MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Agriculture

By: Senator(s) Furniss

Senate Bill 2763

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 69-1-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE AS THE OFFICIAL INSPECTION AGENCY FOR A COMPANY DOMICILED IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN ORDER TO CERTIFY THE GRADE, QUALITY OR CONDITION OF GRAIN CROPS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 69-1-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

69-1-23. (1) The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is hereby designated as the official inspection agency within the State of Mississippi, or for a company domiciled in the State of Mississippi, to certify to producers, shippers, and other financially interested parties the grade, quality, or condition of grain crops. Grain crops for the purpose of this chapter shall be those crops for which standards have been established under the United States Grain Standards Act; namely, wheat, oats, corn, barley, rye, flaxseed, soybeans, grain sorghum, and mixed grains and other crops for which standards may hereafter be established.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce shall have the sole authority to recommend to the U. S. Department of Agriculture the licensing of inspectors for the purpose of carrying out the inspection, grading and certification of grain inspection under the United States Department of Agriculture Grain Standards Act, except that those persons already licensed as of this date under any other authority may continue to operate in their respective designated areas.

 

(3) The Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce shall adopt rules and regulations to provide that any grain producer, submitting grain for sale at any elevator in the state, shall be entitled to have that grain graded by an official inspector. The grain producer shall be responsible for and shall pay the cost of grading such sample.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.