Alabama § 2-8-91 - Collection of Assessments; Deductions for Expenses.

§ 2-8-91. Collection of Assessments; Deductions for Expenses.

In the event the required number of soybean producers approve, by a referendum as provided in this article, the levying of an assessment upon the sale of soybeans for a promotional program, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries shall, within 30 days, notify in writing every person engaged in the business of buying soybeans, whether said buyers are located within the State of Alabama or not, that on or after the date designated in such notice, which shall not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days after the mailing of such notice by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, that the amount of the assessment levied pursuant to the referendum shall be deducted by all purchasers of soybeans from the sale price thereof where such soybeans are purchased within the state. The deductions of assessments as required by this article shall be deducted by the first purchaser from the grower of the soybeans. “First purchaser” means any person that buys soybeans from the grower in the first instance, or any lienholder or pledgee, public or private, or assignee of said lienholder, secured party or pledgee who gains title to the soybeans from the grower as the result of exercising any legal rights by the lienholder, secured party, pledgee or assignee thereof, regardless of when the lien, security interest or pledge was created. “First purchaser” also includes any person, public or private, who acquires a lien or security interest or receives a pledge of the soybeans after said soybeans are harvested. On or before the tenth day of each calendar month, all assessments so deducted by the first purchaser shall be remitted to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. The books and records of all such purchasers of soybeans subject to the deductions or assessments levied under this article shall at all times during regular business hours be open for inspection by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or his duly authorized representatives or agents for the purpose of ascertaining the accuracy of amounts remitted under this article. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries shall be entitled to deduct three percent of all sums remitted to the Department of Agriculture and Industries under this article to defray expenses incident to collection and administration thereof. The amount thus deducted by the commissioner for expenses incident to the administration of this article shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Agricultural Fund.