Section 20-1-78

Powers and duties of State Board and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries as to administration and enforcement of article; publication and effective date of orders, rules, etc., adopted by state board under authority of article.

(a) The State Board of Agriculture and Industries is authorized as the administrative agency and is hereby directed:

(1) To make, amend and rescind such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article, including, but without being limited to, such orders, rules and regulations as it is hereinafter specifically authorized and directed to make.

(2) To adopt from time to time such regulations changing or adding to the required ingredients for flour, cornmeal, grits or bread specified in Sections 20-1-73 through 20-1-75 as shall be necessary to conform to the definitions and standards of identity of enriched flour and other products from time to time promulgated by the appropriate federal agency pursuant to the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

(3) To issue an order, to be effective immediately upon issuance, in the event of the finding by the board that there is an existing shortage of any ingredient required under Sections 20-1-73, 20-1-74 and 20-1-75, with the result that the sale and distribution of this product may be substantially impeded by the enforcement of this article, permitting the omission of such ingredient from this product. Whenever the state board finds that such shortage no longer exists, it shall issue an order, to be effective not less than 10 days after publication thereof, revoking such order. Any such findings as to the existence or imminence of any such shortage or the cessation thereof may be made by the state board without any hearing, on the basis of an order of or factual information supplied by the appropriate federal agency (as defined in subdivision (7) of Section 20-1-71) or any similar federal agency. In the absence of any such order or factual information, the state board, upon receiving the sworn statement of any persons subject to this article that such a shortage exists or is imminent or has ceased, shall, within 10 days thereafter, hold a public hearing with respect thereto, at which time any interested person may present evidence in support of such sworn statement, and any such finding by the state board may be based upon the evidence so presented. The state board shall publish notice of any such hearing at least 10 days prior thereto.

(b) All orders, rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries pursuant to this article shall be published in the manner prescribed in subsection (c) of this section, and, within the limits specified by this article, shall become effective upon such date as the state board shall fix.

(c) Whenever under this article publication of any notice, order, rule or regulation is required, such publication shall be made at least three times in 10 days in newspapers of general circulation in three different sections of this state.

(Acts 1943, No. 500, p. 470, §7; Acts 1953, No. 815, p. 1097.)