribution of any monies from the Transportation Trust Fund as created by Article VII, Section 27 of the Constitution of Louisiana. The policies and priorities shall be submitted for review purposes only.

(7) Repealed by Acts 2001, No. 451, §5, eff. Jan. 12, 2004.

(8) The Department of Justice and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Section C.

(9) The Department of Civil Service and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs; however, the Board of Tax Appeals shall submit the report to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs.

(10) The Department of Revenue and all of the agencies made a part of it, except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph, shall submit the report to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs; however, the office of charitable gaming shall submit the report to the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Section B.

(11) The Department of Natural Resources and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. However, for exercises of the commissioner of conservation's rulemaking authority pursuant to Chapter 13-A-1 of Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, the department shall submit the report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality.

(12) Public Safety Services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and all the agencies of the department related to public safety, except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, shall submit the report to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Section B; however, the office of motor vehicles shall submit the report to the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Section B; however, the office of the state fire marshal, code enforcement and building safety, shall submit the report to the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs.

(13) The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

(14) The Department of Insurance and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Insurance and the Senate Committee on Insurance.

(15)

(a) The Department of the Treasury and all of the agencies made a part of it, except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph, shall submit the report to the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance.

(b) Each retirement system made a part of the Department of the Treasury shall submit the report to the House Committee on Retirement and the Senate Committee on Retirement.

(16) The Louisiana Department of Health and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.

(17) The Department of Children and Family Services and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.

(18) The Department of Agriculture and Forestry and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit all reports, and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and all the agencies made a part of it shall submit reports on proposed rule changes affecting prison enterprise programs to the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development.

(19) The Department of Education and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education.

(20) The Department of Public Service and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs.

(21)

(a) Except as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the office of the governor and the office of the lieutenant governor and all of the agencies within or part of either and any other agency for which provisions are not otherwise made in this Subsection, shall submit the report to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate, except that executive orders duly issued by the governor and attested to by the secretary of state are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter. The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate shall promptly forward the report to the appropriate standing committee of their respective houses.

(b) The Louisiana Workforce Investment Council shall submit the report to the House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations and the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations.

(c) The Office of Group Benefits shall submit the report to the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance.

NOTE: Subparagraph (d) eff. upon appropriation of funds sufficient to fully fund the provisions of Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 24.

(d) The office of broadband and connectivity shall submit the report to the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs.

(22) The Department of Environmental Quality and all of the agencies made a part of it shall submit the report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality.

(23) The Louisiana Sentencing Commission shall submit the report to the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Section C.

(24)

(a) In addition to the submission of a report relative to a proposed rule change or fee adoption, increase, or decrease by an agency to the appropriate standing committee as specified in Paragraphs (1) through (23) of this Subsection, whenever the fiscal impact of the rule or fee adoption, increase, or decrease, as indicated by the statement of fiscal impact required by Paragraph (C)(5) of this Section, exceeds one million dollars, the report on the proposed rule change or fee adoption, increase, or decrease shall also be submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Appropriations and shall be subject to review by those committees in the same manner and to the same extent as the review of the standing committees provided for in Paragraphs (1) through (23) of this Subsection.

(b) Whenever the fiscal impact or economic impact of the proposed rule change or fee adoption, increase, or decrease is five hundred thousand dollars or more as indicated by the statement of fiscal impact or the statement of economic impact required by Subsection C of this Section, the agency shall transmit the report provided for in Subsection C of this Section to each member of the legislature via electronic mail on the same day the notice of the intended action is submitted to the Louisiana Register for publication in accordance with R.S. 49:961.

C. The report, as provided for in Subsection B of this Section, shall contain:

(1) A copy of the rule as it is proposed for adoption, amendment, or repeal and a statement of the amount of the fee to be adopted or the amount of the proposed increase or decrease. The rule shall be coded with any new rule or language that is to be added to an existing agency rule underscored and any language that is to be deleted from an existing agency rule in struck-through type.

(2) A statement of whether the rule is proposed for adoption, amendment, or repeal; a brief summary of the content of the rule if proposed for adoption or repeal; and a brief summary of the change in the rule if proposed for amendment.

(3) The specific citation of the enabling legislation purporting to authorize the adoption, amending, or repeal of the rule or purporting to authorize the adoption, increasing, or decreasing of the fee.

(4) A statement of the circumstances which require adoption, amending, or repeal of the rule or adoption, increasing, or decreasing of the fee.

(5) A statement of the fiscal impact of the proposed action and a statement of the economic impact of the proposed action, both approved by the Legislative Fiscal Office.

D.

(1)

(a) The chairman of each standing committee to which reports are submitted shall appoint an oversight subcommittee, which may conduct hearings on all rules that are proposed for adoption, amendment, or repeal and on all proposed fee adoptions, increases, or decreases. Any hearing shall be conducted after any hearing is conducted by the agency pursuant to R.S. 49:961.

(b) The agency shall submit a report to the subcommittee, in the same manner as the submittal of the report provided for in Subsection B of this Section, which shall include all of the following:

(i) A summary of all testimony at any hearing conducted pursuant to R.S. 49:961.

(ii) A summary of all comments received by the agency, a copy of the agency's response to the summarized comments, and a statement of any tentative or proposed action of the agency resulting from oral or written comments received.

(iii) A revision of the proposed rule if any changes to the rule have been made since the report provided for in Subsection B of this Section was submitted, or a statement that no changes have been made.

(iv) A concise statement of the principal reasons for and against adoption of any amendments or changes suggested.

(c) The agency shall publish on its website public notice that the report required by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph has been delivered to the appropriate standing committee as provided for in Subsection B of this Section within five business days from submission of the report to the appropriate standing committee. If the agency does not maintain a website, the agency may submit the public notice to the office of the state register for publication on a website maintained by the office of the state register.

(2)

(a) Except as provided in Paragraph (H)(2) of this Section, any subcommittee hearing on a proposed rule shall be held no earlier than five days and no later than thirty days following the day the report required by Subparagraph (1)(b) of this Subsection is received by the subcommittee.

(b) The oversight subcommittee may consist of the entire membership of the standing committee and shall consist of at least a majority of the membership of the standing committee, at the discretion of the chairman of the standing committee, with the concurrence of the speaker of the House of Representatives or the president of the Senate. House and Senate oversight subcommittees may meet jointly or separately to conduct hearings for purposes of rules review.

(3) At the hearings, the oversight subcommittees shall make all of the following determinations:

(a) Whether the rule change or action on fees is in conformity with the intent and scope of the enabling legislation purporting to authorize the adoption thereof.

(b) Whether the rule change or action on fees is in conformity and not contrary to all applicable provisions of law and of the constitution.

(c) The advisability or relative merit of the rule change or action on fees.

(d) Whether the rule change or action on fees is acceptable or unacceptable to the oversight subcommittee.

E.

(1)

(a) Each determination shall be made by the respective subcommittees of each house acting separately. Action by a subcommittee shall require the favorable vote of a majority of the members of the subcommittee who are present and voting, provided a quorum is present.

(b) No later than three weeks before the deadline for legislative oversight action, the chairman of the subcommittee may request, by letter, the consent of the subcommittee members to have a mail ballot instead of a meeting to consider a proposed rule or proposed fee action. If no objection is received within ten days of the chairman's request, the chairman shall cause a mail ballot to be sent to the members of the subcommittee. In order for the subcommittee to reject a proposed rule or proposed fee action, a majority of ballots returned to the chairman at least twenty-four hours prior to the deadline for legislative oversight action must disapprove the change. Any determination by the subcommittee shall be made within the period provided for oversight hearings in Paragraph (D)(2) of this Section.

(2) Failure of a subcommittee to conduct a hearing or to make a determination regarding any rule proposed for adoption, amendment, or repeal shall not affect the validity of a rule otherwise adopted in compliance with this Chapter.

F.

(1) If either the House of Representatives or the Senate oversight subcommittee determines that a proposed rule change or proposed fee action is unacceptable, the respective subcommittee shall provide a written report which contains all of the following:

(a) A copy of the proposed rule or a statement of the amount of the proposed fee action.

(b) A summary of the determinations made by the subcommittee in accordance with Subsections D and E of this Section.

(2) The written report shall be delivered to the governor, the agency proposing the rule change, and the Louisiana Register no later than four days after the committee makes its determination.

G. After receipt of the report of the subcommittee, the governor shall have ten calendar days in which to disapprove the action taken by the subcommittee. If the action of the subcommittee is not disapproved by the governor within ten calendar days from the day the subcommittee report is delivered to him, the rule change shall not be adopted by the agency until it has been changed or modified and subsequently found acceptable by the subcommittee, or has been approved by the standing committee, or by the legislature by concurrent resolution. If a proposed rule change is determined to be unacceptable by an oversight committee and the determination is not disapproved by the governor as provided in this Section, the agency shall not propose a rule change or emergency rule that is the same or substantially similar to such disapproved proposed rule change nor shall the agency adopt an emergency rule that is the same or substantially similar to such disapproved proposed rule change within four months after issuance of a written report by the subcommittee as provided in Subsection F of this Section nor more than once during the interim between regular sessions of the legislature.

H.

(1) If both the House of Representatives and Senate oversight subcommittees fail to find a proposed rule change unacceptable, or if the governor disapproves the action of an oversight subcommittee within the time provided in Subsection G of this Section, the proposed rule change may be adopted by the agency in the identical form proposed by the agency or with technical changes or with changes suggested by the subcommittee if at least ninety days and no more than twelve months have elapsed since notice of intent was published in the Louisiana Register.

(2) Substantive changes to a rule proposed for adoption, amendment, or repeal occur if the nature of the proposed rule is altered or if the changes affect additional or different substantive matters or issues not included in the notice required by R.S. 49:961. Whenever an agency seeks to substantively change a proposed rule after notice of intent has been published in the Louisiana Register pursuant to R.S. 49:961, the agency shall hold a public hearing on the substantive changes preceded by an announcement of the hearing in the Louisiana Register. A notice of the hearing shall be mailed within ten days after the date the announcement is submitted to the Louisiana Register to all persons who have made request of the agency for notice. Any hearing by the agency pursuant to this Paragraph shall be held no earlier than thirty days after the publication of the announcement in the Louisiana Register. The agency hearing shall conform to R.S. 49:961, and a report on the hearing shall be made to the oversight committees in accordance with Subparagraph (D)(1)(b) of this Section. The agency shall make available to interested persons a copy of the report no later than one working day following the submittal of such report to the oversight committees. Any determination as to the rule by the oversight committees, prior to gubernatorial review as provided in Subsection G of this Section, shall be made no earlier than five days and no later than thirty days following the day the report required by this Paragraph is received from the agency.

