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The department shall establish, operate, and maintain a laboratory for such research activities as are of interest to the functions of the department and for the routine sampling, inspection, examination, analysis, and testing of:

(1)  The quality of materials, commodities, and supplies, in place or severed, employed or involved in any operation of the department; and

(2)  The accuracy, efficiency, and appropriateness of processes, equipment, and devices related to the business and duties of the department.

This laboratory may undertake work of a like nature for other departments of the state at cost when that work is not of such a volume as to interfere with the work of the Department of Transportation and Development when the other departments have not employed consulting engineers or architects whose employment contracts require them to make the tests.  

The making of a ruling or opinion in connection with any work other than the work of the Department of Transportation and Development or the undertaking of any work in competition with engineers in private practice or with commercial laboratories is expressly prohibited.  

The methods and procedures in the laboratory and the equipment, machinery, and devices employed in its operations shall be patterned upon and as consistently as possible conform to the standards as established by the American Society of Testing Materials, the American Association of State Highway Officials, and the Bureau of Public Roads as approved by the chief engineers of the offices of the Department of Transportation and Development.  

Amended by Acts 1962, No. 485, §1; Acts 1977, No. 291, §1.