Louisiana § RS 3:1430.11 - Deficiency assessments; penalties; injunctive relief

§ RS 3:1430.11. Deficiency assessments; penalties; injunctive relief

A.  The commission may impose the following deficiency assessments for the following violations:

(1)  The deficiency assessments for the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of solid materials which do not meet the standard for neutralizing value shall be one percent of the invoice price of the lot from which the sample was taken for each percentage point, or fraction of a percentage point, of the total weight of the lot, by which the material fails to meet the standard.

(2)  The deficiency assessments for the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of solid materials which do not meet the standard for magnesium content shall be one and one-half percent of the invoice price of the lot from which the sample was taken for each percentage point, or fraction of a percentage point, of the total weight of the lot by which the material fails to meet the standard.

(3)  The deficiency assessments for the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of solid materials which do not meet the standard for moisture content shall be one and one-half percent of the invoice price of the lot from which the sample was taken for each percentage point, or fraction of a percentage point, of the total weight of the lot, by which the material fails to meet the standard.

(4)  The deficiency assessments for the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of solid or suspension materials which do not meet screen standard shall be one percent of the invoice price of the lot from which the sample was taken for each percentage point, or fraction of a percentage point, of the total weight of the lot, by which the material fails to meet the standard.

(5)  The deficiency assessments for the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of liquid or suspension materials which do not meet the standard for neutralizing value shall be one and one-half percent of the invoice price of the lot from which the sample was taken for each percentage point, or fraction of a percentage point, of the total weight of the lot, by which the material fails to meet the standard.

(6)  The deficiency assessments for the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of liquid or suspension materials which do not meet the standard for magnesium content shall be two percent of the invoice price of the lot from which the sample was taken for each percentage point, or fraction of a percentage point, of the total weight of the lot, by which the material fails to meet the standard.

B.  The minimum penalty for the violations set forth in Subsection A of this Section shall be ten dollars.  The maximum penalty for the violations set forth in Subsection A of this Section shall be an amount equal to twice the invoice price of the lot from which the sample was taken.

C.  When the commission has evidence which indicates that a person has committed an offense for which the deficiency assessment is found in Subsections A through D of this Section, the commission shall notify the person, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the facts involved in the alleged offense and the penalty set forth in Subsections A through D of this Section for the alleged offense.  If the alleged violator contests the deficiency assessment in writing within fifteen days of the notice, the commissioner shall call a hearing to adjudicate the matter as provided in Subsection G of this Section.  An appeal from a deficiency assessment shall be heard and decided in the same manner as provided for in this Section for the assessment of civil penalties.

D.  All deficiency assessments assessed under this Section shall be paid by the person owing the assessment within thirty days of notice by the commissioner if the deficiency assessment is not contested and within thirty days of notice of the final decision if the assessment is contested.

E.  The commission may assess a civil penalty for violations of R.S. 3:1430.10(3) and (4) in an amount equal to four times the value of the missing material.  The value of the missing material shall be determined based on the price of the material as shown on the invoice.  The commission may assess a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for any other violation of the prohibitions set forth in R.S. 3:1430.10.  Each day on which a violation occurs shall be considered a separate offense.

F.  The commission may suspend or revoke the registration of any agricultural liming material for any violation of the provisions of this Subpart or of the rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this Subpart.

G.  Civil penalties may be assessed, and registrations may be suspended or revoked, only by a ruling by the commission based on an adjudicatory hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

H.  The commissioner may institute civil proceedings to enforce his rulings in the district court for the parish in which the violation occurred.

I.  The commissioner may institute civil proceedings seeking injunctive relief to restrain and prevent the violation of the provisions of this Subpart or of the rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this Subpart in the district court for the parish in which the violation occurred.

Acts 2010, No. 579, §1.