(3) If a rule or part of a rule that is severable from a larger rule or body of rules proposed as a unit is found unacceptable, the rules or parts found acceptable may be adopted by the agency in accordance with Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

I. If the governor disapproves the action of an oversight subcommittee, he shall state written reasons for his action and shall deliver a copy of his reasons to the House and Senate oversight subcommittees, the agency proposing the rule change, and the Louisiana Register.

J. The Louisiana Register shall publish a copy of the written report of an oversight subcommittee and the written report of the governor in disapproving any such action, or if unduly cumbersome, expensive, or otherwise inexpedient, a notice stating the general subject matter of the omitted report and stating how a copy may be obtained.

K.

(1) Each year, no later than thirty days prior to the beginning of the regular session of the legislature, each agency shall submit a report to the appropriate committees as provided for in Subsection B of this Section. This report shall contain a statement of the action taken by the agency with respect to adoption, amendment, or repeal of each rule proposed for adoption, amendment, or repeal during the previous year and a report of the action taken by the agency with respect to any proposed fee adoption, increase, or decrease during the previous year.

(2) The report required by Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall also contain a recitation of each petition and submission, if any, received by the agency pursuant to R.S. 49:961 during the previous calendar year and the agency's response to each petition and submission, if any were received.

L. After submission of the report required by Subsection K of this Section to the standing committee, a public hearing may be held by the committee for the purpose of reviewing the report with representatives of the agency.

M. No later than the second legislative day of the regular session of the legislature, a standing committee to which proposed rule changes or proposed fee changes are submitted may submit a report to the legislature. This report shall contain a summary of all action taken by the committee or the oversight subcommittee with respect to agency rules and fees during the preceding twelve months. The report shall also contain any recommendations of the committee for statutory changes concerning the agency, particularly in statutes authorizing the making and promulgation of rules and fees of the agency.

N. A standing committee may, at any time, exercise the powers granted to an oversight subcommittee under the provisions of this Section.

Acts 1990, No. 312, §1; Acts 1990, No. 938, §1; Acts 1990, No. 1085, §1, eff. July 31, 1990; Acts 1991, No. 21, §2, eff. June 14, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 938, §5; Acts 1992, No. 377, §4, eff. June 17, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 447, §3, eff. June 20, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 119, §1; Acts 1993, No. 733, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1057, §1, eff. June 29, 1995 and Jan. 8, 1996 (1/8/96 date is applicable to Dept. of Health and Hospitals only); Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 36, §3, eff. May 7, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1, §5, eff. April 30, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 1001, §1; Acts 1999, No. 568, §2, eff. June 30, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 8, §16, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2001, No. 9, §8, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2001, No. 300, §3; Acts 2001, No. 451, §5, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1178, §7, eff. June 29, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 49, §3, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 116, §3, eff. May 28, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 183, §7; Acts 2003, No. 358, §1; Acts 2003, No. 850, §3; Acts 2003, No. 1049, §1; Acts 2008, No. 580, §6; Acts 2008, No. 743, §4, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 777, §1; Acts 2010, No. 861, §21; Acts 2010, No. 877, §3, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 549, §1; Acts 2012, No. 725, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2012, No. 744, §1, eff. June 12, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 640, §3, eff. June 12, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 832, §7.(A); Acts 2018, No. 454, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 24, §2, see Act; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:968.

NOTE: R.S. 51:1365 as enacted by Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 24, §3, provides that the provisions of Chapter 12 of Title 51 of the L.R.S. of 1950 regarding the Office of Broadband and Connectivity terminates on June 30, 2028.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:966 redesignated as R.S. 49:952 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[11]

§967: Review of rules relative to state content standards; elementary and secondary education

Text of §967:

A. Each rule proposed by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to adopt, amend, suspend, or repeal state content standards for use in public elementary and secondary schools shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education for review, in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.

B. State content standards proposed to be adopted by rule pursuant to this Section shall not be subject to severability in consideration by a legislative committee or the governor in oversight determinations. The state content standards set forth in a proposed rule shall be considered in globo in any determination of acceptability or unacceptability for oversight purposes.

Acts 2015, No. 245, §2; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:968.1.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:967 redesignated as R.S. 49:954 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[12]

§967.1: Application of Chapter to rules and fees

Text of §967.1:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:955 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§968. Judicial review of validity or applicability of rules

Text of §968:

A.

(1) The validity or applicability of a rule may be determined in an action for declaratory judgment in the district court of the parish in which the agency is located.

(2) The agency shall be made a party to the action.

B.

(1) If, before the date set for hearing, application is made to the court for leave to present additional evidence, and it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the additional evidence is material and that there were good reasons for failure to present it in the proceeding before the agency, the court may order that the additional evidence be taken before the agency upon conditions determined by the court.

(2) The agency may modify its findings and decision by reason of the additional evidence and shall file that evidence and any modifications, new findings, or decisions with the reviewing court.

C. The court shall declare the rule invalid or inapplicable if it finds that it violates constitutional provisions or exceeds the statutory authority of the agency or was adopted without substantial compliance with required rulemaking procedures.

D. An action for a declaratory judgment under this Section may be brought only after the plaintiff has requested the agency to pass upon the validity or applicability of the rule in question and only upon a showing that review of the validity and applicability of the rule in conjunction with review of a final agency decision in a contested adjudicated case would not provide an adequate remedy and would inflict irreparable injury.

E. Upon a determination by the court that any statement, guide, requirement, circular, directive, explanation, interpretation, guideline, or similar measure constitutes a rule as defined by R.S. 49:951(6) and that such measure has not been properly adopted and promulgated pursuant to this Chapter, the court shall declare the measure invalid and inapplicable. It shall not be necessary that all administrative remedies be exhausted.

F. With respect to the challenge of an occupational regulation, the plaintiff shall prevail if the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that the challenged occupational regulation on its face or in its effect burdens entry into a profession, trade, or occupation, and that an agency has failed to prove by a preponderance of evidence that the challenged occupational regulation is demonstrated to be necessary and narrowly tailored to fulfill legitimate fiduciary, public health, safety, or welfare objectives. Upon a finding for the plaintiff, the court shall enjoin further enforcement of the challenged occupational regulation and shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the plaintiff, except in the case of a challenged occupational regulation promulgated by an occupational licensing board that participates in the Department of Justice Occupational Licensing Review Program pursuant to R.S. 49:260.

G. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to administrative rules promulgated pursuant to the Human Life Protection Act, R.S. 40:1061 et seq.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §13, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 1991, No. 639, §1, eff. July 17, 1991; Acts 1997, No. 1043, §1, eff. July 11, 1997; Acts 2022, No. 583, §2; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:963.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:968 redesignated as R.S. 49:966 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[13]

§968.1: Review of rules relative to state content standards, elementary and secondary education

Text of §968.1:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:967 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[1]

§969: Legislative veto, amendment, or suspension of rules, regulations, and fees

Text of §969:

A. In addition to the procedures provided in R.S. 49:966 for review of the exercise of the rulemaking authority delegated by the legislature to state agencies, as defined by this Chapter, the legislature, by concurrent resolution, may suspend, amend, or repeal any rule or regulation or body of rules or regulations, or any fee or any increase, decrease, or repeal of any fee, adopted by a state department, agency, board, or commission. The Louisiana Register shall publish a brief summary of any concurrent resolution adopted by the legislature pursuant to this Section. The summary shall be published not later than forty-five days after signing of such resolution by the presiding officers of the legislature.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, a rule adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education relative to state content standards adopted by the board for use in public elementary and secondary schools, may not be amended by the legislature and may be suspended or repealed only in its entirety.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 660, §1. Acts 1995, No. 1109, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 2015, No. 245, §2; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[14]

§970: Gubernatorial suspension or veto of rules and regulations

Text of §970:

A. The governor, by executive order, may suspend or veto any rule or regulation or body of rules or regulations adopted by a state department, agency, board, or commission, except as provided in R.S. 49:954, within thirty days of adoption. Upon the execution of an order, the governor shall transmit copies of the order to the speaker of the House of Representatives and president of the Senate.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, the governor may suspend or veto a rule adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education relative to state content standards adopted by the board for use in public elementary and secondary schools only in its entirety.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 453, §1; Acts 2015, No. 245, §2; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[15]

§971: Rejection of agency fee adoption, increases, or decreases, prohibition against fee increases and new fees, exceptions

Text of §971:

A.

(1) If either the House of Representatives or the Senate oversight subcommittee appointed pursuant to R.S. 49:966 determines that a proposed fee adoption, increase, or decrease is unacceptable, the respective subcommittee shall provide a written report containing the reasons for the finding to the governor; the agency proposing the fee adoption, increase, or decrease; and the other house of the legislature. If the oversight subcommittee of the other house of the legislature likewise determines that the proposed fee adoption, increase, or decrease is unacceptable, the fee action shall not be adopted by the agency.

(2) If a proposed fee adoption, increase, or decrease is found unacceptable as provided in this Section, the agency shall not propose a fee or a fee change or an emergency fee or an emergency fee change that is the same or substantially similar to the disapproved fee action nor shall the agency adopt an emergency fee or fee change that is the same or substantially similar to the disapproved fee action within four months after issuance of the subcommittee report nor more than once during the interim between regular sessions of the legislature.

(3) However, no state agency which has the authority to impose or assess fees shall increase any existing fee or impose any new fee unless the fee increase or fee adoption is expressly authorized pursuant to a fee schedule established by statute or specifically authorized by a federal law, rules, or regulations for the purpose of satisfying an express mandate of such federal law, rule, or regulation. No state agency shall adjust, modify, or change the formula for any authorized fee in a manner that would increase the fee paid by any person by more than five percent of the relevant fee paid by such person in the previous fiscal year. Proposed fee increases of less than five percent shall be subject to oversight as required by R.S. 49:966.

(4)

(a) The provisions of Paragraph (3) of this Subsection shall not apply to any department which is constitutionally created and headed by an officer who is duly elected by a majority vote of the electorate of the state.

(b) The provisions of Paragraph (3) of this Subsection shall not apply to any state professional and occupational licensing boards.

B. Action by a subcommittee shall require a quorum and the favorable vote of a majority of the members of the subcommittee who are present and voting.

Acts 1987, No. 240, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1005, §1, eff. Aug. 15, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 1057, §1, eff. June 29, 1995, and Jan. 8, 1996 (1/8/96 date is applicable to Dept. of Health and Hospitals only); Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.

