(a) The board has the following powers and duties to: (1) Establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock; (2) Maintain food safety; (3) Encourage locally grown and raised food; and (4) Protect West Virginia farms and families. (b) The commissioner, in consultation with the board, is authorized to establish standards by legislative rule, pursuant to the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seqt. of this code, governing the care and well-being of livestock in this state, including: (1) The agricultural best management practices for the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in this state; (2) Procedures for addressing complaints regarding the inhumane treatment of livestock and coordinating efforts with county humane officers: Provided, That documents and communication regarding any investigation thereof, are considered confidential and are exempt from disclosure pursuant to §29B-1-1 et seq. of this code; (3) Biosecurity, disease prevention, animal morbidity, and mortality data; (4) Food safety practices; and (5) The protection of local, affordable food supplies for consumers. (c) The board shall review any rule proposed by the commissioner for legislative approval pursuant to this section. After reviewing the proposed legislative rule, the board may provide a recommendation to the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee that the Legislature: (1) Authorize the promulgation of the legislative rule; (2) Authorize the promulgation of part of the legislative rule; (3) Authorize the promulgation of the legislative rule with certain amendments; (4) Recommend that the proposed rule be withdrawn; or (5) Reject the proposed rule.
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