Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 36, § 508. Office of project delivery; functions; assistant secretary; powers and duties

A. There is hereby created within the Department of Transportation and Development, the office of project delivery, which shall administer engineering matters related to the state's highway program with respect to project development, planning, design, construction, maintenance, extension, improvement, and regulation of roads, highways, expressways, bridges, and related matters, and any other special highway engineering program as may be directed by the secretary. The office shall also administer the public works functions of the state related to flood and drainage control, reclamation, water resources, soil conservation, mapping, disaster relief, and related matters, the state's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq., and other special programs as may be directed by the secretary.

B. The office of project delivery shall be under the immediate supervision of the assistant secretary, who shall be appointed by the secretary. The assistant secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary. He may be licensed to practice civil engineering in Louisiana. The assistant secretary shall give his whole time to the duties of his office.

C. The assistant secretary shall have authority subject to approval of the secretary and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the civil service commission to employ, appoint, transfer, assign, and promote such personnel as is necessary for the efficient administration of the office of project delivery.

D. The assistant secretary shall receive an annual salary fixed by the governor, which salary shall not exceed the amount approved for such position by the legislature while in session.

E. Before entering upon the duties of his office he shall take the prescribed oath and give bond to the governor in the sum of ten thousand dollars, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties. This bond shall be approved by the governor and filed with the secretary of state. The cost of this bond may be paid by the department with approval of the secretary.

F. The chief engineer shall approve all plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction of all facilities and projects for which his office is responsible. He also shall have such other duties as may be assigned to him by the secretary or the assistant secretary, by the provisions of this Chapter, or by the laws of this state. He shall report the proceedings of his office annually to the secretary of the department and at such other times as the secretary may designate, and he shall make any additional reports as are required by the secretary.

G. The assistant secretary in consultation with the chief engineer and with approval of the secretary may designate a licensed engineer in the office of project delivery to perform any duties required of the chief engineer when the chief engineer is absent.

H. The strategic mission of the assistant secretary shall be to, whenever possible, employ individuals skilled in project delivery and contract management who are not also licensed professional engineers.

I. The assistant secretary and the unclassified direct reports under his direction shall maximize to the fullest extent possible the privatization of services and functions within the office.