{ {NOTE: SEE ACTS 1987, NO. 240, §2.} }^[16]

§972: Family impact statement, issues to be considered, procedure, penalty

Text of §972:

A. Prior to the adoption and implementation of rules, each state agency shall consider and state in writing the impact of such rules on family formation, stability, and autonomy. This written consideration shall be known as the "family impact statement".

B. The family impact statement will consider and respond in writing to the following regarding the proposed rule:

(1) The effect on the stability of the family.

(2) The effect on the authority and rights of parents regarding the education and supervision of their children.

(3) The effect on the functioning of the family.

(4) The effect on family earnings and family budget.

(5) The effect on the behavior and personal responsibility of children.

(6) The ability of the family or a local government to perform the function as contained in the proposed rule.

C. All family impact statements must be in writing and kept on file in the state agency which has adopted, amended, or repealed a rule in accordance with the applicable provisions of law relating to public records.

D. For the purposes of this Section, "family" shall mean a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption who live together as a single household.

Acts 1999, No. 1183, §1.^[1]

§973: Poverty impact statement; issues to be considered; procedure

Text of §973:

A. In the formation of rules, each state agency shall consider and state in writing the impact of such rules on child, individual, or family poverty in relation to individual or community asset development prior to the adoption and implementation of such rules. This written consideration shall be known as the "poverty impact statement".

B. The poverty impact statement shall consider and respond in writing to the following regarding the proposed rule:

(1) The effect on household income, assets, and financial security.

(2) The effect on early childhood development and preschool through postsecondary education development.

(3) The effect on employment and workforce development.

(4) The effect on taxes and tax credits.

(5) The effect on child and dependent care, housing, health care, nutrition, transportation, and utilities assistance.

C. All poverty impact statements shall be in writing and kept on file in the state agency which has adopted, amended, or repealed a rule in accordance with the applicable provisions of law relating to public records.

D. For the purposes of this Section, the word "poverty" means living at or below one hundred percent of the federal poverty line.

Acts 2012, No. 854, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013.^[1]

§974: Internet publication of certain information concerning proposed rules and fees, information required to be published, manner of publication, deadlines

Text of §974:

Redesignated as R.S. 49:957 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[17]

§974.1. Short title

Text of §974.1:

R.S. 49:974.1 through 974.8 may be cited as the Small Business Protection Act and are referred to therein as "this Act". Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §§1, 2, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:978.1.^[18]

§974.2. Intent; legislative findings

Text of §974.2:

A. It is the legislative intent and purpose of the Small Business Protection Act to improve state rulemaking by creating procedures to analyze the availability of more flexible regulatory approaches for small businesses.

B. The legislature finds that:

(1) A vibrant and growing small business sector is critical to creating jobs in a dynamic economy. Increased hiring in Louisiana's small businesses creates higher wages and better outcomes for Louisiana's citizens and families.

(2) Small businesses bear a disproportionate share of regulatory costs and burdens. Increased regulatory costs decrease the amount of capital that small businesses have to create new jobs.

(3) Fundamental changes that are needed in the regulatory and enforcement culture of state agencies to make them more responsive to small business can be made without compromising the statutory missions of the agencies.

(4) When adopting rules to protect the health, safety, and economic welfare of Louisiana, state agencies should seek to achieve statutory goals as effectively and efficiently as possible without imposing unnecessary burdens on small employers.

(5) Uniform regulatory and reporting requirements can impose unnecessary and disproportionately burdensome demands, including legal, accounting, and consulting costs upon small businesses with limited resources.

(6) The failure to recognize differences in the scale and resources of regulated businesses can adversely affect competition in the marketplace, discourage innovation, and restrict improvements in productivity.

(7) Unnecessary regulations create entry barriers in many industries and discourage potential entrepreneurs from introducing beneficial products and processes.

(8) The practice of treating all regulated businesses as equivalent may lead to inefficient use of regulatory agency resources, enforcement problems, and, in some cases, to actions inconsistent with the legislative intent of health, safety, environmental, and economic welfare legislation.

(9) Alternative regulatory approaches which do not conflict with the stated objective of applicable statutes may be available to minimize the significant economic impact of rules on small businesses.

(10) Prior to the adoption of regulations, the process by which state regulations are developed and adopted should be reformed to require agencies to solicit the ideas and comments of small businesses, to examine the impact of proposed and existing rules on such businesses, and to review the continued need for existing rules.

(11) Regulations affect small businesses differently than their larger counterparts. According to the United States Small Business Administration, evidence indicates that regulatory requirements at the federal and state level tend to create disproportionately heavier burdens for small businesses, putting them at a disadvantage relative to their larger competitors. Reasons that small businesses are at a disadvantage include the following:

(a) The cost of regulations is higher relative to available resources. The cost of regulations per employee is higher for businesses with fewer employees.

(b) The cost per employee for the smallest businesses is typically one or more times greater than the equivalent cost for the largest businesses.

(12) Making small businesses aware of proposed state regulations prior to implementation is key to creating an effective partnership between state agencies and small businesses.

C. Nothing in the Small Business Protection Act shall be interpreted or construed to limit the ability of an agency to propose rules.

Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §§1, 2, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:978.2.^[19]

§974.3. Definitions

Text of §974.3:

The following words or terms as used in this Act shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning appears from the context:

(1) "Agency" means each state board, commission, department, agency, officer, or other entity which makes rules, regulations, or policy, or formulates, or issues decisions or orders pursuant to, or as directed by, or in implementation, of the constitution or laws of the United States or the constitution and statutes of Louisiana. The term "agency" shall not include any of the following entities:

(a) The legislature or any branch, committee, or officer thereof.

(b) Any political subdivision, as defined in Article VI, Section 44 of the Constitution of Louisiana, and any board, commission, department, agency, officer, or other entity thereof.

(c) The courts.

(2) "Potpourri notice" means a notice sent by an agency to the office of the state register indicating all of the following items:

(a) That the agency may implement a rule change at some future date.

(b) That the agency is seeking public comment and plans to conduct a public hearing, if one is requested prior to giving a notice of intent to implement the rule change.

(c) The deadline for receiving public comments and requests for a public hearing, which deadline is to occur prior to the date that the notice of intent to adopt the rule change, shall be sent to the office of the state register.

(3) "Proposed rule" means a proposal by an agency for a new rule or for a change in, addition to, or repeal of an existing rule.

(4) "Rule" means each agency statement, guide, or requirement for conduct or action, exclusive of those regulating only the internal management of the agency and those purporting to adopt, increase, or decrease any fees imposed on the affairs, actions, or persons regulated by the agency, which has general applicability and the effect of implementing or interpreting substantive law or policy, or which prescribes the procedure or practice requirements of the agency. "Rule" includes but is not limited to any provision for fines, prices or penalties, the attainment or loss of preferential status, and the criteria or qualifications for licensure or certification by an agency. A rule may be of general applicability even though it may not apply to the entire state, provided its form is general and it is capable of being applied to every member of an identifiable class. The term includes the amendment or repeal of an existing rule but does not include declaratory rulings or orders or any fees.

(5) "Small business" means a business that is domiciled in this state, employs one hundred or fewer full-time employees, and meets at least one of the following conditions:

(a) Gross annual sales are less than ten million dollars.

(b) Total net worth of the business is less than two million dollars.

Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2010, No. 861, §21; Acts 2019, No. 204, §§1, 2, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:978.3.^[20]

§974.4. Small business economic impact statements; potpourri notices

Text of §974.4:

A.

(1) Prior to the adoption of any proposed rule that may have an adverse impact on small businesses, each agency shall prepare a small business economic impact statement, that includes the following:

(a) An identification and estimate of the number of the small businesses subject to the proposed rule.

(b) The projected reporting, record keeping, and other administrative costs required for compliance with the proposed rule, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record.

(c) A statement of the probable effect on impacted small businesses.

(d) A description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the proposed rule.

(2) The small business economic impact statement shall be submitted to the office of the state register pursuant to R.S. 49:961.

B. If an agency determines, in its own judgment, that the input of small businesses and the public would be helpful in drafting a new proposed rule, the agency may issue a potpourri notice. If the agency issues a potpourri notice, it shall be submitted with the office of the state register.

Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §§1, 2, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:978.4.^[21]

§974.5. Regulatory flexibility analysis

Text of §974.5:

A. Prior to the adoption of any proposed rule, each agency shall prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis in which the agency shall, where consistent with health, safety, environmental, and economic welfare, consider utilizing regulatory methods that will accomplish the objectives of applicable statutes while minimizing adverse impact on small businesses. The agency shall consider, without limitation, each of the following methods of reducing the impact of the proposed rule on small businesses:

(1) The establishment of less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses.

(2) The establishment of less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses.

(3) The consolidation or simplification of compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses.

(4) The establishment of performance standards for small businesses to replace design or operational standards required in the proposed rule.

(5) The exemption of small businesses from all or any part of the requirements contained in the proposed rule.

B. Prior to the adoption of any proposed rule by an agency which according to the economic impact statement required by R.S. 49:974.4 and the results of the regulatory flexibility analysis required by this Section would have an adverse impact on small businesses, the agency shall notify the Department of Economic Development of its intent to adopt the proposed rule.

C. The agency shall submit the small business flexibility analysis with the office of the state register pursuant to R.S. 49:961.

Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §§1, 2, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:978.5.^[22]

§974.6. Conflicts of law

Text of §974.6:

Nothing in the Small Business Protection Act shall be construed to conflict with or supersede any applicable federal law, rule, or regulation. Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:978.6.^[23]

§974.7. Notification

Text of §974.7:

Upon receiving the electronic transfer of information from the office of the state register, as provided in R.S. 49:961, the commercial division of the Department of State shall perform all of the following items:

(1) By the fifteenth day of the month, the commercial division shall post information on the internet page of the commercial division under the heading of "Proposed State Rules and Regulations that May Affect Your Business".

(2) No later than the sixteenth day of the month, the division shall electronically transfer the information to the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the Louisiana Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, and to each person who has made a timely request of the department for this information.

Acts 2008, No. 820, §1; Acts 2019, No. 204, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:978.7.^[24]

§974.8. Small business advocate; posting of rules

Text of §974.8:

A. The secretary of state shall designate a small business advocate from the existing staff of the commercial division of the Department of State to implement and maintain the notification duties and functions required of the Department of State pursuant to R.S. 49:974.7.

