The following words and terms, when used in this Part, shall have the following meanings:

(1)  “Public employee” means any full-time employee of the state, or any branch of state government, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, or any state board, commission, or other agency, and any employee of local governmental subdivisions of the state.  However, no elected official shall be considered a public employee for purposes of this Part.

(2)  “Employing agency” means the agency of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of state government or a local governmental subdivision which employs the leave recipient.

(3)  “Disaster” means a disaster designated at Level III (anticipated cost of the operation being at least fifty thousand dollars) and above in the American Red Cross Regulations and Procedures.

(4)  “Disaster service volunteer” means a public employee who has received certification from the American Red Cross as a Trained Disaster Volunteer.

Acts 1995, No. 455, §1.