LA Rev Stat § 17:205 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Revised Statutes|Title 17 - Education|§205. Environmental Education and Litter Reduction Section; staff; powers and duties; cooperation; funding

RS 205 - Environmental Education and Litter Reduction Section; staff; powers and duties; cooperation; funding  A. There is hereby created, within the state Department of Education, the environmental education and litter reduction section which shall assist the commission and perform responsibilities relative to education and litter abatement as provided for in this Subpart. Insofar as funds are appropriated, staff may be employed under the direction and control of the state superintendent of education and in accordance with policies of the department.  B. The section shall implement the provisions of this Subpart relative to environmental education, including the following:  (1) Receive advice and guidance on the administration and implementation of environmental education programs from the commission.  (2) Design plans for K-12 environmental education in the state regularly, with the assistance of the commission.  (3) Implement, administer and evaluate a grants programs benefiting K-12 students, graduate researchers, professional development, and other initiatives supporting environmental education.  (4) Promote and aid in the establishment and assessment of elementary and secondary school environmental education programs.  (5) Promote and aid in the development of pre-service and in-service environmental education programs for environmental educators, formal and non-formal, through cooperation with the Board of Regents and the state's colleges and universities.  (6) Cooperate with state and federal agencies and the private sector in developing, promoting, conducting, and evaluating programs of environmental education.  (7) Function as an environmental education clearinghouse by doing the following:  (a) Reviewing and recommending environmental education resources.  (b) Establishing an electronic capacity to disseminate databases of environmental education information, formal and non-formal, and to network with interstate and federal programs.  (c) Cooperating with state and federal agencies and organizations in the development and distribution of an environmental education newsletter.  (8) Promote the development of cooperative environmental education initiatives with the private sector.  (9) Initiate, develop, implement, assess, and market non-formal environmental education programs; assess environmental education curricula; promote state government and private sector policy that is consistent with the environmental education strategic plan; and coordinate non-formal environmental education with elementary, secondary, and postsecondary environmental education programs.  (10) Coordinate environmental education conferences to assist in the dissemination, development, and achievement of the state's environmental education goals.  C. The section shall implement the provisions of this Subpart relative to litter control awareness, including the following:  (1) Develop and implement publicity, educational, and motivational campaigns to build and sustain public awareness of litter and of the unacceptability of littering and to create a litterless ethic.  (2) Serve as the coordinating agency between various government and private organizations seeking to aid in litter control and reduction and recycling efforts.  (3) Assist local governments in the adoption and revision of ordinances aimed at litter control and reduction.  (4) Encourage, organize, and coordinate voluntary campaigns seeking to focus the attention of the public on programs to control and reduce litter and increase public awareness.  (5) Provide encouragement of and increased funds for litter cleanup and collection, litter prevention, and cleanup equipment.  (6) Promote litter abatement and control and encourage recycling.  (7) Promote public awareness and education.  (8) Assist local governments, industries, and other organizations which aid in anti-litter efforts.  (9) Cooperate with local governments to accomplish coordination of local anti-litter efforts.  (10) Encourage, organize, and coordinate voluntary local anti-litter campaigns seeking to focus the attention and participation of the public on the laws of this state enacted to control and remove litter and to provide for the recycling of trash materials.  (11) Investigate the availability of and apply for funds from any private or public source to be used for the purposes of this Subpart.  (12) Exchange information directly with judges, district and municipal attorneys, Louisiana state police, and local law enforcement officers on enforcement mechanics and offer technical assistance.  (13) Award grants and provide financial assistance on a local level in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to this Subpart in order to achieve the purposes of this Subpart and award certificates of achievement for litter abatement.  (14) Investigate methods, and monitor effectiveness of this Subpart and of techniques in the control of litter and develop, encourage, and coordinate litter control within the state.  (15) Provide an annual report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources giving details regarding the success of the section's efforts to comply with the above duties or any other duties required of it by law.  (16) Approve and disburse financial assistance to any local government or nonprofit organization which, in written application, seeks such assistance to implement a local litter prevention or abatement program.  Acts 1995, No. 322, §1; Acts 2011, No. 265, §1, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2018, No. 509, §1; Acts 2019, No. 238, §1; Acts 2020, No. 317, §2. NOTE: Former R.S. 30:2506 redesignated to R.S. 17:205, Acts 2020, No. 317.