§1494. Powers and duties

            A. The board shall:

            (1) Advise the commissioner on the development and maintenance of the Louisiana Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Program.

            (2) Maintain a permanent record of its proceedings.

            (3) Submit an annual report of its activities to the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development by January thirty-first of each year.

            B. The board may:

            (1) Provide information to governmental entities upon request on subjects of concern to the industrial hemp industry and collaborate with the state or federal government on the development and administration of the program.

            (2) Cooperate with any local, state, regional, or national organization or agency engaged in activities consistent with the objectives of the program.

            (3) Make recommendations to the House and Senate committees on agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and rural development on legislation relative to the regulation of industrial hemp.

            C. The commissioner may:

            (1) Adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to administer the program. All rules and regulations shall be adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

            (2) Enter into contracts or other agreements to accomplish any purpose authorized by this Part, including advertising, education, marketing, promotion, research, or services.

            Acts 2022, No. 462, §1.