2016 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 2. Agriculture
§2-19-1. State-federal cooperative agreement - Grading of fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

A. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry may enter into any cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture to certify or establish an inspection service for the purpose of grading fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

B. The terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement shall be the governing authority for the inspection service. The cooperative agreement shall include, but not be limited to, the establishment or certification of an inspection service and the grading of fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

C. To implement the terms of any state-federal cooperative agreement regarding the establishment or certification of an inspection service, the Department may employ personnel to oversee and supervise the inspection service.

D. Personnel of the inspection service shall not be employees of the state for any purpose and shall not be entitled to any state benefits including, but not limited to accrual of leave, insurance, longevity, retirement, unemployment, or workers compensation.

E. The legislature shall not appropriate funds for the operation of an inspection service established or certified to implement a cooperative agreement pursuant to this section. The legislature may appropriate funds necessary for the Department to employ personnel to supervise and oversee an inspection service.

F. Inspection service activities conducted under a cooperative agreement pursuant to this section shall be self-financed. The inspection service shall charge a fee to any person who receives inspection services pursuant to the terms of a cooperative agreement. The fees shall be commensurate to the costs of the inspection service.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 155, § 1, emerg. eff. April 26, 2004.