B. The small business advocate shall coordinate the implementation and maintenance of the website of the commercial division of the Department of State relative to the receipt of information from the office of the state register pursuant to R.S. 49:961. The department shall enter into an agreement with the office of the state register to arrange for the electronic receipt of the information on an ongoing basis.

C. The small business advocate shall administer the Small Business Protection Act.

Acts 2019, No. 204, §§1, 2, eff. Feb. 1, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:978.8.^[25]

§975. Adjudication; notice; hearing; records

Text of §975:

A. In an adjudication, all parties who do not waive their rights shall be afforded an opportunity for hearing after reasonable notice.

B.

(1) The notice shall include all of the following:

(a) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing.

(b) A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held.

(c) A reference to the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved.

(d) A short and plain statement of the matters asserted.

(2) If the agency or other party is unable to state the matters in detail at the time the notice is served, the initial notice may be limited to a statement of the issues involved. Thereafter, upon application, a more definite and detailed statement shall be furnished.

C. Opportunity shall be afforded all parties to respond and present evidence on all issues of fact involved and argument on all issues of law and policy involved and to conduct cross-examination as required for a full and true disclosure of the facts.

D. Unless precluded by law, informal disposition may be made of any case of adjudication by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, or default.

E. The record in a case of adjudication shall include all of the following:

(1) All pleadings, motions, and intermediate rulings.

(2) Evidence received or considered or a resume thereof if not transcribed.

(3) A statement of matters officially noticed except matters so obvious that statement of them would serve no useful purpose.

(4) Offers of proof, objections, and rulings thereon.

(5) Proposed findings and exceptions.

(6) Any decision, opinion, or report by the officer presiding at the hearing.

F. The agency shall make a full transcript of all proceedings before it when the statute governing it requires it, and, in the absence of a requirement, shall, at the request of any party or person, have prepared and furnish him with a copy of the transcript or any part of the transcript upon payment of the cost unless the governing statute or constitution provides that it shall be furnished without cost.

G. Findings of fact shall be based exclusively on the evidence and on matters officially noticed.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §5, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:955.^[26]

§975.1. Rules of evidence; official notice; oaths and affirmations; subpoenas; depositions and discovery; confidential privileged information

Text of §975.1:

In adjudication proceedings:

(1) Agencies may admit and give probative effect to evidence which possesses probative value commonly accepted by reasonably prudent men in the conduct of their affairs. They shall give effect to the rules of privilege recognized by law. Agencies may exclude incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial, and unduly repetitious evidence. Objections to evidentiary offers may be made and shall be noted in the record. Subject to these requirements, when a hearing will be expedited and the interests of the parties will not be prejudiced substantially, any part of the evidence may be received in written form.

(2) All evidence, including records and documents in the possession of the agency of which it desires to avail itself, shall be offered and made a part of the record, and all such documentary evidence may be received in the form of copies or excerpts, or by incorporation by reference. In case of incorporation by reference, the materials so incorporated shall be available for examination by the parties before being received in evidence.

(3) Notice may be taken of judicially cognizable facts. In addition, notice may be taken of generally recognized technical or scientific facts within the agency's specialized knowledge. Parties shall be notified either before or during the hearing, or by reference in preliminary reports or otherwise, of the material noticed, including any staff memoranda or data, and they shall be afforded an opportunity to contest the material so noticed. The agency's experience, technical competence, and specialized knowledge may be utilized in the evaluation of the evidence.

(4) Any agency or its subordinate presiding officer conducting a proceeding subject to this Chapter shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, regulate the course of the hearings, set the time and place for continued hearings, fix the time for filing of briefs and other documents, and direct the parties to appear and confer to consider the simplification of the issues.

(5)

(a) Any agency or its subordinate presiding officer shall have power to sign and issue subpoenas in the name of the agency requiring attendance and giving of testimony by witnesses and the production of books, papers, and other documentary evidence. No subpoena shall be issued until the party who wishes to subpoena the witness first deposits with the agency a sum of money sufficient to pay all fees and expenses to which a witness in a civil case is entitled pursuant to R.S. 13:3661 and R.S. 13:3671.

(b) A subpoena issued pursuant to this Section shall be served by any agent of the agency, by the sheriff, by any other officer authorized by law to serve process in this state, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any person who is not a party and who is at least eighteen years of age. Witnesses subpoenaed to testify before an agency only to an opinion founded on special study or experience in any branch of science, or to make scientific or professional examinations, and to state the results thereof, shall receive such additional compensation from the party who wishes to subpoena such witness as may be fixed by the agency with reference to the value of the time employed and the degree of learning or skill required.

(c) Whenever any person summoned under this Section neglects or refuses to obey such summons, or to produce books, papers, records, or other data, or to give testimony, as required, the agency may apply to the judge of the district court for the district within which the person so summoned resides or is found, for an attachment against him as for a contempt. It shall be the duty of the judge to hear the application, and, if satisfactory proof is made, to issue an attachment, directed to some proper officer, for the arrest of such person, and upon his being brought before him, to proceed to a hearing of the case; and upon such hearing, the judge shall have power to make such order as he shall deem proper, not inconsistent with the law for the punishment of contempts, to enforce obedience to the requirements of the summons and to punish such person for his default or disobedience.

(6) The agency or a subordinate presiding officer or any party to a proceeding before it may take the depositions of witnesses, within or without the state and may conduct discovery in all manners as provided by law in civil actions. Depositions so taken and admissions, responses, and evidence produced pursuant to discovery shall be admissible in any proceeding affected by this Chapter. The admission of such depositions, admissions, responses, and evidence may be objected to at the time of hearing and may be received in evidence or excluded from the evidence by the agency or presiding officer in accordance with the rules of evidence provided in this Chapter.

(7) Repealed by Acts 1995, No. 760, §2, eff. June 27, 1995.

(8)

(a) Records and documents, in the possession of any agency or of any officer or employee thereof including any written conclusions drawn therefrom, which are deemed confidential and privileged shall not be made available for adjudication proceedings of that agency and shall not be subject to subpoena by any person or other state or federal agency.

(b) Such records or documents shall only include any private contracts, geological and geophysical information and data, trade secrets and commercial or financial data, which are obtained by an agency through a voluntary agreement between the agency and any person, which said records and documents are designated as confidential and privileged by the parties when obtained, or records and documents which are specifically exempt from disclosure by statute.

(c) Any violation of this prohibition shall be a waiver of governmental immunity from suit for damage resulting from any such disclosure.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraphs (a) and (c) of this Paragraph the state boards and agencies identified in R.S. 13:3715.1(J) may make available and use records and documents, including any written conclusions drawn therefrom, which are otherwise deemed confidential or privileged and which are in the possession of such board or agency or any officer, employee, or agent thereof, or any attorney acting on its behalf in any adjudication proceedings of such agency, provided that in any case involving medical or patient records, the identity of any patient shall be maintained in confidence. Any such records shall be altered so as to prevent the disclosure of the identity of the patient to whom such records or testimony relates. Disclosure by such board or agency or any officer, employee, agent, or attorney acting on behalf of any of them, of any material otherwise deemed privileged or confidential under state law, which is made in response to a federal subpoena, shall not constitute a waiver of governmental immunity from suit for damages resulting from such disclosure. Such boards and agencies, including their officers, employees, agents, and attorneys, shall nevertheless assert any privilege which is recognized and applicable under federal law when responding to any such federal subpoena.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §6, eff. July 1, 1967. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 524, §1, eff. Aug. 5, 1976; Acts 1989, No. 156, §1; Acts 1995, No. 760, §§1, 2, eff. June 27, 1995; Acts 1999, No. 416, §1; Acts 1999, No. 765, §1; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:956.^[27]

§975.2. Administrative proceedings; member of the legislature or personnel as witness

Text of §975.2:

An application for an order compelling discovery to a member or former member of the legislature in his capacity as a state lawmaker, or a legislative employee in his official capacity, when the legislature or either body thereof is not a party to the proceeding may be made to the agency in which the action is pending, but no order compelling discovery shall issue except in strict conformity with the provisions of R.S. 13:3667.3(D). For the purposes of this Section "legislative employee" shall mean the clerk of the House of Representatives, the secretary of the Senate, or an employee of the House of Representatives, the Senate, or the Legislative Bureau. Acts 2006, No. 690, §4, eff. June 29, 2006; Acts 2008, No. 374, §4, eff. June 21, 2008; Acts 2012, No. 519, §4; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:956.1.^[28]

§976. Examination of evidence by agency

Text of §976:

When in an adjudication proceeding a majority of the officials of the agency who are to render the final decision have not heard the case or read the record, or the proposed order is not prepared by a member of the agency, the decision, if adverse to a party to the proceeding other than the agency itself, shall not be made final until a proposed order is served upon the parties, and an opportunity is afforded to each party adversely affected to file exceptions and present briefs and oral argument to the officials who are to render the decision. The proposed order shall be accompanied by a statement of the reasons therefor and of the disposition of each issue of fact or law necessary to the proposed order, prepared by the person who conducted the hearing or by one who has read the record. No sanction shall be imposed or order be issued except upon consideration of the whole record and as supported by and in accordance with the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence. The parties by written stipulation may waive, and the agency in the event there is no contest may eliminate, compliance with this Section. Acts 1966, No. 382, §7, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:957.^[29]

§977. Decisions and orders

Text of §977:

A final decision or order adverse to a party in an adjudication proceeding shall be in writing or stated in the record. A final decision shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law. Findings of fact, if set forth in statutory language, shall be accompanied by a concise and explicit statement of the underlying facts supporting the findings. If, in accordance with agency rules, a party submitted proposed findings of fact, the decision shall include a ruling upon each proposed finding. Parties shall be notified personally, by mail, or by electronic means of any decision or order. Upon request, a copy of the decision or order shall be delivered or mailed forthwith to each party and to his attorney of record. The parties by written stipulation may waive, and the agency in the event there is no contest may eliminate, compliance with this Section. Acts 1966, No. 382, §1, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 2012, No. 289, §1, eff. May 25, 2012; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:958.^[30]

§977.1. Rehearings

Text of §977.1:

A. A decision or order in a case of adjudication shall be subject to rehearing, reopening, or reconsideration by the agency, within ten days from the date of its entry. The grounds for action shall be one of the following:

(1) The decision or order is clearly contrary to the law and the evidence.

(2) The party has discovered since the hearing evidence important to the issues which he could not have with due diligence obtained before or during the hearing.

(3) There is a showing that issues not previously considered ought to be examined in order to properly dispose of the matter.

(4) There is other good ground for further consideration of the issues and the evidence in the public interest.

