§1604.1. Powers and duties of the commission and commissioner

A. The commission shall have the following powers:

(1) To conduct investigations and hold hearings on alleged violations of rules or regulations of this Part.

(2) To advise the commissioner of the requirements involved in eradicating and controlling boll weevils.

(3) To advise the commissioner as to the findings of the commission.

(4) To advise the commissioner on the penalties to be imposed or the injunctive relief to be sought for violations.

(5) To adopt rules or regulations concerning quarantines, eradication zones, movement of regulated articles, regulation of activities affecting the boll weevil eradication program, and such other rules or regulations authorized by this Part.

(6) To call for and direct referendums authorized by this Part.

(7) To set penalties for failure to pay assessments.

(8) To adopt rules or regulations needed for the commission to carry out its duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Part.

B. The commissioner shall have the following powers:

(1) To administer and enforce the provisions and the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this Part.

(2) To enter into any cooperative endeavor or cooperative agreement with any federal, state, or local agency as he deems necessary to further the purposes of this Part.

(3) To call, arrange, and manage any referendum under the direction of the commission.

(4) To collect, administer, and disburse the proceeds of the assessment levied and collected pursuant to this Part.

(5) To enter property to conduct inspections, examine and copy records, and carry out suppression or eradication activities as provided in this Part.

(6) To make final determinations regarding violations of any provision of this Part or of the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this Part and to impose penalties for any such violations.

(7) To institute civil proceedings to enforce orders or rulings or other civil relief to collect any assessments, late fees, fines, penalties or costs due under this Part or otherwise enforce the provisions of this Part or rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this Part.

(8) To exercise any power authorized by this Part and to adopt rules or regulations necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Part.

Acts 2008, No. 64, §1, eff. June 5, 2008.