Section 25-38-202 - Creation - Appointment of secretary - Definition(a) There is created the Department of Agriculture as a cabinet-level department under § 25-43-201.(b)(1) The executive head of the department shall be the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.(2) The secretary shall be selected by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.(3) The secretary may:(A) Delegate to the employees of the department any of the powers or duties of the department required to administer the:(i) Statutory duties; and(ii) Rules, orders, or directives promulgated or issued by the:(d) Arkansas Bureau of Standards;(e) Arkansas Farm Mediation Office;(g) Arkansas Forestry Commission;(h) Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission;(j) Arkansas Natural Resources Commission;(n) Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program;(t) State Plant Board; or(w) Other state entities under the department;(B) Hire department personnel, unless otherwise provided by law;(C) Perform or assign duties assigned to the department; and(D) After consultation with and approval from the Governor, establish advisory committees to advise the department on all matters concerning agriculture, forestry, and natural resources.(4)(A) When exercising his or her duties with regards to the State Plant Board, the secretary shall work in consultation with the Director of the State Plant Board and the State Plant Board.(B) As used in subdivision (b)(4)(A) of this section, "consultation" means coordinating with, giving input, reviewing, and recommending, but shall not require approval or consent.(c)(1) By November 1 of each odd-numbered year, the secretary shall provide an oral report to the Legislative Council on the state of the department.(2) The Legislative Council shall schedule an appropriate date and shall give notice thereof to the secretary of the date on which the secretary is to appear before the Legislative Council to make his or her report as required in this subsection.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 189, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 188, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 187, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 186, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 185, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 184, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 183, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 182, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2023, No. 691,§ 181, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2021, No. 501,§ 13, eff. 7/28/2021.Amended by Act 2021, No. 501,§ 12, eff. 7/28/2021.Amended by Act 2021, No. 501,§ 11, eff. 7/28/2021.Amended by Act 2021, No. 501,§ 10, eff. 7/28/2021.Amended by Act 2021, No. 501,§ 9, eff. 7/28/2021.Amended by Act 2021, No. 413,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.Amended by Act 2021, No. 928,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2021.Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 4, eff. 7/1/2019.Acts 2005, No. 1978, § 2.