Opinion Number ( 2000 )

Dear Mr. Paige:

You recently contacted this office to inquire whether you may legally continue in your employment as a respiratory therapist with the Natchitoches Parish Hospital Service District while holding the local elective office of parish police juror.

The hospital service district is a political subdivision, separate from the police jury, although created by the police jury. See R.S. 46:1060; LSA-R.S. 42:62(9). Under the provisions of LSA R.S. 42:63(D) of the Louisiana Dual Officeholding and Dual Employment Law a person elected to local office may not hold full-time employment in the same political subdivision in which he holds elective office. In the alternative, a local elected official may be employed in a separate local political subdivision, whether full-time or part-time.

Thus, it is our opinion that you may continue to discharge the responsibilities imposed upon both positions. In accord is Attorney General Opinion 83-131, copy attached.

Very truly yours,

RICHARD P. IEYOUB ATTORNEY GENERAL

BY: __________________________ KERRY L. KILPATRICK ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

KLK:ams

OPINION NUMBER 83-131

February 8, 1983

78: Dual Officeholding Employee of Parish Hospital District may run for and serve as apolice juror. R.S. 42:63 (D); R.S. 46:1060

Mr. Samuel W. Mitcham, Jr. Director of Public Relations Morehouse General Hospital 323 West Walnut Street Bastrop, Louisiana 71220

Dear Mr. Mitcham:

Your inquiry of recent date addressed to Attorney General William Guste, Jr. has been directed to me for attention and reply.

You ask the followino question:

Whether an employee of a hospital Service district might also run and simultaneously hold the office of police juror.

You have kindly furnished me with a copy of the parish ordinance creating the Morehouse Parish Hospital Service District, in accordance with R.S. 46:1051 et seq. Although created by the police jury, the hospital district is a separate political subdivision from that of the police jury. R.S. 46:1060; R.S. 42:62 (9).

Under the provisions of R.S. 42:63 (D) of the Louisiana Dual officeholding and Dual Employment Law a person elected to local office could not hold a full-time appointed office, or employment of any kind with the state or the same local political subdivision; conversely, the local elected official could be employed full time or part time in a separate local political subdivision.

Therefore, it is the opinion of our office, except as may be limited by conditions of employment or civil service laws a person employed as a nurse by the Morehouse General Hospital may run for and, if elected, serve as a police juror for the parish of Morehouse.

If you have any further questions regarding this matter please contact our office.

Sincerely yours,

WILLIAM J. GUSTE, JR. ATTORNEY GENERAL

By: Harry H. Howard Assistant Attorney General