SB313 Summary

• Authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, with State Board approval, to delegate laboratory testing and analysis to laboratories operated by the federal government or other state governments instead of requiring all tests be performed by department employees.

• Allows test results from federal or state laboratories to be used for enforcement and administration of agricultural laws and regulations administered by the department.

• Permits certificates of analysis from these delegated laboratories to serve as prima facie evidence in court proceedings, with the same legal standing as department laboratory results.

• Changes language in multiple code sections relating to swine disease diagnostics, poultry disease diagnostics, commercial feed testing, seed testing, pesticide residue analysis, weights and measures standards, and petroleum product testing to allow these functions to be performed through agreements with outside laboratories as authorized in the amended Section 2-2-33.

• Takes effect immediately upon passage and gubernatorial approval.