B. The petition of a party for rehearing, reconsideration, or review, and the order of the agency granting it, shall set forth the grounds which justify such action. Nothing in this Section shall prevent rehearing, reopening or reconsideration of a matter by any agency in accordance with other statutory provisions applicable to such agency, or, at any time, on the ground of fraud practiced by the prevailing party or of procurement of the order by perjured testimony or fictitious evidence. On reconsideration, reopening, or rehearing, the matter may be heard by the agency, or it may be referred to a subordinate deciding officer. The hearing shall be confined to those grounds upon which the reconsideration, reopening, or rehearing was ordered. If an application for rehearing shall be timely filed, the period within which judicial review, under the applicable statute, must be sought, shall run from the final disposition of such application.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §9, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:959.^[31]

§977.2. Ex parte consultations and recusations

Text of §977.2:

A. Unless required for the disposition of ex parte matters authorized by law, members or employees of an agency assigned to render a decision or to make findings of fact and conclusions of law in a case of adjudication noticed and docketed for hearing shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, in connection with any issue of fact or law, with any party or his representative, or with any officer, employee, or agent engaged in the performance of investigative, prosecuting, or advocating functions, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.

B. A subordinate deciding officer or agency member shall withdraw from any adjudicative proceeding in which he cannot accord a fair and impartial hearing or consideration. Any party may request the disqualification of a subordinate deciding officer or agency member, on the ground of his inability to give a fair and impartial hearing, by filing an affidavit, promptly upon discovery of the alleged disqualification, stating with particularity the grounds upon which it is claimed that a fair and impartial hearing cannot be accorded. The issue shall be determined promptly by the agency, or, if it affects a member or members of the agency, by the remaining members thereof, if a quorum. Upon the entry of an order of disqualification affecting a subordinate deciding officer, the agency shall assign another in his stead or shall conduct the hearing itself. Upon the disqualification of a member of an agency, the governor immediately shall appoint a member pro tem to sit in place of the disqualified member in that proceeding. In further action, after the disqualification of a member of an agency, the provisions of R.S. 49:976 shall apply.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §10, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:960.^[32]

§977.3. Licenses

Text of §977.3:

A. When the grant, denial, or renewal of a license is required to be preceded by notice and opportunity for hearing, the provisions of this Chapter concerning adjudication shall apply.

B. When a licensee has made timely and sufficient application for the renewal of a license or a new license with reference to any activity of a continuing nature, the existing license shall not expire until the application has been finally determined by the agency, and, in case the application is denied or the terms of the new license limited, until the last day for seeking review of the agency order or a later date fixed by order of the reviewing court.

C. No revocation, suspension, annulment, or withdrawal of any license is lawful unless, prior to the institution of agency proceedings, the agency gives notice by mail to the licensee of facts or conduct which warrant the intended action, and the licensee is given an opportunity to show compliance with all lawful requirements for the retention of the license. If the agency finds that public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action, and incorporates a finding to that effect in its order, summary suspension of a license may be ordered pending proceedings for revocation or other action. These proceedings shall be promptly instituted and determined.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §11, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:961.^[33]

§977.4. Declaratory orders and rulings

Text of §977.4:

Each agency shall provide by rule for the filing and prompt disposition of petitions for declaratory orders and rulings as to the applicability of any statutory provision or of any rule or order of the agency. Declaratory orders and rulings shall have the same status as agency decisions or orders in adjudicated cases. Acts 1966, No. 382, §12, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 1995, No. 947, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:962.^[34]

§978. Judicial review; rule to show cause for permit applicants

Text of §978:

A. If the secretary does not grant or deny a permit, license, registration, variance, or compliance schedule for which the applicant had applied within the time period as provided for in R.S. 30:26 and 2022(C), R.S. 49:214.30(C)(2), and R.S. 56:6(26), the applicant has the authority, on motion in a court of competent jurisdiction, to take a rule on the secretary to show cause in not less than two nor more than thirty days, exclusive of holidays, why the applicant should not be granted the permit, license, registration, variance, or compliance schedule for which the applicant had applied. The rule may be tried out of term and in chambers.

B. In any trial or hearing on the rule, the applicant shall be entitled to a presumption that the facts as stated in the affidavit of the applicant, which shall be attached to the rule are true. The rule of the applicant shall be denied by the court only if the secretary provides clear and convincing evidence of an unavoidable cause for the delay. However, in denying the rule, the court shall decree that the secretary shall grant or deny the application within a time set by the court, or the application shall be granted without further action of the secretary or the court.

C. If the rule is made absolute, the order rendered thereon shall be considered a judgment in favor of the applicant granting the applicant the permit, license, registration, variance, or compliance schedule for which the applicant had applied.

D. The provisions of Subsections A, B, and C of this Section shall not apply to permit applications submitted under the Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) program under the Department of Environmental Quality.

Acts 1991, No. 828, §2; Acts 1995, No. 601, §2; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:962.1.^[35]

§978.1. Judicial review of adjudication

Text of §978.1:

A.

(1) Except as provided in R.S. 15:1171 through 1177, a person who is aggrieved by a final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding is entitled to judicial review under this Chapter whether or not he has applied to the agency for rehearing, without limiting, however, utilization of or the scope of judicial review available under other means of review, redress, relief, or trial de novo provided by law. A preliminary, procedural, or intermediate agency action or ruling is immediately reviewable if review of the final agency decision would not provide an adequate remedy and would inflict irreparable injury.

(2)

(a) No agency or official thereof or other person acting on behalf of an agency or official thereof shall be entitled to judicial review under this Chapter.

(b) The provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall not apply to the Department of Children and Family Services or an official thereof or other person acting on behalf of the department or official in appeals brought pursuant to Children's Code Article 616.1.1.

B. Proceedings for review may be instituted by filing a petition in the district court of the parish in which the agency is located within thirty days after the transmittal of notice of the final decision by the agency or, if a rehearing is requested, within thirty days after the decision thereon. Copies of the petition shall be served upon the agency and all parties of record.

C. The filing of the petition does not itself stay enforcement of the agency decision. The agency may grant, or the reviewing court may order, a stay ex parte upon appropriate terms, except as otherwise provided by Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, relative to professions and occupations. The court may require that the stay be granted in accordance with the local rules of the reviewing court pertaining to injunctive relief and the issuance of temporary restraining orders.

D. Within thirty days after the service of the petition, or within further time allowed by the court, the agency shall transmit to the reviewing court the original or a certified copy of the entire record of the proceeding under review. By stipulation of all parties to the review proceedings, the record may be shortened. A party unreasonably refusing to stipulate to limit the record may be taxed by the court for the additional costs. The court may require or permit subsequent corrections or additions to the record.

E. If, before the date set for hearing, application is made to the court for leave to present additional evidence, and it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the additional evidence is material and that there were good reasons for failure to present it in the proceeding before the agency, the court may order that the additional evidence be taken before the agency upon conditions determined by the court. The agency may modify its findings and decision by reason of the additional evidence and shall file that evidence and any modifications, new findings, or decisions with the reviewing court.

F. The review shall be conducted by the court without a jury and shall be confined to the record. In cases of alleged irregularities in procedure before the agency, not shown in the record, proof thereon may be taken in the court. The court, upon request, shall hear oral argument and receive written briefs.

G. The court may affirm the decision of the agency or remand the case for further proceedings. The court may reverse or modify the decision if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the administrative findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:

(1) In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;

(2) In excess of the statutory authority of the agency;

(3) Made upon unlawful procedure;

(4) Affected by other error of law;

(5) Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion; or

(6) Not supported and sustainable by a preponderance of evidence as determined by the reviewing court. In the application of this rule, the court shall make its own determination and conclusions of fact by a preponderance of evidence based upon its own evaluation of the record reviewed in its entirety upon judicial review. In the application of the rule, where the agency has the opportunity to judge the credibility of witnesses by first-hand observation of demeanor on the witness stand and the reviewing court does not, due regard shall be given to the agency's determination of credibility issues.

(7) Repealed by Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 89, §3, eff. April 18, 2002.

Acts 1966, No. 382, §14, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 1995, No. 1105, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 128, §1, eff. June 12, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 1216, §2; Acts 1997, No. 1224, §1; H.C.R. No. 89, 1997 R.S., eff. June 2, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 1332, §1, eff. July 12, 1999; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 89, §3, eff. April 18, 2002; Acts 2012, No. 289, §1, eff. May 25, 2012; Acts 2018, No. 90, §1, eff. May 10, 2018; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:964.

NOTE: R.S. 15:1171-1179 were included in the Unconstitutional Statutes Biennial Report to the Legislature, date March 14, 2016.

NOTE: Former R.S. 49:978.1 redesignated as R.S. 49:974.1 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[36]

§978.2. Judicial review; attorney fees; court costs; report

Text of §978.2:

A. If an agency or official thereof, or other person acting on behalf of an agency or official thereof, files a petition for judicial review of a final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding and such agency, official, or person does not prevail in the final disposition of the judicial review, the agency shall be responsible for the payment of reasonable attorney fees and court costs of the other party.

B. Notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 13:4521 to the contrary, an agency or official thereof, or other person acting on behalf of an agency or official thereof, which files a petition for judicial review of a final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding shall be required to pay court costs.

C. All payments for litigation expenses required by this Section shall be paid from the agency's regular operating budget. Each agency which has paid litigation expenses shall submit a detailed report of all payments from the prior fiscal year to its legislative oversight committees and to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget no later than November fifteenth of each year. For the purposes of this Subsection and of R.S. 49:992(H), the term "litigation expenses" shall mean court costs and attorney fees of the agency and of any other party if the agency was required to pay costs and fees.

Acts 2003, No. 1271, §1, eff. July 11, 2003; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:964.1.

NOTE: Former R.S 49:978.2 redesignated as R.S. 49:974.2 by Acts 2022, No. 663, §1.^[37]

§979. Appeals

Text of §979:

An aggrieved party may obtain a review of any final judgment of the district court by appeal to the appropriate circuit court of appeal. The appeal shall be taken as in other civil cases. Acts 1966, No. 382, §15, eff. July 1, 1967; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:965.^[38]

§980. Expenses of administrative proceedings; right to recover

Text of §980:

A. When a small business files a petition seeking: (1) relief from the application or enforcement of an agency rule or regulation, (2) judicial review of the validity or applicability of an agency rule, (3) judicial review of an adverse declaratory order or ruling, or (4) judicial review of a final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding, the petition may include a claim against the agency for the recovery of reasonable litigation expenses. If the small business prevails and the court determines that the agency acted without substantial justification, the court may award such expenses, in addition to granting any other appropriate relief.

