Sec. 22-4a. Delegation of commissioner's authority. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 22-4a. Delegation of commissioner's authority. (a) The Commissioner of Agriculture may designate as his agent any state or regional agency or municipality or employee thereof and delegate to such agent the authority to inspect in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this title, or any regulation adopted, or permit or order issued, by the commissioner pursuant to this title. Any delegation of authority by the commissioner shall be with the consent of such state or regional agency or municipality.

      (b) Prior to the delegation of such authority, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall consider: (1) Whether a potential designee has or can obtain knowledge and training to carry out the delegated authority; (2) whether the delegated authority is within the jurisdiction of a potential designee pursuant to any other statute, regulation or local ordinance; and (3) whether a potential designee has the financial and administrative capacity to carry out the delegation.

      (c) Notwithstanding any delegation of authority pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall retain authority to act under the provisions of this title and any decision by the commissioner shall preempt the decision of a designee.

      (P.A. 95-141, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

      History: June 30 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of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp.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.