RS 3:4160 Failure to pay assessment; penalty - Louisiana Statutes

§4160.  Failure to pay assessment; penalty

A.  Each dairy cooperative association, processor, or distributor who fails to file any report required by the board or to pay the assessment authorized in R.S. 3:557.9 after approval in a referendum of dairy producers within the time prescribed by this Part shall forfeit to the commissioner the amount of the assessment plus a penalty of ten percent of the assessment due, plus one percent of the assessment due for each month, or fraction thereof, of delay after the due date for payment of the assessment.

B.  The commissioner shall collect the penalties authorized by this Section, together with delinquent assessments, by any of the following methods:

(1)  By voluntary payment by the person liable.

(2)  By legal proceedings instituted in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(3)  By seeking injunctive relief to enjoin any dairy cooperative association, processor, or distributor owing such assessment or penalties from operating his business or engaging in business as a buyer of milk solids, milk fats, or fluid milk components until the delinquent assessments or penalties have been paid.

C.  Each person required to pay the assessments provided for in this Part who refuses to allow full inspection of his premises, or any books, records, or other documents relating to the liability of that person or who hinders in any way, delays or prevents an inspection shall be subject to penalties as provided in Subsection D of this Section.

D.  The board may impose penalties not to exceed one thousand dollars per day for each day on which there occurs a violation of any of the provisions of this Part, or the rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this Part.  Penalties may be assessed only by a ruling of the board based on an adjudicatory hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 526, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 2009, No. 24, §8L, eff. June 12, 2009.