B. A small business shall be deemed to have prevailed in an action when, in the final disposition, its position with respect to the agency rule or declaratory order or ruling is maintained, or when there is no adjudication, stipulation, or acceptance of liability on its part. However, a small business shall not be deemed to have prevailed, if the action was commenced at the instance of, or on the basis of a complaint by, anyone other than an officer, agent, or employee of the agency and was dismissed by the agency on a finding of no cause for the action or settled without a finding of fault on the part of the small business.

C. An agency shall pay any award made against it pursuant to this Section from funds in its regular operating budget and shall, at the time of its submission of its proposed annual budget, submit to the division of administration and to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a report of all such awards paid during the previous fiscal year.

D. As used in this Section:

(1) "Reasonable litigation expenses" means any expenses, not exceeding seven thousand five hundred dollars in connection with any one claim, reasonably incurred in opposing or contesting the agency action, including costs and expenses incurred in both the administrative proceeding and the judicial proceeding, fees and expenses of expert or other witnesses, and attorney fees.

(2) "Small business" means a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration, which for purposes of size eligibility or other factors, meets the applicable criteria set forth in 13 CFR, Part 121.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 497, §1; Acts 2022, No. 663, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 49:965.1.^[39]

§981: Continuous revision under supervision of division of administration, Office of the State Register

Text of §981:

The Office of the State Register, as the official entity to receive, compute, index, and publish the Louisiana Register and Louisiana Administrative Code, shall direct and supervise the continuous revision, clarification, and coordination of the Louisiana Register and Louisiana Administrative Code in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter.

Acts 1993, No. 379, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013.^[1]

§982: New regulation, incorporation in Louisiana Register and Louisiana Administrative Code, resolution of conflicting rules

Text of §982:

A. Upon receipt of any rules promulgated under the Administrative Procedure Act, the Office of the State Register shall prepare the "Louisiana Register", containing the rules to be promulgated in the Louisiana Administrative Code as they may have been amended or repromulgated and omitting therefrom those sections that have been repealed. There shall also be incorporated therein, in an appropriate place and classification, the text of all the new rules of a general and public nature, assigning to these rules an appropriate title, part, chapter, and section number, and indicating the statutory authority of the rules from which they are taken.

B. When a conflict between two or more rules affecting the same subject matter in the same provision or regulation cannot be resolved for the purpose of incorporating the text into the Louisiana Administrative Code, the Office of the State Register shall so notify the secretary of the department or administrative officer charged with the promulgation of the rule prior to preparing the Louisiana Administrative Code. The secretary or administrative officer shall be notified of the proposed correction. If no written disapproval of the secretary or administrative officer, or his designee, of the proposed correction is received by the Office of the State Register within seven days after the secretary or administrative officer receives the notice, the Office of the State Register shall then direct the printer to incorporate into the Louisiana Administrative Code the text of the provision of the rule properly promulgated.

Acts 1993, No. 379, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013.^[1]

§983. Incorporation of current rules and regulations procedure

Text of §983:

A. In preparing the Louisiana Register or the Louisiana Administrative Code as provided for in R.S. 49:981, the Office of the State Register shall not alter the sense, meaning, or effect of any rule properly promulgated under the Administrative Procedure Act, but it may:

(1) Renumber and rearrange sections or parts of sections.

(2) Transfer sections or divide sections so as to give to distinct subject matters a separate section number, but without changing the meaning.

(3) Insert or change the wording of headnotes.

(4) Change reference numbers to agree with renumbered parts, chapters, or sections.

(5) Substitute the proper section, chapter, or part number for the terms "this part", "the preceding section", and the like.

(6) Strike out figures where they are merely a repetition of written words and vice-versa.

(7) Change capitalization for the purpose of uniformity.

(8) Correct manifest typographical and grammatical errors.

(9) Make any other purely formal or clerical changes in keeping with the purpose of the revision.

B. The Office of the State Register shall notify the secretary or administrative officer charged with promulgation of the rule prior to making any proposed revision authorized by this Section. If no written disapproval of the secretary or administrative officer, or his designee, of the proposed revision is received by the Office of the State Register within seven days after the secretary or administrative officer receives the notice, the Office of the State Register shall proceed with the revision.

Acts 1993, No. 379, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013.^[1]

§984: Alphabetical or numerical sequence of laws

Text of §984:

A. Whenever a rule defines terms, enumerates provisions or items, or otherwise sets forth provisions of a rule in a numerical or alphabetical listing or sequence, and such provision, as promulgated, fails to establish or fails to maintain an existing alphabetical or numerical sequence, the Office of the State Register, in preparing the Louisiana Register and the Louisiana Administrative Code as provided for by R.S. 49:983, shall rearrange and renumber or redesignate the provisions to the extent necessary to place all of them in consistent order.

B. The Office of the State Register shall notify the secretary or administrative officer charged with promulgation of the rule prior to making any proposed revision authorized by this Section. If no written disapproval of the secretary or administrative officer, or his designee, is received by the Office of the State Register within seven days after the secretary or administrative officer receives the notice, the Office of the State Register shall proceed with the revision.

C. This requirement is in addition to any other authority granted to the Office of the State Register in the preparation of the Louisiana Register or the Louisiana Administrative Code, particularly by R.S. 49:983.

Acts 1993, No. 379, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013.^[1]

§985. Submitting copy to the proper party

Text of §985:

A draft of the Louisiana Administrative Code prepared by the Office of the State Register shall be submitted to the appropriate secretary or administrative officer charged with the promulgation of any rule prior to transmittal to the printer.

Acts 1993, No. 379, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013.^[1]

§986: Filing of copy with commissioner of administration; certificate of correctness; printing

Text of §986:

Any edition of the Louisiana Administrative Code, or of any supplement thereto, prepared in the manner provided in R.S. 49:982 and 983, shall be certified by the Office of the State Register that each section therein has been compared with the original sections in the official copy of the Louisiana Register with the final provisions of the promulgated rules from which the sections were derived, and that with the exception of the changes of form permitted in R.S. 49:983, the sections are correct. The Office of the State Register shall order the printing of an edition sufficient in number to supply the demand. When the edition has been printed, the Office of the State Register shall affix to one copy of the printed edition the Office of the State Register's original certificate and file the same for record in his office. All other copies of the same edition may contain a printed facsimile of the office's certificate.

Acts 1993, No. 379, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013.^[1]

§987: Printing and publication of Louisiana Register; proof of certified edition

Text of §987:

The Office of the State Register may enter into contracts with private publishers for the printing, publication, sale, and distribution of any edition of the Louisiana Register and the Louisiana Administrative Code prepared by the Office of the State Register and certified by it pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter. Those editions so authorized by the Office of the State Register and containing the printed facsimile of the Office of the State Register's certificate of correctness shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of the rules contained therein.

Acts 1993, No. 379, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §23, eff. June 11, 2013.^[1]

§991: Creation of division of administrative law

Text of §991:

The division of administrative law, hereafter referred to as "division", is created in the Department of State Civil Service.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1162, §2, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.

NOTE: SEE ACTS 1995, NO. 947, §8 AND NO. 739, §§3, 4.^[1]

§992: Applicability, exemptions, attorney fees, court costs

Text of §992:

A.

(1) Prior to October 1, 1996, the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act shall apply to all adjudications as defined by that Act.

(2) On and after October 1, 1996, the division shall commence and handle all adjudications in the manner required by the Administrative Procedure Act provided that the provisions of that Act are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter.

B.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary except as provided by R.S. 49:954 and the provisions of this Section, all adjudications shall be resolved exclusively as required by the provisions of this Chapter and the Administrative Procedure Act.

(2) Except in the instance of adjudications initiated pursuant to Items (D)(2)(b)(iii), (vi), and (vii) of this Section, in an adjudication commenced by the division, the administrative law judge shall issue the final decision or order, whether or not on rehearing, and the agency shall have no authority to override such decision or order. Upon the issuance of such a final decision or order, the agency or any official thereof shall comply fully with the final order or decision of the administrative law judge.

(3)

(a) Nothing in this Section shall affect the right to or manner of judicial appeal in any adjudication, irrespective of whether or not such adjudication is commenced by the division or by an agency.

(b)

(i) However, no agency or official thereof, or other person acting on behalf of an agency or official thereof, shall be entitled to judicial review of a decision made pursuant to this Chapter.

(ii) The provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph shall not apply to the Department of Children and Family Services or an official thereof or other person acting on behalf of the department or official in appeals brought pursuant to Children's Code Article 616.1.1.

C. The positions appointed by the director pursuant to this Chapter shall be in the classified service.

D.

(1) Except as provided in Paragraphs (2) through (9) of this Subsection, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to any board, commission, department, or agency of the executive branch of state government.

(2)

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph, any board, commission, department, or agency which is required, pursuant to a federal mandate and as a condition of federal funding, to conduct or to render a final order in an adjudication proceeding shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter to the extent of the federal mandate.

(b) This Subparagraph shall apply to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Education, and any agency within these departments:

(i) If the department or an agency within the department is prohibited, pursuant to a federal mandate or as a condition of federal funding, from delegating by contract or other means its fair hearings function, then such fair hearings shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter to the extent of the federal mandate; however, if such federally mandated hearings function may be delegated by contract or other means, the department or agency shall delegate such function to the division. If the department or agency claims a federal mandate exemption, the department or agency shall have the burden of proving such exemption.

(ii) If the department or an agency within the department is prohibited, pursuant to a federal mandate or as a condition of federal funding, from delegating by contract or other means both its fair hearings function and its authority to render a final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding, then such fair hearings and adjudication proceedings shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter to the extent of the federal mandate; however, if such federally mandated hearings function and authority to render a final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding may be delegated by contract or other means, the department or agency shall delegate such function and authority to the division. If the department or agency claims a federal mandate exemption, the department or agency shall have the burden of proving such exemption.

(iii)

(aa) If a department or an agency within the department may delegate its fair hearings function but is required by federal mandate to render the final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding, then in those cases, the division shall conduct the hearing and issue a recommended decision. The recommended decision shall be mailed or delivered to the head of the agency, who shall have, upon receipt of the recommended decision, thirty-five days to reject, modify, or approve the decision. If he rejects or modifies the recommended decision, he shall specify in writing the findings of fact or conclusions of law which are being rejected or modified which shall be considered to be the final decision or order in the adjudication proceeding. A copy of the department or agency's rejected or modified decision shall be forwarded to the division on the day it is issued. If the agency head does not reject or modify the recommended decision within thirty-five days, or if he approves the recommended decision, then the recommended decision of the division shall be certified as the final decision or order of the department or agency in the adjudication proceeding.

