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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>76298</law_id><section_number>3.2-1001</section_number><catch_line>Powers and duties of Commissioner</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="3.2">Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">General Provisions; Protection and Promotion of Agriculture</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="10">Endangered Plant and Insect Species</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>For the purpose of effectively administering this chapter, the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> may:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Establish programs as are deemed necessary for the management of threatened or <span class="dictionary">endangered species</span>. <a id="paragraph-273919" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-1001/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Accept funds for a special account or other gifts or grants from any source for use in the furtherance of this chapter. Funds collected for services on articles determined by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> to be beyond the scope of this chapter shall revert to the fund from which expended. <a id="paragraph-273920" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-1001/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Enter into reciprocal agreements with responsible officers of other states under which any part of this chapter would benefit. <a id="paragraph-273921" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-1001/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> <span class="dictionary">Issue</span> a permit authorizing the removal, taking, or destruction of threatened or <span class="dictionary">endangered species</span> on the state list upon good cause shown and where necessary to alleviate damage to property, the impact on progressive development, or protect human health, provided that such action does not violate federal <span class="dictionary">laws</span> or regulations. <a id="paragraph-273922" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-1001/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Stop sale, seize, or return to point of origin at the owner&#x2019;s expense, any threatened or <span class="dictionary">endangered species</span> or part thereof if the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> determines the owner has violated any of the provisions of this chapter or the regulations adopted hereunder. Any threatened or <span class="dictionary">endangered species</span> or part thereof seized may be disposed of at the discretion of the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span>. <a id="paragraph-273923" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-1001/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Seek, in those situations where permission to enter property is denied by the owner or occupant, an administrative inspection warrant signed by any <span class="dictionary">judge</span> of any <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> whose territorial <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> encompasses the property to be inspected, authorizing the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> to make inspections or develop other biological data for the proper management of any threatened or <span class="dictionary">endangered species</span>. The issuance of an administrative inspection warrant pursuant hereto shall conform, insofar as is practicable, to the requirements and guidelines set forth in Chapter 24 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/19.2-393/">19.2-393</a> et seq.) of Title 19.2 relating to the issuance of inspection warrants in connection with the manufacturing or emitting of a toxic substance. <a id="paragraph-273924" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-1001/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1979, c. 372, &#xA7;&#xA7; 3.1-1022, 3.1-1024; 1985, c. 326; 2008, c. 860.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
