The Department of Agriculture shall have power (1) to encourage and promote, in every practicable manner, the interest of agriculture; (2) to promote methods of conducting the industry of agriculture with a view to increasing the production and facilitating the distribution thereof at the least cost; (3) to collect and publish statistics relating to the production and marketing of agricultural products, so far as such statistical information may be of value to the agricultural and allied interests of the state, and to cooperate with the federal government in the matter of collecting and publishing such statistical information; (4) to publish and distribute the Weeds of the Great Plains book and supplemental inserts thereto, for sale and distribution to the public. All money collected from the sale of the publications shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited as provided in section 81-201.05; (5) to inquire into the causes of contagious, infectious, and communicable diseases among domestic animals and the means for the prevention and cure of the same; (6) to execute and enforce all laws relating to matters within its jurisdiction and to adopt necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of such laws; (7) to employ special investigators who shall be appointed deputy state sheriffs by the Governor and who shall, upon qualifying for such office, possess all the powers which attach to such office, except that their powers and duties shall be restricted to the enforcement of the laws of the State of Nebraska within the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture; (8) to perform laboratory testing services as provided in section 81-2,293; and (9) to enforce the Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act.

The Department of Agriculture may provide (1) data and word processing services, (2) accounting and auditing services, (3) personnel services, (4) records management services, (5) printing, sorting, and mailing services, (6) statistical services, (7) such services necessary to carry out any duties or responsibilities placed upon the department by the Legislature, and (8) other related services in cooperation with, on behalf of, or for any board, commission, or political subdivision of the state or any other agency of the state or federal government.

In conjunction with providing services authorized pursuant to section 81-201.03, the Department of Agriculture shall develop a system of equitable billings and charges for such services. Such system of charges shall reflect, as nearly as may be practical, the actual share of costs incurred on behalf of or for such services to any board, commission, or political subdivision of the state or any other agency of the state or federal government. Any board, commission, or political subdivision of the state or any other agency of the state or federal government which uses such services shall pay for the services out of appropriated or available funds.

There is hereby created the Management Services Expense Revolving Fund. All gifts, grants, and fees or charges collected for such services from any source, including federal, state, public, or private sources, and any appropriation by the Legislature for such purpose shall be credited to such fund. Expenditures shall be made from the fund for the payment of expenses. Such payments shall be made by the Director of Agriculture. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

(1) The Weed Book Cash Fund is created. On July 1, 2005, July 1, 2006, July 1, 2007, July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009, if there are sufficient funds available, twenty-five thousand dollars shall be transferred from the Weed Book Cash Fund to the Noxious Weed Cash Fund. Transfers may be made from the Weed Book Cash Fund to the General Fund at the direction of the Legislature. Any money in the Weed Book Cash Fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

(2) The sale price of each Weeds of the Great Plains book sold by the Department of Agriculture shall be credited as follows:

(a) Seventy-five percent to the Weed Book Cash Fund to aid in defraying the cost of publishing, preparing, and distributing such books and any supplemental inserts to such books; and

(b) Twenty-five percent to the Noxious Weed Cash Fund.