Commissioner of Agriculture - Powers and Duties

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.

The Commissioner of Agriculture shall serve as the chief administrative officer of the Department of Agriculture. The Commissioner shall be responsible for the enforcement of all duties imposed upon him by law. In addition to any other powers which may be conferred upon him, the Commissioner may:

  1. Examine and investigate any matter relating to or affecting the welfare of farmers and consumers of the state;
  2. Gather, formulate, and disseminate, in such form and in such manner as he shall deem advisable, information which may benefit the farmers and consumers of this state;
  3. Participate in any show, fair, or exhibit in order to advance the agricultural industry in this state and make the public aware of the services offered by the Department of Agriculture;
  4. Promulgate rules and regulations concerning the operations of the department and such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out and enforce the duties and responsibilities imposed upon him by law;
  5. Secure the cooperation and assistance of the other departments and agencies of this state, or the other states, any department or agency of the United States, or any other organization that may be of assistance; and
  6. Participate as a member of, or in an advisory capacity to, any organization or association which is of benefit to the agricultural community or consumers of the state.

(Ga. L. 1874, p. 5, § 4; Code 1882, § 1465d; Ga. L. 1893, p. 136, § 1; Civil Code 1895, § 1792; Civil Code 1910, § 2068; Code 1933, § 5-107.)

Cross references.

- Power of Commissioner to employ a state veterinarian, § 4-1-2.

Powers and duties of Commissioner in regard to prevention and control of disease in cattle, horses, and other livestock, T. 4, C. 4.

Powers and duties of Commissioner with regard to sale of petroleum products, brake fluid, and antifreeze, § 10-1-140 et seq.

Powers and duties of Commissioner with regard to enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to weights and measures, T. 10, C. 2.

Designation of Commissioner as state warehouse commissioner, § 10-4-50.

JUDICIAL DECISIONS

Cited in Talmadge v. Sutton, 175 Ga. 811, 166 S.E. 240 (1932).

OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Duties of Commissioner were not all included in the statutory provisions on agriculture (see now O.C.G.A. T. 2) and may be found in the statutory provisions on animals and commerce and trade (see now O.C.G.A. T. 4 and 10). 1958-59 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 4.

Purchase of protective outergarments authorized.

- The Department may lawfully purchase protective smocks for use by employees if these protective outergarments are considered reasonably necessary and proper for the conduct of an inspectors' official activities. 1968 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 68-94.

RESEARCH REFERENCES

C.J.S.

- 3 C.J.S., Agriculture, § 27 et seq.

ALR.

- State statute in relation to inspection and grading of grain as unlawful burden on interstate commerce, 19 A.L.R. 164.

Constitutionality, construction, and application of statutes relating to testing or sampling of agricultural fertilizers, 105 A.L.R. 348; 147 A.L.R. 765.


Download our app to see the most-to-date content.