§157-13 General powers. The department of agriculture through its board is hereby vested with the following powers:
(1) To regulate and supervise in a milk shed the production, transportation, processing, storage, distribution, and delivery of milk, the establishment of quotas and the setting of minimum prices to be paid to producers by producer-distributors and distributors; provided that nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate or affect the status, force or operation of any provision of the laws on public utilities, public health, expenditure of public funds or any local health ordinance or health regulation.
(2) To investigate all matters in a milk shed pertaining to the production, transportation, processing, storage, distribution, and delivery of milk, and the establishment of quotas and the setting of minimum prices to be paid to producers by producer-distributors and distributors; to subpoena producers, producer-distributors and distributors, their records, books and accounts, and any other person from whom information may be desired to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter; and by leave of a circuit court, to order the taking of depositions of witnesses absent from the State. Any authorized employee may sign and issue subpoenas and may administer oaths to witnesses and conduct hearings and investigations. In case of failure of any person to comply with any subpoena issued under authority of this chapter, or the refusal of a witness to testify to any matter regarding which the witness may be lawfully interrogated, the judge of the district court of the circuit in which the person resides or of the circuit in which the person may be personally served, on application of the board or its authorized representatives, shall compel obedience, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from such court or a refusal to testify therein.
(3) To assist all industry-wide programs pertaining to the production, transportation, processing, storage, distribution, and delivery of milk, feed, supplies, animals, and other related agricultural commodities. Such programs may include advertising, feed storage and ensilage programs, heifer replacement program, agricultural park programs, relocation of dairies, and other related programs that would make the milk shed more viable, thereby assuring the production of an adequate supply of wholesome milk for the consumer.
(4) To control the intrastate shipment of milk including shipment of milk between counties.
(5) To make and enforce all rules and regulations and all orders necessary to carry out this chapter.
The operation and effect of any provision of this chapter conferring a general power shall not be impaired or qualified by the granting of a specific power or powers. [L 1967, c 260, §6; HRS §157-13; am L 1970, c 188, §§39, 40; am L 1971, c 184, §3; am L 1973, c 31, §6; am L 1977, c 65, §2; gen ch 1985]
Cross References
Rulemaking, see chapter 91.