47-1506. Powers and duties of the animal health commissioner. (a) The animal health commissioner shall have the power to: (1) Receive applications for feedlot licenses; (2) issue licenses to qualifying applicants; (3) make and enforce reasonable regulations pertaining to the operation of feedlots, within the framework of the standards set forth in this act, and acts amendatory and supplemental thereto; (4) make rules of procedure for the administration and enforcement of this act; and (5) determine adequateness of the compliance with the requirements fixed in standards prescribed in this act.

(b) The commissioner shall have the duty to: (1) Prepare, design and have printed application forms which shall be available to feedlot operators and to applicants for such a license. Such forms shall provide for answers and statements by applicants, to disclose whether such applicants can, and are capable of complying with standards of operation set forth in this act, and as set forth in the regulations made by such commissioner under authority of this act; (2) keep, maintain and compile all necessary records; and (3) undertake and carry through research studies, investigations and surveys which are needed and required for the proper administration of this act.

(c) The commissioner shall have the power to call upon the university of Kansas and Kansas state university for aid and assistance in conducting such research studies and surveys.

(d) The commissioner, or authorized agents or employees, are authorized to investigate all complaints concerning the operation of feedlots within the state of Kansas when an operator of such a feedlot is charged with any violations of the provisions of this act. The commissioner shall have the power to enter upon feedlot premises and to investigate the methods of operation of all such feedlots.

(e) The commissioner shall have the power and the duty to suspend or revoke the license of any feedlot operator after a hearing and after an administrative determination that such an operator has violated, or has failed to comply with any of the provisions of this act, or any regulation adopted thereunder. The commissioner shall have the power and duty to reinstate any such suspended or revoked licenses, upon a satisfactory and acceptable showing and assurance that such feedlot operator conducted feedlot operations in conformity with, and in compliance with, the provisions of this act and regulations adopted thereunder, and that such conformity and compliance will be continuous. A feedlot license shall not be suspended or revoked by the commissioner, until charges have been submitted, in writing, concerning alleged violations, and until the licensee shall have been given an opportunity to be heard in such licensee's defense in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act.

History: L. 1963, ch. 287, § 6; L. 1988, ch. 356, § 156; L. 2012, ch. 140, § 93; July 1.