EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 01-28

Louisiana NFL Stadium Advisory Commission

WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana requires additional information before it can properly assess whether the best interests of the citizens of this state will be served by developing a new National Football League stadium, or by reengineering or renovating the Louisiana Superdome, for a competitive home stadium environment for the New Orleans Saints, (collectively hereafter "stadium options"); and

WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana would, therefore, benefit from the services of an advisory commission composed primarily of business, civic, and governmental leaders, predominately selected from the greater New Orleans area, charged with the duties of compiling and evaluating factual data on the stadium options, identifying funding sources to cover the cost of each of the stadium options, identifying the terms, conditions, and funding sources of short and long-term inducement packages to accompany the stadium options, and submitting a report and recommendation to the governor and the Louisiana Legislature on the stadium options no later than January 15, 2003;

NOW THEREFORE I, M.J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: The Louisiana NFL Stadium Advisory Commission (hereafter "Commission") is established within the executive department, Office of the Governor.

SECTION 2:

A. The Commission shall compile, and thoroughly and objectively evaluate information and data on the feasibility, desirability, and costs of three (3) options for providing a competitive home stadium environment for the New Orleans Saints:

1) developing a new National Football League stadium;

2) comprehensively reengineering the Louisiana Superdome; and

3) renovating the Louisiana Superdome, particularly in suite and club seating areas, (collectively hereafter "stadium options").

B. The Commission shall also:

1) identify and assess funding sources and/or mechanisms to cover the costs of each stadium option;

2) describe in detail any legislation that may be needed for each of the stadium options; and

3) identify and assess the terms, conditions, and funding sources of the short and long-term inducement packages for the New Orleans Saints that accompany each stadium option.

C. The Commission shall select the stadium option that it finds to be in the best interest of the citizens of the state of Louisiana and recommend it to the governor and the Louisiana Legislature. The recommendation shall include a proposed time-table for the planning, construction, and completion of the recommended stadium option. The recommendation shall also include a complete proposal for funding sources, necessary legislation, and short and long- term financial inducements for the New Orleans Saints that accompany the recommended stadium option.

D. Upon the request of the governor, the Commission shall also recommend funding sources for short-term inducements recommended by the governor for the New Orleans Saints for the period pending and/or until executive and/or legislative action is taken on the Commission's final report and recommendation.

E. On or before January 15, 2003, the Commission shall submit a final report and recommendation to the governor and the Louisiana Legislature on the stadium options and inducement packages. At its discretion, the Commission may submit interim reports.

SECTION 3: The Commission shall be composed of fifty-two (52) members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor, selected as follows:

A. Ten (10) members of the Louisiana Legislature, selected from the greater New Orleans area;

B. Three (3) members of the Louisiana Legislature, selected from the state of Louisiana at large;

C. The mayor of the city of New Orleans, or the mayor's designee;

D. The president of the parish of Jefferson, or the president's designee;

E. Two (2) members of the New Orleans City Council; and

F. Thirty-five (35) notable citizens of the state of Louisiana, predominately selected from the greater New Orleans area, who have significant academic and/or professional expertise in one (1) or more of the following areas:

1. business or industry;

2. government,

3. public administration;

4. law; and/or

5. economics.

SECTION 4:

A. The governor shall appoint the chair of the Commission from its membership. All other officers, if any, shall be elected by the members of the Commission from its membership.

B. The governor shall also appoint a non-voting executive assistant to the Commission. The executive assistant shall not be a member of the Commission.

SECTION 5: The Commission shall meet at regularly scheduled intervals and at the call of the chair.

SECTION 6: Support staff, facilities, and resources for the meetings of the Commission and the performance of its duties shall be provided by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District and/or the Office of the Governor.

SECTION 7:

A. Commission members and the executive assistant shall not receive additional compensation or a per diem from the Office of the Governor for serving on the Commission.

B. Commission members and the executive assistant who are also an employee or elected public official of the state of Louisiana or a political subdivision may seek reimbursement of travel expenses, in accordance with PPM 49 or its equivalent, from their employing and/or elected department, agency, and/or office.

C. Commissions members who are also a member of the Louisiana Legislature may seek a per diem from the House of Representatives or the Senate, as appropriate, for their attendance at Commission meetings and/or service on the Commission.

SECTION 8: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and officers of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Commission in implementing the provisions of this Order.

SECTION 9: This Order is effective upon signature and shall remain in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the governor, or terminated by operation of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 25th day July, 2001.

M.J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Governor

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State