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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>358404</law_id><section_number>3.2-901</section_number><catch_line>Powers and duties of Commissioner</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="5" 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="9" identifier="9">Nuisance Birds</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> shall conduct investigations and surveys to determine economic losses or public nuisances caused by <span class="dictionary">nuisance birds</span> and may develop a plan of action when he has determined that they are causing or about to cause economic losses in the Commonwealth, are detrimental to the public health and welfare, or otherwise create a public nuisance. <a id="paragraph-1333494" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-901/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> may provide technical assistance to <span class="dictionary">persons</span> for the suppression of any <span class="dictionary">nuisance birds</span> when it has been determined that they are defacing or defiling public or private property. <a id="paragraph-1333495" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-901/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> may appoint an advisory committee to evaluate <span class="dictionary">facts</span> in any particular situation and to make recommendations to him on the course of action. Plan of action programs shall be selected and executed so as to protect human life, other birds, and wildlife. <a id="paragraph-1333496" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-901/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> may upon receipt of a complaint of a nuisance bird problem from an individual property owner, tenant, or sharecropper, make an investigation and determine the degree of assistance required. If after such investigation the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> finds suppression necessary, he shall recommend acceptable means and methods. <a id="paragraph-1333497" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-901/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> may provide assistance and cooperate with federal agencies, other state agencies, other states, political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and <span class="dictionary">persons</span> in the exercise of the duties imposed upon him by this chapter. Any plan of action conducted by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> under the provisions of this chapter shall be consistent with other applicable state and federal <span class="dictionary">laws</span>. Money accepted from any cooperator or <span class="dictionary">person</span> shall be deposited to a special nuisance bird fund to be expended in the enforcement of this chapter. <a id="paragraph-1333498" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-901/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1968, c. 64, &#xA7;&#xA7; 3.1-1013, 3.1-1014, 3.1-1015, 3.1-1019; 2008, c. 860.</history><metadata><court_decisions><item key="0"><name>Melissa Nanette Diaz v. Commonwealth of Virginia</name><case_number>0056231</case_number><citation></citation><date>2024-02-27</date><url>https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9478587/melissa-nanette-diaz-v-commonwealth-of-virginia/</url><abstract> .&#x202F;.&#x202F;. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .&#x202F;.&#x202F;. </abstract><court_html><abbr title="Court of Appeals">COA</abbr></court_html></item></court_decisions></metadata></law>
