Ohio Code 901.27 – Investigations
For the purpose of making any investigation with regard to any company, firm, corporation, person, association, or copartnership, subject to the laws which the department of agriculture is required to administer, the director of agriculture may appoint, by an order in writing, an agent whose duty shall be prescribed in such order. In the discharge of his duties such agent shall have every power of an inquisitorial nature granted to the director and the same powers as a notary public with regard to the taking of depositions. Except in his report to the director or when called on to testify in any court proceedings, no such agent shall divulge any information acquired by him in respect to the transaction, property, or business of any company, firm, corporation, person, association, or copartnership while acting or claiming to act under such order. Any agent who divulges information in contravention of this section shall be disqualified from acting as such agent in any other capacity under the appointment or employment of the director.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 901.27
- agriculture: includes farming; ranching; aquaculture; algaculture meaning the farming of algae; apiculture and related apicultural activities, production of honey, beeswax, honeycomb, and other related products; horticulture; viticulture, winemaking, and related activities; animal husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine, and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or mushrooms; timber; pasturage; any combination of the foregoing; the processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products when those activities are conducted in conjunction with, but are secondary to, such husbandry or production; and any additions or modifications to the foregoing made by the director of agriculture by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. See Ohio Code 1.61
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures; this provision does not affect any law relating to signatures. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Property: means real and personal property. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
Any number of investigations may be conducted contemporaneously.