§ 247. Power of commissioner to investigate. The commissioner and his
or her authorized representatives shall have access to and may enter at
all reasonable hours all places where farm products are being held,
packaged, processed or stored, or where such farm products are being
bought, sold or handled, and shall have access to the books, papers,
records and documents relating to transactions involving farm products,
and shall have the power to inspect and copy the same, and may take
testimony under oath concerning any matter related to the administration
and enforcement of this article. Any information relating to the
business disclosed by such investigation shall be held by the
commissioner as confidential except that such information may be
disclosed in the administration and enforcement of this article. In the
event any person refuses the commissioner or his or her authorized
representatives access to any premises, the commissioner may apply to
the state supreme court for an administrative inspection warrant which
shall be granted upon a showing by the commissioner that the premises
sought to be inspected are or may be utilized by such person to conduct
any activity subject to regulation under this article.