Minnesota Statutes Agriculture (Ch. 17-42) § 18H.03. Powers and duties of commissioner

Subdivision 1. Employees. The commissioner may employ entomologists, plant pathologists, and other employees necessary to administer this chapter.

Subd. 3. Quarantines. The commissioner may impose a quarantine to restrict or prohibit the transportation of nursery stock, plants, or other materials capable of carrying plant pests into or through any part of the state.

Subd. 4. Collection of charges for work done for owner. If the commissioner incurs an expense in conjunction with carrying out subdivision 2 and is not reimbursed by the owner of the land, the expense is a legal charge against the land. After the expense is incurred, the commissioner shall file verified and itemized statements of the cost of all services rendered with the county auditor of the county in which the land is located. The county auditor shall place a lien in favor of the commissioner against the land involved, certified by the county auditor, and collected according to section 429.101.

Subd. 5. Delegation authority. The commissioner may, by written agreements, delegate specific inspection, enforcement, and other regulatory duties of this chapter to officials of other agencies. This delegation may only be made to a state agency, a political subdivision, or a political subdivision's agency that has signed a joint powers agreement with the commissioner as provided in section 471.59.

Subd. 6. Dissemination of information. The commissioner may disseminate information among growers relative to treatment of nursery stock in both prevention and elimination of attack by plant pests and diseases.

Subd. 7. Other duties of service. The commissioner may carry out other duties or responsibilities that are of service to the industry or that may be necessary for the protection of the industry.