Senate Bill No. 477, introduced by Senator Price, amends existing laws regarding the retirement eligibility of the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. The bill creates an exception to the current designation of certain elected or appointed officials as part-time public servants, allowing them to participate in public retirement systems, provided there is a two-thirds vote from each house of the legislature. Specifically, it establishes that the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, if appointed and employed on or after July 1, 2024, will be eligible for membership in the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS).

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the chairman must devote full time to their duties and will be considered a full-time employee of the state. The chairman's salary will be equivalent to that of a judge of the courts of appeal, which includes expenses, benefits, and any supplemental pay. The bill retains the provision that the chairman cannot engage in any other business or profession while serving in this role. The effective date of the bill is contingent upon the governor's signature or the expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature.

Statutes affected:
SB477 Original: 11:164(A)(3), 27:14(B)(2)