Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture

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Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture

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General information
Office Type:  Non-partisan
Office website:  Official Link
Term limits:  None
Structure
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:  General Statutes of Connecticut, 22-422-1
Selection Method:  Appointed by governor
Current Officeholder

Steve Reviczky.png
Name:  Steven Reviczky
Assumed office:  March 1, 2011
Compensation:  $118,000
Other Connecticut Executive Offices
GovernorLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralTreasurerComptrollerCommissioner of EducationAgriculture CommissionerInsurance CommissionerEnergy & Environmental Protection CommissionerLabor CommissionerPublic Utilities Regulatory Authority

Contents

The Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture is a state executive position in the Connecticut state government. The commissioner oversees the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, which is directed to "encourage and promote the development of agriculture" within Connecticut. The department, under the direction of the commissioner, also publishes research and statistics regarding the state's agriculture industry and enforces various regulations of the industry.

Current officeholder

The current commissioner is Steven Reviczky, who was first appointed in January 2011 by Governor Dan Malloy and took office on March 1. Like all appointed state executives, Reviczky serves four-year terms, and so will come up for reappointment in March 2015.

Before becoming commissioner, Reviczky was executive director of the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association from 2006 to 2011. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Farmland Preservation Program for eight years and in the Connecticut Department of Envrionmental Protection for nine years. Before joining the state's executive branch, he was a special legislative assistant to the Secretary of the Office of Policy Management.

Authority

The office of agriculture commissioner is established by statute.[1]

General Statutes of Connecticut, 22-422-1

There shall be a state Department of Agriculture, consisting of a Commissioner of Agriculture and, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, such employees as may be necessary for the performance of the duties required by the general statutes.

Qualifications

State law requires that the commissioner be "qualified by training and experience for the duties of his office," but does not establish any specific requirements.[2]

General Statutes of Connecticut, 4-46-8

Each department head shall be qualified by training and experience for the duties of his office.

Appointments

Agriculture commissioners are appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by the state legislature. The commissioner serves at the governor's pleasure for four-year terms beginning on the first day of March in the year of his appointment.[3]

General Statutes of Connecticut, 4-46-6

the Governor shall, with the advice and consent of either house of the General Assembly, appoint each department head in the manner prescribed by section 4-7 and section 4-8, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor but no longer than four years from the first day of March in the year of his appointment, unless reappointed under the provisions of said sections.

Term limits

See also: State executive official term limits

There are no term limits associated with the office of agriculture commissioner.

Vacancies

As with all state appointive offices, vacancies in the office of agriculture commissioner are filled by the governor and approved by a majority vote in both houses of the state legislature. If a vacancy occurs while the legislature is not in session, the governor may appoint a replacement to serve until the sixth Wednesday of the next legislative session.[4]

Duties

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This state official-related article is in the process of being updated.


The commissioner of agriculture is the chief executive of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and coordinates and plans its activities.

The Department of Agriculture's responsibilities include both regulating and promoting Connecticut's agriculture industry. It:

  • Establishes standards for the production and distribution of agricultural goods to ensure food safety
  • Oversees and promotes the harvesting of shellfish and other marine life
  • Provides marketing assistance for the goods of Connecticut's farmers and other aid to people wishing to enter the agriculture industry or expand their business
  • Produces statistics and research regarding the Connecticut agricultural market
  • Operates the Hartford Regional Market, a 32-acre facility for farmers and wholesales to sell food.

Divisions

  • Commissioner's Office
  • Bureau of Regulation and Inspection
  • Bureau of Aquaculture
  • Bureau of Agricultural Development and Resource Preservation
  • Hartford Regional Market

Compensation

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

In 2012, the Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture was paid an estimated $118,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.

His salary is determined by law.

Contact info

Address:
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 713-2500

See also

External links

References

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