Tennessee § 47-25-2005 - Complaints — Fines for noncompliance — Enforcement.

§ 47-25-2005. Complaints — Fines for noncompliance — Enforcement.

Upon a complaint by a wholesaler and upon investigation by the commissioner of agriculture and after the commissioner determines that a refinery, supplier or permissive supplier in this state is in willful noncompliance with this part, the commissioner of agriculture may assess fines up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per day for each day of the willful violation. The fines shall be used to pay for the cost of investigation, hearing and other related administrative costs. The remainder of the funds shall be used to fund grants designated by the commissioner of agriculture for the promotion of biofuel research, technology or agricultural development, biofuel production facilities or retail infrastructure and installation for biofuel distribution. Upon receiving a complaint and initiating an investigation, the commissioner or the commissioner's agent, presenting appropriate credentials, is authorized to enter the place of business of any refiner, supplier or permissive supplier in this state during normal business hours to examine, and obtain samples of, such records as may be necessary to determine compliance with this part. Refiners, suppliers and permissive suppliers in this state shall hold the records open for inspection by all officers or inspectors charged with the enforcement of this part, and shall preserve and retain the records for a period of at least one (1) year. If the owner of any refiner, supplier or permissive supplier, or the owner's agent, refuses to admit the commissioner, or the commissioner's agent, to inspect in accordance with this section, the commissioner is authorized to obtain from any state court a court order directing the owner or the owner's agent to submit the premises described in the warrant to inspection. A refinery, supplier, or permissive supplier who is aggrieved by a proposed departmental order to enforce provisions of this part shall be entitled to a contested case hearing to be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. Acts 2009, ch. 523, § 1. Compiler's Notes. For the Preamble to the Tennessee Renewable Fuels Blending Act of 2009, please refer to Acts 2009, ch. 523.