A. There is hereby created within the Department of Transportation and Development, the office of operations, which shall administer all matters related to the operations of the department’s district offices, the Crescent City Connection Bridge, the Sunshine Bridge, and other matters as may be directed by the secretary.

            B. The office of operations shall be under the immediate supervision of the assistant secretary, who shall be appointed by the governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary. The assistant secretary shall be a competent engineer of recognized ability and standing who is experienced in the operations of the department. He shall be licensed to practice 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 operations.

            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, 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. The assistant secretary shall administer all department functions and duties for which the office of operations is responsible. He shall also 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.

            F. The secretary is specifically authorized and empowered to perform any of the duties of the assistant secretary when the assistant secretary is absent or incapacitated or when in the opinion of the secretary it would be in the best interest of the department. The assistant secretary with approval of the secretary may designate a licensed engineer in the office of operations to perform any duties required of the assistant secretary.

            Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 71, §1, eff. July 1, 1998; Acts 2012, No. 866, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013.

NOTE: See Acts 2012, No. 866, §§5 and 6, relative to implementation of termination of Crescent City Connection Dividion of department.