Section 20-60-206 - Secretary of the Department of Agriculture - Powers and duties - State Meat Inspection Program(a)(1)(A) The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture shall promulgate rules and appoint qualified personnel as necessary to carry out the purposes or provisions of this subchapter.(B) The rules shall be in conformity with the rules and regulations under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. § 601 et seq., as in effect on January 1, 2021, and with subsequent amendments of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. § 601 et seq., unless the rules and regulations under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. § 601 et seq., are considered by the secretary as not to be in accord with the objectives of this subchapter.(2)(A) Notice of proposed rules shall be given to all establishments licensed under this subchapter.(B) A hearing shall be called by the secretary at which proponents and opponents of the proposed rules shall be given the opportunity to present arguments supporting their positions.(C) The time, place, and procedure for the hearing shall be determined by the secretary.(D) A proposed rule shall not become effective until after the hearing.(b) The secretary may cooperate with the United States Government in carrying out the provisions of this subchapter and the Federal Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. § 601 et seq., as in effect on January 1, 2021.(c) The secretary shall: (1) Create a program to be known as the "State Meat Inspection Program" within the Department of Agriculture to perform inspections required by this subchapter;(2) Consult with the meat and meat food products industry, including the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, as well as the Department of Health, when developing the procedures, rules, and policies regarding the program;(3) Hire inspectors to inspect:(A) Livestock that are subject to inspection under this subchapter;(B) Livestock carcasses, parts of livestock carcasses, meat, and meat food products; and(C) Sanitary conditions of official establishments in which meat and meat food products are prepared; and(4) Designate at least eight (8) inspectors.Amended by Act 2021, No. 418,§ 2, eff. 3/23/2021.Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2210, eff. 7/24/2019.Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5075, eff. 7/1/2019.Acts 1967, No. 320, §§ 14, 15; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 82-2014, 82-2015.