§19-1-1. Department of Agriculture
There shall be a Department of Agriculture under the control and supervision of a commissioner of agriculture.
§19-1-10. Requirement for Social Security Number on Applications
[Repealed.]
§19-1-11. Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program
(a) The Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program is an important tool for the Department of Agriculture to promote investment in the agricultural industry in the state. Rules are needed for the loan program to remain viable. (b) The commissioner shall propose emergency and legislative rules for approval in accordance with 29A-3-1 et seq. of this code. […]
§19-1-12. Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program and Fund
(a) Legislative findings. West Virginians have a longstanding tradition of service in the armed forces of the United States. Many veterans suffer from physical and emotional afflictions and are often unable to find gainful employment upon returning from combat. Exploring opportunities to engage West Virginias veterans in agriculture is beneficial to the health and welfare […]
§19-1-13. Annual Reporting to the Legislature
On or before January 31 of each year, the commissioner shall file a report with the President of the State Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance detailing the activities of the department, including all boards and commissions under the commissioners authority, during the preceding fiscal year. The […]
§19-1-2. Commissioner of Agriculture
The commissioner of agriculture shall be elected by the qualified voters of the state at the same time and in the same manner as other state officers are elected, and shall hold office for a term of four years and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
§19-1-3. Employees; Itemized Statement of Expenditures; Monthly Statement and Payment of Moneys Received by Commissioner
The commissioner shall organize his or her department and may employ a general counsel and other such legal, business, science, and technical professionals, para-professionals, and experts, and employees as may be necessary to perform the duties of the office. He or she shall fix their compensation and may require them to give bond for the […]
§19-1-3a. Marketing and Economic Development Duties
(a) The department shall establish marketing, promotional, and economic development programs to advance West Virginia agriculture in the domestic and international markets; provide grading, inspection, and market news services to the various elements of the West Virginia agricultural industry; and regulate and license individuals involved in the marketing of agricultural products. Upon request of the […]
§19-1-3b. Background Checks as Condition of Employment
(a) The commissioner may, as a condition of employment, require an applicant for a position to submit to a state and national criminal history record check. This requirement is found not to be against public policy. (b) The criminal history record check shall be based on fingerprints submitted to the West Virginia State Police or […]
§19-1-4. Duties of Commissioner
The Commissioner of Agriculture shall perform the following duties: (a) Devise means of advancing the agricultural interests of the state and, in the performance of such duty, he or she shall have authority to call upon any state department, or officer of the state or county, to cooperate in promoting the agricultural interests of the […]
§19-1-4a. Commissioner Authorized to Accept Gifts, etc., and Enter Into Cooperative Agreements
Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, the Commissioner of Agriculture is hereby empowered and he or she shall have authority to accept and receive donations, gifts, contributions, grants, and appropriations of money, services, materials, real estate, or other things of value from the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Food […]
§19-1-4b. Authority of Commissioner to Increase Certain Fees by Rules or Regulations
The commissioner is hereby authorized to promulgate and adopt rules in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, fixing dues for permits, licenses, certificates, registrations and laboratory tests when, in the opinion of the commissioner, it becomes necessary to increase these fees in order to cover the costs of providing the services […]
§19-1-4c. Agriculture Fees Fund
There is hereby created a special revenue account within the state Treasury to be known as "Agricultural Fees Fund". Expenditures from the fund shall be used exclusively by the commissioner of agriculture for the purpose of enforcement and administration of this chapter. Moneys paid into the account shall be from all moneys collected under this […]
§19-1-4d. Farmland Preservation Fees Fund
There is hereby created a special revenue account within the state Treasury to be known as "Farmland Preservation Fees Fund". Expenditures from the fund shall be used exclusively by the commissioner of agriculture for the purpose of funding farmland preservation boards in any county which has adopted and implemented a farmland protection program pursuant to […]
§19-1-4e. Department of Agriculture Capital Improvements Fund
There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special revenue account to be known as the Department of Agriculture Capital Improvements Fund. The fund shall be administered by the Department of Agriculture. The fund shall consist of all moneys transferred into the fund pursuant to §19-12A-6a of this code, any moneys that may be […]
§19-1-5. Cooperative Statistical Work
The commissioner of agriculture is hereby authorized to conduct cooperative work with the United States Department of Agriculture in gathering and disseminating information concerning agriculture, and it shall be the duty of the commissioner of agriculture and the Tax Commissioner to prepare and supply to the several assessors of the state printed forms, books, blanks, […]
§19-1-6. Duty of Assessor to Gather Statistics
Commencing on July 1, of each year, the assessors shall proceed to gather such statistics as the commissioner of agriculture and the Tax Commissioner may require, and the printed books, forms, blanks, papers and reports when so completed shall be returned to the commissioner of agriculture, on or before March 1 next ensuing.
§19-1-7. Shared Animal Ownership Agreement to Consume Raw Milk
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, a responsible party may enter into a written shared animal ownership agreement to consume raw milk in which he or she: (1) Acquires a percentage ownership interest in a milk-producing animal;
§19-1-8. Penalty for Failure of Assessor to Perform Duties
Any assessor failing to perform any of the duties required of him in this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, fined not more than $100.
§19-1-9. Agriculture Advisory Board
There shall be a state agriculture advisory board to consist of the Governor, the commissioner of agriculture and the director of the cooperative extension service of West Virginia University, ex officio. It shall be the duty of the members of such board to meet together at the seat of government at least four times each […]