571.29 Unlawful acts; administrative remedies; criminal penalties. - Florida Statutes

571.29 Unlawful acts; administrative remedies; criminal penalties.

   (1) It is unlawful for any person to use, reproduce, or distribute the “Fresh From Florida” or “From Florida” logos or other logos of the Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign without being registered with the department, or to otherwise violate the provisions of this part or any rules adopted under this part.

   (2) It is unlawful for any person to use, reproduce, or distribute the “Fresh From Florida” or “From Florida” logos or other logos of the Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign on any agricultural or agricultural-based products that are not Florida products.

   (3) The department may enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties against any person who violates any of the provisions of this part or any rules adopted under this part:

   (a) Issuance of a warning letter.

   (b) Imposition of an administrative fine of not more than $1,000 per violation for a first time offender. For a second time offender, or any person who is shown to have willfully and intentionally violated any provision of this part or any rules adopted under this part, the administrative fine may not exceed $5,000 per violation. The term “per violation” means each incident in which a logo of the Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign has been used, reproduced, or distributed in any manner inconsistent with the provisions of this part or the rules adopted under this part.

   (c) Revocation or suspension of any registration issued by the department.

The administrative proceedings that could result in the entry of an order imposing any of the penalties specified in paragraphs (a)-(c) shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 120.

   (4) Any person who commits a violation of the provisions of this part or rules adopted under this part is, for the first offense, guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and is, for each succeeding offense, guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History. s. 16, ch. 90-323; s. 12, ch. 99-391.