Montana § 81-2-109 - Expenses, How Paid -- Lien And Foreclosure

§ 81-2-109. Expenses, How Paid -- Lien And Foreclosure

Expenses, how paid -- lien and foreclosure. (1) If there is no violation of law or department rule, the expense of inspecting, testing, supervision of quarantine, supervision of dipping, supervision of disinfection, and supervision of other treatment of diseased or exposed livestock by the department and the sanitary inspection of dairies, packinghouses, meat depots, slaughterhouses, milk depots, and other premises must be paid for by the department. However, the owner of the livestock or property is liable for all expenses, except the salary of the designated supervising officer representing the department, when the owner, agent, or person in charge of the livestock or property has violated the law or rules of the department. (2) The expenses for which an owner, agent, or person in charge is liable under subsection (1) include: (a) all investigatory expenses, including travel, meals, and lodging of all investigating officers representing the department; and (b) all other expenses, extraordinary or otherwise, that in the judgment of the department are reasonably necessary to ensure that there has been or will be compliance with all applicable laws and rules. (3) The department, at the conclusion of an investigation of a violation, shall serve notice on the violator, informing the violator of all expenses for which the violator is liable. The notice must state that if a response is not sent within 30 days of receipt of the notice, the notice is prima facie evidence of the reasonableness of the expenses and of the violator's liability for them. (4) A showing by the department that a response to the notice required by subsection (3) was not received within 30 days of receipt of the notice is prima facie evidence of the reasonableness of the expenses stated and of the liability of the violator for those expenses. (5) These expenses are a lien on the livestock or other property, and the department may retain possession of the livestock until the charges and expenses are paid. The lien is not dependent on possession and may be foreclosed in the name of the agent of the department by sale at public auction of the stock or as many as may be necessary to pay the sum of the costs, after 10 days' notice by posting in three public places in the county. The lien may also be foreclosed by an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against the owner of the livestock to recover the amount of charges and expenses.