Board Powers and Duties

The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

(a)The Board shall be responsible for the conservation, development, and utilization of agricultural resources in Guam, and shall assist farmers and others engaged in agriculture, mariculture and aquaculture by conducting research projects, disseminating information, operating a crop and livestock reporting service and a market news service, and by promoting any other means of improving the productivity of the lands.

(b)The Board shall have access to all files and information within the government of Guam relevant to performing its responsibilities pursuant to subsection

(a)of this Section.

(c)The Board shall hold at least one

(1)publicly announced meeting each month to hear complaints and suggestions, if any, from farmers, ranchers, consumers and other interested persons or groups with respect to matters within the duties of the Board.

(d)The Board shall be the governing and policy determining body of the Department. CH. 63 FISH, GAME, FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION

(e)All official submissions of proposals from other departments and agencies to I Maga’håga/Maga’låhi and I Liheslatura related to the development of agriculture on Guam shall be accompanied by comments by the Board.

(f)The Board shall work with the Director of Agriculture toward the planning and implementation of all agricultural programs.

(g)The Department of Agriculture shall provide all necessary services and funding required by the Board.

(h)The Director of Agriculture shall serve as the Executive Officer of the Board with the following authority and responsibilities:

(1)To attend all meetings of the Board and submit a general report of the affairs of the Department; and

(2)To keep the Board advised as to the needs of the Department;

(i)The Director of Agriculture shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Department of Agriculture and other related duties which include:

(1)To administer the Department’s programs and policies;

(2)To see that all rules and regulations of the Department are enforced; and

(3)To select and appoint the employees of the Department except as otherwise provided by law and to plan, organize, coordinate and control the services of such employees in the exercise of the power of the Department under the general direction of the Board; and

(j)The Board shall adopt and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Adjudication Law,

(1)for its own government and

(2)for the purpose of carrying out all other duties, powers, and responsibilities herein conferred.

(k)All rules and regulations adopted by the Board pursuant to this section shall be published and distributed to all village mayor’s offices, the Department of Agriculture, I Maga’håga/Maga’låhi’s Office and I Liheslatura.