(a) The Commissioner of Agriculture, whenever he finds after investigation, that any person who operated or is operating an intensive poultry operation regulated under the provisions of sections 22-323a to 22-323c, inclusive, is causing, engaging in or maintaining, or is about to cause, engage in or maintain, any condition or activity which in his judgment may result in the introduction or spread of an environmental or health hazard, may take any action he deems necessary to prevent such environmental or health hazard, including issuing an order, without prior hearing, to such person to discontinue, abate or alleviate such condition or activity. Upon receipt of such order such person shall immediately discontinue, abate or alleviate or shall refrain from causing, engaging in or maintaining such condition or activity. The commissioner shall, within ten days of such order, hold a hearing to provide the person an opportunity to be heard and show that such condition does not exist. Such order shall remain in effect until ten days after the hearing within which time a new decision based on the hearing shall be made.

(b) The commissioner, within available funds, may incur expenditures or contract with any person to discontinue, abate or alleviate the condition or activity.

(P.A. 87-504, S. 2, 5; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

History: June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.