2019 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
Title 3 - Agriculture and Forestry
§559.29. Offenses; hearing; penalties

RS 559.29 - Offenses; hearing; penalties

A. Any person who (1) violates any of the provisions of this Part or the regulations adopted under the provisions of this Part; or (2) alters, forges, counterfeits, or uses without authority, any certificate or permit or other document provided for in this Part or in the rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this Part; or (3) fails to timely pay the assessments due under this Part, shall, in addition to any unpaid assessments, late fees, or collection costs, be subject to a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for each act of violation and for each day of violation. Each day on which a violation occurs shall be a separate offense.

B. Penalties may be assessed only by a ruling of the commissioner based upon an adjudicatory hearing held in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and the following provisions:

(1) The board shall be convened for the purpose of hearing any alleged violation of this Part or any rule and regulation adopted pursuant to this Part.

(2) The commissioner shall appoint a hearing officer to preside over the hearing.

(3) The board shall make an initial determination on the matter. This determination shall be submitted to the commissioner in writing.

(4) The commissioner may lower or dismiss a civil penalty.

C. In addition to civil penalties, the commissioner may assess the cost of the adjudicatory hearing against any person found to be in violation of this Part or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Part. The commissioner shall, by rule, determine the amount of costs to be assessed in adjudicatory hearings.

Acts 2004, No. 913, §1, eff. July 1, 2004.