A.  In order to merge and consolidate into one department, under authority of La. Const. Art. III, § 32 of 1921, the executive and administrative offices of the state of Louisiana whose duties and functions are of a similar nature or character, the State Archives and Records Commission and the State Archives and Records Service as created and provided for by the constitution and laws of Louisiana is hereby merged and consolidated into the office of the secretary of state, which hereafter shall exercise the administrative functions of the state now or hereafter authorized to be exercised by the constitution and laws in relation to the administration, management and operation of the functions, programs and facilities of the State Archives and Records Commission and the State Archives and Records Service.  

B.  By authority of La. Const. Art. III, § 32 of 1921, the State Archives and Records Commission and the State Archives and Records Service is hereby transferred to the secretary of state, and all of the functions, programs and operations of every kind of the State Archives and Records Commission and the State Archives and Records Service hereafter shall be exercised and performed by the secretary of state.

C.  Under the transfer of functions provided for by this section, any pending or unfinished business of the commission and service shall be taken over and be completed by the secretary of state with the same power and authority as was exercised by the commission and director of the State Archives and Records Service.  The secretary of state shall be the successor in every way to the commission and service, and every act done in the exercise of such functions by the secretary of state shall be deemed to have the same force and effect under any provisions of the constitution and laws in effect on the effective date of this section, as if done by the office from which such functions are transferred.  

D.  Whenever the commission or service is referred to or designated by the constitution or by any law or contract or other document, such reference or designation hereafter shall be deemed to apply to the secretary of state, and the legislature hereby specifically states that the provisions of this Section are in no way and to no extent intended to, nor shall they be construed in any manner which will impair the contractual obligations of the commission or service heretofore existing, or of the state of Louisiana.  

E.  All books, papers, records, money, choses in action and other property heretofore possessed, controlled or used by the commission or service in the exercise of functions hereby transferred are hereby transferred to the secretary of state.  

F.  All employees heretofore engaged in the performance of duties, in the State Archives and Records Service, in the exercise of functions transferred by this section to the secretary of state shall be transferred with such functions to the office of secretary of state to the full extent practicable to carry out the purposes of this Section and shall, so far as practicable, continue to perform the duties heretofore performed, subject to the state civil service law.  

G.  The merger and consolidation of offices and functions herein provided shall be effective on and after January 1, 1973; provided, however, that to effect an orderly transfer of such offices and functions the following procedure shall be effected, to wit:

(1)  Not later than September 15, 1972, the State Archives and Records Commission, together with the director of the State Archives and Records Service, herein merged and consolidated shall transmit to the governor, division of administration and the secretary of state such information as may be necessary to effect plans for such consolidation and merger of offices as may be prescribed by the commissioner of administration, including but not limited to the following: (a) a complete list of all personnel, their salaries and job descriptions; (b) a complete inventory of all furniture, fixtures and equipment of every kind and description whatsoever; (c) all financial and bookkeeping records of the commission and service; (d) a summary of all floor space in state office buildings then being utilized.  

(2)  The secretary of state shall prepare and transmit to the governor and division of administration a “transition plan for consolidation” not later than November 1, 1972.  This plan shall include a detailed procedure for the consolidation and merger of offices and functions, including the transfer and utilization of jobs, personnel, funds, office space and equipment, and such other information as the governor may require.  

H.  All monies appropriated to, dedicated to or otherwise realized through any source whatsoever by the State Archives and Records Commission and the State Archives and Records Service herein being merged and consolidated, shall be, upon the effective date of consolidation, transferred to the secretary of state and thereafter the disbursement of and accountability for said funds shall be the responsibility of the secretary of state.  

Added by Acts 1972, No. 691, §1.