Departments of the Executive Branch |
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DOA, a division
serving under the Governor, is the central management and administrative support agency for
the State. The Division is headed by the Commissioner of Administration and is comprised of
three programs: Executive Administration; Community Development and Block Grant; and Auxiliary.
The Commissioner oversees and coordinates the Division's 25 sections, which perform
legislatively-mandated and other required functions of state government.
The Division of Administration also provides supervisory functions for management
and budgets of all state departments.
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LDAF, a department serving under the commissioner of agriculture, an elected official, is responsible for the development and growth of markets for Louisiana agricultural products. It provides agricultural and environmental services, pesticide waste control, agro-consumer services, animal health services, and forestry programs. LDAF is also given the responsibility for promotion, protection, and advancement of agriculture, except research and educational functions expressly allocated to other departments. |
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DCRT, a department directly under the governor and civil service, is responsible for state parks and recreation and tourism development. It also sponsors the arts, historical and archaeological preservation, and cultural programs. State museums, the state library, and the depository for state public documents are also housed by DCRT. |
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LED, a department directly under the governor and civil service, is charged with the overall improvement of Louisiana’s economy. It seeks industrial and commercial development, provides oversight for industrial tax exemptions, and funds research to support economic development. LED encourages the state's economic diversification, including technology-driven economic development strategies. It separately provides development services to small and medium sized businesses, job training assistance, and helps to develop export markets for Louisiana products. |
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DOE, a department serves under the governor-appointed superintendent of education. The BESE Board of Elementary and Secondary Education was also established as a constitutionally-responsible body. DOE administers primary and secondary education, whereas the Board of Regents maintains governance of higher education. The Department of Education provides school and community programs, including student, school and community health and nutrition programs, transportation, community adult programs, and postsecondary and workforce development programs. The Department of Education is responsible for student and school performance records, comprising of student and school standards, assessment, accountability, and assistance (including exceptional children). DOE provides functions relating to teachers and administrators, including assessment and evaluation, certification, and staff development. Financial assistance and scholarship programs are funded through DOE's budget. | |
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DEQ, a department directly under the governor and civil service, is charged with the administration and and enforcement of environmental laws to ensure a healthful and safe environment. This includes air quality, water quality, the regulation of solid and hazardous waste, and the regulation of radiation. |
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DHH, a department directly under the governor and civil service, maintains health and medical services for disease prevention. It provides health and medical services for uninsured and medically indigent persons and maintains a coordination of services with the LSU Health Sciences Center, local health departments, and federally qualified centers. DHH supervises, coordinates and provides facilities for mental health, addictive disorder, and public health services, services for developmentally disabled, persons with mental retardation, and Medicaid services. |
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LDI, a department serving under the commissioner of insurance, an elected official, regulates insurance rates. It also provides administration of state insurance code and health insurance research and development. |
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The Department of Justice serves under the state's attorney general, an elected official. The attorney general serves to provide public protection (consumer, environmental, and insurance protection, anti-trust, securities, and family violence prevention). The Justice Department provides civil legal services for the state and its agencies, including protection and assertion of rights of state, debt collection, public works litigation, legal protection of state lands, water bottoms, and natural resources. Criminal law investigation and prosecution as permitted by the constitution are the responsibility of the Attorney General (criminal appeals, amicus curiae briefs, habeas corpus defense, assistance to district attorneys, public corruption, institutional and insurance fraud, and extraditions). The Attorney General gives legal representation to the state and its agencies in court cases and legal services for state gaming regulatory bodies, as well as issuance of legal opinions. |
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The Louisiana Workforce Commission, a commission directly under the governor and civil service, has programs to protect well-being of state’s workforce. It monitors employment security, provides unemployment compensation, aids with manpower evaluation and training, labor-manangement relations, and administration of the community services block grant. Workers’ compensation and labor market and occupational information are also the Workforce Commissions's duties. The Louisiana Workforce Investment Council (formerly Louisiana Workforce Commission) has become part of the reorganized workforce agency. |
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DNR, a department directly under the governor and civil service, helps with the conservation, regulation, and development of state natural resources (except timber, fish, and wildlife, which are designated to the Department of WildLife and Fisheries). DNR also provides coastal restoration and management. |
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DPS/DOC, departments directly under the governor and civil service, houses the state police, state property security, and gaming control, whose responsibilities include the enforcement of criminal and traffic laws and weights and standards. The Department of Public Safety aids in fire prevention and protection, and provides services for motor vehicle registration, and drivers’ licenses. The Department of Corrections supervises and maintains correctional institutions, the care, custody, and treatment of children adjudicated delinquent or needing supervision, probation and parole of adults, and the custody, evaluation, and rehabilitation of inmates and adjudicated juveniles. |
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PSC, the Public Service Commission, comprises the Department of Public Service and is divided into five districts, each headed by a commissioner whom is a locally-elected official. |
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LDR, a department directly under the governor and civil service, ensures the assessment, evaluation, and collection of state taxes. It also regulates alcoholic beverage control and charitable gaming. |
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DSS, a department directly under the governor and civil service, provides social services programs, such as the rehabilitation of handicapped persons, child welfare, blind services, public assistance programs, the food stamp program. It licenses day care and foster care facilities. The process of adoption and the enforcement of child support both fall under DSS's authority, as well as paternity establishment and parental eligibility determinations. |
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SOS, the office of the secretary of state whom is an elected official, comprises the Department of State. The Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the state. He administers state corporation and trademark laws, the preservation of official state archives, and the official registry of commissions. SOS also maintains the historical dignity of state government landmarks including the Old State Capital and certain museums. The Secretary of State is considered the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana. He maintains a "First Stop Shop" for business licensing in Louisiana, and administers certain functions of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Secretary of State's office holds custody of voting machines and provisions voter registration. |
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DSCS, a department directly under the governor and civil service, is responsible for processing many state jobs. It provides administration and regulation of the state classified service and is headed by the Civil Service Commission, a seven-member body appointed by the governor. |
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DOTD, a department directly under the governor and civil service, is generally responsible for transportation within the state: airports, highways, bridges, railroads, waterways, intermodal transportation, public transportation, and mass transit. Public works and flood and drainage control also fall under DOTD's control. |
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The Department of the Treasury serves under the state treasurer, an elected official. Custody and disbursement of state funds, accounting, depository control, and investment of state funds are handled by the Department of the Treasury. The Treasurer's office handles functions relating to the management, analysis, and control of state debt, including the issuance of bonds. The Treasury may also lend assistance to certain retirement boards. |
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VA, a department directly under the governor and civil service, staffs the functions of the state's veterans service offices. The mission of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is to assist Louisiana veterans and their dependents in receiving all federal and state benefits. Notable responsibilities include the Agent Orange Directory, domiciliary facilities for war veterans, and veterans cemeteries. |
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LDWF, a department directly under the governor and civil service, sponsors programs related to wildlife and fish, including research and replenishment. LDWF maintains natural wildlife areas within the state. Its agents patrol the scenic rivers and game preserves of Louisiana, providing regulation of hunting and fishing. |
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