(bb) In Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cases, if the secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services approves, rejects, or modifies the recommended decision of the division, that approved, rejected, or modified decision shall be issued by the division as the final decision of the Department of Children and Family Services.

(iv) The provisions of this Subparagraph shall not apply to any board which is exempt from this Chapter pursuant to Paragraph (5) of this Subsection or to any board or commission which chooses to continue to conduct hearings pursuant to Subsection G of this Section.

(v) The division shall adjudicate within seventy-two hours of receipt all stay requests related to involuntary discharges from nursing homes. The division shall adjudicate all appeals related to involuntary discharges from nursing homes within thirty days of receipt.

(vi) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an adjudication of a decision by the Louisiana Department of Health to deny, suspend, or revoke the license of an outpatient abortion facility, ambulatory surgical center, home health agency, hospital, or nursing home, pursuant to R.S. 40:2009.7, 2110, 2116.37, 2141, or 2175.6 shall be heard by a three member panel of division of administrative law judges. This panel shall be deemed to meet the requirements of a panel appointed by the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. The three member panel shall issue a final decision or order. The final decision or order shall be appealable to the district court for the parish of East Baton Rouge.

(vii) The provisions of this Subparagraph shall apply to hearings involving the Department of Education required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act shall not apply to these hearings. Hearings involving the Individuals with Disabilities Act shall proceed in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Only an administrative law judge who has received training on the federal and state statutes and regulations with respect to children with disabilities and on educational placements in Louisiana's school systems shall conduct hearings pursuant to this Item. Any party aggrieved by the findings and decisions of the administrative law judge in hearings conducted pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including local educational authorities, shall have a right to bring a civil action in state or federal court pursuant to federal law or regulation.

(3) The office of workers' compensation administration in the Louisiana Workforce Commission shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.

(4) The office of unemployment insurance administration in the Louisiana Workforce Commission shall be exempt from this Chapter.

(5) State professional and occupational licensing boards shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.

(6) The Department of Agriculture and Forestry shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.

(7) All adjudications by the assistant secretary of the office of conservation pursuant to Chapters 1 and 7 of Subtitle I of Title 30 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, except determinations of violations of laws, rules, regulations, and orders, and determinations of penalties for such violations, shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.

(8) The Public Service Commission and any entity which by law has its adjudications handled by the Public Service Commission shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.

(9) Adjudications filed pursuant to R.S. 46:51.2, involving a risk evaluation panel decision, with the Department of Children and Family Services shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.

E. In the event that a person files a civil action to require that a state department, division, office, agency, board, commission, or other entity of state government conduct an adjudication as required by this Chapter and judgment is rendered in his favor, he shall be entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees to be taxed as costs in the matter.

F. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all adjudications as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act pursuant to the Procurement Code.

G. Any board or commission authorized by law to conduct hearings may continue to hold such hearings.

H.

(1) If an agency or official thereof, or other person acting on behalf of an agency or official thereof, files a petition for judicial review of a final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding and such agency, official, or person does not prevail in the final disposition of the judicial review, the agency shall be responsible for the payment of reasonable attorney fees and court costs of the other party.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 13:4521 to the contrary, an agency or official thereof, or other person acting on behalf of an agency or official thereof, which files a petition for judicial review of a final decision or order in an adjudication proceeding shall be required to pay court costs.

(3) All payments for litigation expenses required by this Subsection shall be paid from the agency's regular operating budget. Each agency which has paid such litigation expenses shall submit a detailed report of all such payments from the previous fiscal year to its legislative oversight committees and to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget no later than November fifteenth of each year.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1172, §9, eff. June 30, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 1484, §1, eff. July 16, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 1332, §1, eff. July 12, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 527, §1; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 1271, §1, eff. July 11, 2003; Acts 2005, No. 204, §1; Acts 2008, No. 743, §7, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 47, §2, eff. June 15, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 683, §1; Acts 2010, No. 877, §3, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2017, No. 348, §§4, 6, special eff. date; Acts 2018, No. 90, §1, eff. May 10, 2018; Acts 2018, No. 655, §2; Acts 2021, No. 4, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022.

NOTE: R.S. 37:21.1 terminates on August 1, 2021. See Acts 2018, No. 655, §1.^[40]

§992.1: Applicability, ethics complaints

Text of §992.1:

All adjudications involving alleged violations of any provision of law under the jurisdiction of the Board of Ethics shall be resolved as required by the provisions of this Chapter and the Administrative Procedure Act to the extent that such provisions do not conflict with Part III of Chapter 15 of Title 42 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

Acts 2008, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 23, §2, eff. Aug. 15, 2008.^[1]

§993. Definitions; rules

Text of §993:

A. The definitions for terms as provided by R.S. 49:951 shall apply to such terms used in this Chapter.

B. The division may promulgate rules according to the Administrative Procedure Act to insure compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.

NOTE: See Acts 1995, No. 947, §8 and No. 739, §§3, 4.^[1]

§994: Administrative law judges

Text of §994:

A. The director of the division shall employ the administrative law judges for the division, each of whom shall have the following qualifications:

(1) An administrative law judge shall be a resident of Louisiana.

(2) An administrative law judge shall be licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

(3) An administrative law judge shall have been engaged in the actual practice of law for at least five years prior to his appointment.

B. An administrative law judge shall be an employee of the division.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, all persons employed in affected agencies on October 1, 1996, who handle adjudications and whether or not they meet the qualifications of this Chapter shall, unless the person declines, be transferred to and employed in the division created by this Chapter to handle adjudications in the manner provided in this Chapter. However, no person other than those provided for in this Subsection shall be employed as an administrative law judge who does not meet the requirements of this Section.

D. The administrative law judge shall have the authority to:

(1) Regulate the adjudicatory proceedings assigned to him.

(2) Issue such decisions and orders as are necessary to promote a fair, orderly, and prompt adjudication.

(3) Exercise those powers vested in the presiding officer in the Administrative Procedure Act.

(4) If the parties do not object, conduct adjudications or conferences in person or by telephone, video conference, or similar communication equipment, and administer oaths in such proceedings.

(5) Continue an adjudication in any case when a party or subpoenaed necessary witness has been called to service in the uniformed services as defined in R.S. 29:403, including but not limited to a proceeding pursuant to R.S. 32:667.

E. All adjudications involving alleged violations of any provision of law under the jurisdiction of the Board of Ethics shall be heard by administrative law judges who are licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2001, No. 84, §1; Acts 2001, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 7, §2, eff. Oct. 16, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2008, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 23, §2, eff. Aug. 15, 2008.

NOTE: See Acts 1995, No. 947, §8 and No. 739, §§3, 4.^[1]

§995: Director

Text of §995:

A. The governor shall appoint, and the Senate shall confirm, a director for the division, who shall have the following qualifications:

(1) The director shall be a resident of Louisiana.

(2) The director shall be licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

(3) The director shall have been engaged in the actual practice of law for at least five years prior to his appointment.

B. (1) The director shall serve a six-year term and may be reappointed and confirmed for subsequent six-year terms without limitation.

(2) If a vacancy occurs during the director's term, the governor shall appoint a successor to fill the remainder of the vacant term.

(3) The first director shall be appointed on July 1, 1996, and shall take such action in compliance with this Chapter as necessary to ensure that the provisions of this Chapter are implemented by October 1, 1996.

C. The director shall be a full-time unclassified employee of the division and he shall not accept or engage in additional employment of any kind.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.

NOTE: See Acts 1995, No. 947, §8 and No. 739, §§3, 4.^[1]

§996: Duties of the director

Text of §996:

The director of the division shall take the following actions:

(1) Administer and cause the work of the division to be performed in such a manner and pursuant to such a program as may be appropriate.

(2) Organize the division into such sections as may be appropriate.

(3) Assign administrative law judges as appropriate to perform duties vested in or required by the division.

(4) Develop and maintain a program for the continual training and education of administrative law judges and agencies in regard to their responsibilities under this Chapter and the Administrative Procedure Act.

(5) Secure, compile, and maintain all records of adjudications held pursuant to this Chapter or the Administrative Procedure Act, and such reference materials and supporting information as may be appropriate.

(6) Develop uniform standards, rules of evidence, and procedures, including but not limited to standards for determining whether or not a summary or ordinary hearing should be held, to regulate the conduct of adjudications.

(7) Promulgate and enforce rules for the prompt implementation and coordinated administration of this Chapter as may be appropriate.

(8) Administer and supervise the conduct of adjudications.

(9) Assist agencies in the preparation, consideration, publication, and interpretation of rules as appropriate pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.

(10) Employ the services of the several agencies and their employees in such manner and to such extent as may be agreed upon by the director and the chief executive officer of such agency.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 1056, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1995, No. 947, §8 and No. 739, §§3, 4.^[1]

§997. Program of judicial evaluation

Text of §997:

A. The director shall develop and implement a program of judicial evaluation to aid in the performance of his duties.

B. The judicial evaluation shall focus on three areas of judicial performance including competence, productivity, and demeanor. It shall include consideration of the following:

(1) Industry and promptness in adhering to schedules.

(2) Tolerance, courtesy, patience, attentiveness, and self-control in dealing with litigants, witnesses, and counsel and in presiding over adjudications.

(3) Legal skills and knowledge of the law and new legal developments.

(4) Analytical talents and writing abilities.

(5) Settlement skills.

(6) Quantity, nature, and quality of caseload disposition.

(7) Impartiality and conscientiousness.

C. The director shall develop standards and procedures for the judicial evaluation which shall include taking comments from randomly selected litigants and lawyers who have appeared before the administrative law judge under evaluation.

D. The judicial evaluation shall include a review of the methods used by the administrative law judge. The judicial evaluation shall not include a review of any result as determined by an administrative law judge in any adjudication.

E. Before implementing any action based on the findings of the judicial evaluation, the director shall discuss the findings and the proposed action with the affected judge.

F. The judicial evaluation and supporting documents shall be confidential and shall not be subject to open records provisions of R.S. 44:1 et seq.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.

NOTE: See Acts 1995, No. 947, §8 and No. 739, §§3, 4.^[1]

§998: Prehearing conference

Text of §998:

A. The administrative law judge may conduct a prehearing conference pursuant to a motion of any party or on his own motion.

B. The administrative law judge shall set the time and place for the prehearing conference.

C. The administrative law judge shall give reasonable notice of the prehearing conference to all parties.

D. The prehearing conference may be conducted for the purpose of dealing with one or more of the following matters:

(1) Exploration of settlement possibilities.

