A.  There is hereby created within the Department of State an office of the uniform commercial code which shall have the responsibility of developing, implementing, managing, and operating Chapter 9 of the Louisiana Commercial Laws (R.S. 10:9-101, et seq.).

B.  The office of the uniform commercial code shall be administered by a deputy secretary.  The deputy secretary shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(1)  Coordinate a statewide network with the clerks of court for the implementation and operation of the program.

(2)  Facilitate the perfection and filing of financing statements covering movable goods.

(3)  Assist consumers, members of the financial services community, and attorneys in utilization of the program through educational and informational forums.

(4)  Make recommendations to the legislature as to revisions of Chapter 9 of the Louisiana Commercial Laws (R.S. 10:9-101, et seq.).

(5)  Prepare and administer program budget.

(6)  Coordinate data processing needs for the department.

C.  The Department of State, through the office of the uniform commercial code, shall be:

(1)  Responsible for immediate coordination and implementation of the statewide computer network to be established pursuant to Chapter 9 of the Louisiana Commercial Laws (R.S. 10:9-101, et seq.), including, but not limited to, the furnishing of uniform program software to the filing officers, coordinating and establishing the communications network as designed by the secretary of state, as well as any other undertaking deemed necessary by the secretary of state to ensure completion of the network by January 1, 1990;

(2)  Authorized to promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (R.S. 49:950, et seq.) as may be necessary for the implementation of Chapter 9 of the Louisiana Commercial Laws (R.S. 10:9-101, et seq.).

Acts 1989, No. 137, §15, eff. June 22, 1989.