25-38-203. Department of Agriculture — Powers and duties.

25-38-203. Department of Agriculture — Powers and duties. (a) The Department of Agriculture shall: (1) Administer the departments, institutions, other agencies, or parts of departments, institutions, or other agencies transferred to the department under § 25-38-211; (2) Coordinate all existing programs and create any new programs that will enhance the marketing of the state's agricultural products to intrastate, national, and international markets; (3) Establish a clearinghouse for collecting, correlating, analyzing, and interpreting marketing and educational information and data concerning the needs of and resources for agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, and kindred industries; (4) Develop a website devoted to marketing and education concerning agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, and kindred industries, including a distinctive logo publicizing products as “Grown in Arkansas”; (5) Encourage the organization of neighborhood and county agricultural clubs and associations; (6) Coordinate the various activities of the department with those of the federal government and other states on matters pertaining to agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, and kindred industries and enter into agreements for that purpose; (7) Coordinate with existing programs concerning agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, and kindred industries with the Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas; (8) Make all contracts and grants and employ, to the extent funds are available, such personnel as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; (9) Assist other departments, agencies, and institutions of the state and federal governments, when so requested, by performing services in conformity with the purposes of this chapter; (10) Establish a uniform allowance program for certain staff and field employees; (11) Prepare and submit annually to the Governor a report of the department’s expenditures and accomplishments, including information from all entities administered by the department; and (12) Designate employees who shall have the powers of peace officers or institutional law enforcement officers in the enforcement of the criminal laws of this state. (b) The department may: (1) Promulgate rules regarding the labeling of horticultural, viticultural, livestock, and poultry products that are edible by humans, including without limitation rice; (2) Receive and investigate complaints regarding alleged violations of the rules promulgated under subdivision (b)(1) of this section; and (3)(A) Assess a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of the rules promulgated under subdivision (b)(1) of this section. (B) A civil penalty assessed and collected under subdivision (b)(3)(A) of this section shall be deposited into the Plant Board Fund.