(2) Preparation of stipulations.

(3) Clarification of issues.

(4) Rulings on the identities and limitation on the number of witnesses.

(5) Objections to proffers of evidence.

(6) Order of presentation of evidence and cross-examination.

(7) Rulings regarding issuance of subpoenas and protective orders.

(8) Schedules for the submission of written briefs.

(9) Schedules for the conduct of a hearing.

(10) Any other matter to promote the orderly and prompt conduct of the adjudication.

E. The administrative law judge shall issue a prehearing order, which he may direct one or more of the parties to prepare, incorporating the matters determined at the prehearing conference.

F. An administrative law judge assigned to render a decision or to make findings of fact and conclusions of law in a case of adjudication noticed and docketed for hearing shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, in connection with any issue of fact or law, with any party or his representative, or with any officer, employee, or agent engaged in the performance of investigative, prosecuting, or advocating functions, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.

NOTE: See Acts 1995, No. 947, §8 and No. 739, §§3, 4.^[1]

§999: Disqualification and withdrawal of administrative law judge

Text of §999:

A. An administrative law judge shall voluntarily disqualify himself and withdraw from any adjudication in which he cannot accord a fair and impartial hearing or consideration, or when required to by applicable rules governing the practice of law in Louisiana.

B. (1) Any party may request the disqualification of an administrative law judge by filing an affidavit, promptly upon learning of the basis for the disqualification, stating with particularity the grounds upon which it is claimed that a fair and impartial hearing cannot be accorded.

(2) The director shall promptly determine whether or not to disqualify an administrative law judge based on the request, or alternatively, he may hold a preliminary hearing at least ten calendar days prior to the hearing date for the purpose of receiving evidence relating to the grounds alleged for disqualification.

Acts 1995, No. 739, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.

NOTE: See Acts 1995, No. 947, §8 and No. 739, §§3, 4.^[1]

§999.1: Contract for adjudication services, other governmental entities

Text of §999.1:

The division is authorized to provide administrative law judges on a contractual basis to any governmental entity not covered by this Chapter, and to conduct administrative hearings for such entity.

Acts 1999, No. 416, §1; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.^[1]

§999.21. Suspension and ultimate revocation of license or permit; felony conviction

Text of §999.21:

A. As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

(1) "Enforcing authority" means any of the following who have authority to enforce the provisions of this Part:

(a) The issuing agency which issued the license or permit.

(b) The attorney general.

(2) "Holder of a license or permit" means the natural person or other entity in whose name a license or permit is issued and who holds such license or permit.

(3) "Issuing agency" means a state agency, board, commission, department, or other entity of the state which issues a license or permit.

(4) "License or permit" means any license or permit issued to any person or other entity by a state agency, except for any license or permit issued pursuant to any provisions of the law in Title 37 or Title 3 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, and in addition to any other sanction or penalty which may be imposed, any license or permit issued by any issuing agency may be suspended and ultimately revoked in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Part if the natural person who is the holder of such permit or license, the natural person who owns in excess of fifty percent of an entity which holds the license or permit, or the natural person who is the chief executive officer of an entity which holds the license or permit has been convicted of, or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime which is a felony under state or federal law related to obtaining or keeping the license or permit.

C. The license or permit may be suspended and its revocation shall be recommended to the courts by the issuing agency which has issued the license or permit upon its determination in the manner provided for in this Part that a person provided for in this Section has been convicted of, or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony under state or federal law related to obtaining or keeping the license or permit.

D. Such license or permit shall be revoked upon a final judgment by a court that the action of the issuing agency in suspending the license was in accord with the facts and law.

Acts 1997, No. 1162, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.^[1]

§999.22: Enforcing authority; initiation of action

Text of §999.22:

A. Any enforcing authority may bring an action against the holder of a license or permit to suspend and ultimately revoke such license or permit in the manner and according to the procedure provided for in this Part if the enforcing authority obtains knowledge that the natural person who is the holder of the permit or license, or the natural person who owns in excess of fifty percent of the entity which holds the license or permit, or the natural person who is the chief executive officer of the entity which holds the license or permit has been convicted of, or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime which is a felony under state or federal law related to obtaining or keeping the license or permit.

B. The enforcing authority may initiate the action by providing written notice by certified mail of its intention to suspend and ultimately revoke the license or permit of the holder pursuant to this Part, sent to the holder of the license or permit, the person alleged to have been convicted of, or to have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony under state or federal law related to obtaining or keeping the license or permit, and to the issuing agency which issued the license or permit, if different from the enforcing authority.

Acts 1997, No. 1162, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.^[1]

§999.23: Hearing before the issuing agency

Text of §999.23:

A. An action to enforce the provisions of this Part shall be initiated by written application made by the enforcing authority to the issuing agency issuing the license or permit requesting such agency to order the suspension and recommend to the courts the revocation of the license or permit.

B. No determination shall be made and no license shall be ordered suspended and ultimately revoked without an adjudicatory hearing conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and Part A of this Chapter.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 49:992 or any other law to the contrary, any hearing conducted pursuant to this Part may, at the request of the issuing agency, be conducted by an administrative law judge in an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Part A of this Chapter.

D. For purposes of this Part, the enforcing authority shall prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a person has been convicted of, or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime which is a felony under state or federal law related to the obtaining or keeping of the license at issue.

Acts 1997, No. 1162, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.^[1]

§999.24: Revocation

Text of §999.24:

A.(1) Within thirty days after the issuance of a written determination and order by an administrative law judge or an issuing agency that the license or permit of a holder should be suspended, and a recommendation to the courts that such license or permit should be revoked, the enforcing authority shall file a petition in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court requesting such judge or court to uphold the determination of such issuing agency and order the revocation of the license or permit. A copy of the written determination and order of the administrative law judge or the issuing agency and a certified transcript of all proceedings had, if any, shall be filed with the court at the same time as the petition of the enforcing authority.

(2) The holder of the license or permit that has been ordered suspended may also file a petition requesting that the order of the administrative law judge or the issuing agency be set aside at any time after it is issued.

B.(1) After or in conjunction with the filing of a petition as provided for in Subsection A of this Section, the holder of the license or permit that has been ordered suspended may file an application with the court with supporting affidavits requesting the court to make an initial determination as to whether the suspension of the license or permit by the administrative law judge or the issuing agency should be upheld.

(2) The court shall assign a hearing on the application for the initial determination not less than two nor more than ten days after the filing of such application, in open court or in chambers.

(3) The court shall review the written determination and order of the administrative law judge or issuing agency, any affidavits which were filed with the application, and the transcript of the proceedings, if any.

(4) If the court upon a review of such documents and consideration of the issues involved finds both that it is not probable that the order of the administrative law judge or the issuing agency will be upheld and that the suspension of the license or permit will result in irreparable injury, loss, or damage to the holder of the license or permit, the court shall issue an order enjoining the suspension until it renders a final judgment on the matter.

C.(1) Except for the procedure as provided in Subsection B of this Section, all of the cases provided for in this Section shall be tried in the same manner as civil cases and shall be heard and determined as speedily as possible.

(2) If the court finds that the action of the administrative law judge or the issuing agency is in accordance with the facts and law, the court shall render a judgment upholding the order of the administrative law judge or the issuing agency and revoking the license or permit of the holder. If not, the court shall either dismiss the order of the administrative law judge or the issuing agency and enjoin the suspension of the license or permit, or it shall remand the case to the administrative law judge or the issuing agency for further proceedings either with or without maintaining the suspension of the license or permit.

Acts 1997, No. 1162, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.^[1]

§999.25: Additional ground or cause

Text of §999.25:

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the provisions of this Part shall provide an additional ground or cause of action for suspension or revocation of a license or permit issued by an issuing agency and shall be in addition to any other sanction or penalty which such agency is specifically authorized to impose.

Acts 1997, No. 1162, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2003, No. 956, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.^[1]

External links

Footnotes

[lou-1] 1.00 ^1.01 ^1.02 ^1.03 ^1.04 ^1.05 ^1.06 ^1.07 ^1.08 ^1.09 ^1.10 ^1.11 ^1.12 ^1.13 ^1.14 ^1.15 ^1.16 ^1.17 ^1.18 ^1.19 ^1.20 ^1.21 ^1.22 ^1.23 ^1.24 ^1.25 ^1.26 ^1.27 ^1.28 ^1.29 ^1.30 ^1.31 ^1.32 ^1.33 ^1.34 ^1.35 ^1.36 ^1.37 ^1.38 ^1.39 ^1.40 ^1.41 ^1.42 ^1.43 Louisiana State Legislature, Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act, accessed May 23, 2023

[2] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:954, accessed May 24, 2023

[3] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:955 , accessed May 24, 2023

[4] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:956, accessed May 24, 2023

[5] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:957, accessed May 24, 2023

[6] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:961, accessed May 24, 2023

[7] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:962, accessed May 24, 2023

[8] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:963, accessed May 24, 2023

[9] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:964 , accessed May 24, 2023

[10] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:965, accessed May 24, 2023

[11] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:966 , accessed May 24, 2023

[12] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:967, accessed May 24, 2023

[13] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:968, accessed May 24, 2023

[14] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:969, accessed May 24, 2023

[15] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:970, accessed May 24, 2023

[16] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:971, accessed May 24, 2023

[17] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974, accessed May 24, 2023

[18] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974.1, accessed May 24, 2023

[19] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974.2, accessed May 24, 2023

[20] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974.3, accessed May 24, 2023

[21] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974.4, accessed May 24, 2023

[22] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974.5, accessed May 24, 2023

[23] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974.6, accessed May 24, 2023

[24] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974.7, accessed May 24, 2023

[25] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:974.8, accessed May 24, 2023

[26] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:975, accessed May 24, 2023

[27] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:975.1, accessed May 24, 2023

[28] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:975.2, accessed May 24, 2023

[29] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:976, accessed May 24, 2023

[30] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:977, accessed May 24, 2023

[31] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:977.1, accessed May 24, 2023

[32] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:977.2, accessed May 24, 2023

[33] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:977.3, accessed May 24, 2023

[34] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:977.4, accessed May 24, 2023

[35] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:978, accessed May 24, 2023

[36] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:978.1, accessed May 24, 2023

[37] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:978.2, accessed May 24, 2023

[38] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:979, accessed May 24, 2023

[39] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:980, accessed May 24, 2023

[40] Louisiana State Legislature, RS 49:992, accessed May 24, 2023

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