Alabama § 2-22-12 - Proceedings Upon Determination of Deficiency in Guaranteed Primary Plant Nutrients in Commercial Fertilizers - Generally.

§ 2-22-12. Proceedings Upon Determination of Deficiency in Guaranteed Primary Plant Nutrients in Commercial Fertilizers - Generally.

(a) If the analysis shall show that a commercial fertilizer is deficient in one or more of its guaranteed primary plant nutrients (NPK) beyond the tolerances as established by regulation adopted by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries pursuant to Section 2-22-20, a penalty shall be assessed in accordance with regulations adopted by the board.

(b) Deficiencies in any other constituent or constituents covered under paragraphs b and c of subdivision (5) of Section 2-22-2, which is required to be or may be guaranteed shall be evaluated by the commissioner and penalties therefor shall be prescribed by the board; provided, however, that in no case shall the penalty exceed the selling price of the fertilizer.

(c) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent any person from appealing to a court of competent jurisdiction for judgment as to the justification of such penalties.

(d) When an official sample of a lot of commercial fertilizer shows a deficiency beyond the tolerance allowed under regulations of the board, a penalty shall be assessed in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board, which penalty shall be paid to the consumer by the licensee, and receipts shall be taken therefor and forwarded to the commissioner within 60 days after receiving written notification of such deficiency and the amount of the penalty from the commissioner. If any consumer of commercial fertilizer which has been determined by official analysis to be deficient and subject to penalty cannot be found, payment of the amount of such penalty shall be made to the commissioner within a period of 60 days for deposit in the State Treasury to the credit of the Agricultural Fund.

(e) Lots of fertilizer in manufacturing plants, on dealers’ premises or elsewhere from which samples are drawn and which are determined to be deficient by official analysis or are not otherwise in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, shall be subject to suspension from sale, seizure and condemnation in accordance with Section 2-22-6. Where any such lot of commercial fertilizer or portions thereof are sold by the licensee before the official analysis report is received by the commissioner and before notice has been given to the licensee of such deficiency, the penalty shall be paid to either the consumer of such commercial fertilizer or to the commissioner as provided in subsection (d) of this section.