A.  There is hereby created within the Department of Transportation and Development, the office of engineering, which shall administer engineering matters related to the state’s highway program with respect to project development, 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 engineering shall be under the immediate supervision of the chief engineer, who shall be appointed by the secretary.  The chief engineer shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary in accordance with civil service rules.  The chief engineer shall be a competent engineer of recognized ability and standing who is experienced in the engineering duties of the department.  He shall be licensed to practice civil engineering in Louisiana.  The chief engineer shall give his whole time to the duties of his office.

C.  The chief engineer 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 engineering.

D.  The chief engineer shall receive an annual salary fixed in accordance with civil service rules, payable monthly out of funds appropriated therefor and shall be allowed his actual and necessary traveling expenses incurred in the discharge of his official duties.

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, 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 secretary or the chief engineer with approval of the secretary may designate a licensed engineer in the office of engineering to perform any duties required of the chief engineer when the chief engineer is absent or incapacitated.

Acts 1988, No. 488, §1, eff. July 9, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 91, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1381, §1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 71, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2006, No. 11, §3; Acts 2011, No. 261, §1, eff. June 28, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 753, §4.

{{NOTE:  SEE ACTS 1988, NO. 488, §§2, 3.}}