Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 24-383
 
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RE:
Advisory opinion request regarding the application of La. R.S. 44:11A(3) to the residence address disclosed by filers on the annual personal financial disclosure statements pursuant to La. R.S. 42:1124.
Facts:
Emily Andrews, Special Counsel with the Governor's Office, is requesting the Board redact, keep confidential, and not produce if requested the residence address of employee of the Governor's Office who are required to file disclosures with the Board pursuant to La. R.S. 42:1124. Ms. Andrews cites La. R.S. 42:11(A)(2) in support of her position that the Board should keep such information confidential.
Law:
La. R.S. 42:1124A requires the following persons shall annually file a financial statement as provided in this Section: (7) The policy director in the office of the governor. (8) The chief of staff of the office of the governor. (9) The executive counsel to the governor. (10) The deputy chief of staff of the office of the governor. (11) The legislative director in the office of the governor.

La. R.S. 42:1124C provides that the financial statement required by this Section shall be filed on a form prescribed by the Board of Ethics and shall include the following information:

(1) The full name and residence address of the individual who is required to file.

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(7) A brief description, fair market value or use value as determined by the assessor for purposes of ad valorem taxes, and the address, if any, and if no address, the location by state and parish or county, of each parcel of immovable property in which the individual or spouse, either individually or collectively, has an interest, provided that the value of the interest the individual or spouse, either individually or collectively, has in the parcel of immovable property exceeds two thousand dollars.

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E. The financial statement shall be filed with the Board of Ethics and shall be accompanied by the certification of the individual filing it certifying that the information contained in the financial statement is true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief. The financial statement shall be a public record, subject to the provisions of Chapter 1 of Title 44 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

La. R.S. 42:1158(A)(1) provides that to enhance the board's ability to govern and enforce the Code of Governmental Ethics and to provide efficient and economical dissemination of information, the board shall establish the Board of Ethics Computerized Data Management System.

La. R.S. 42:1158A(2) provides the following basic specifications shall be designed into the board's computerized data management system:

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(d) The system's database shall be categorized to provide for citizen's access of all reports filed with the board…

La. R.S. 44:11 Confidential nature of certain personnel records; exceptions

A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter or any other law to the contrary, the following items in the personnel records of a public employee of any public body shall be confidential:

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(3) The home address of the public employee where such employee has requested that the address be confidential.

Recommendations:
Adopt proposed advisory opinion.
Assigned Attorney: Tracy Barker
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2024-383 - AO
2024-383 - Advisory Opinion Draft -Andrews