2016 Mississippi Code
Title 69 - Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animals
Chapter 39 - Agricultural Liming Materials
§ 69-39-17. Penalties for violations of chapter; warnings

(1) If upon official laboratory analysis, any agricultural liming material sold in this state is found to be below the labeled guarantee for calcium carbonate equivalent, neutralizing value, magnesium, available phosphorous, available potassium or above the labeled guarantee for moisture content or screening standards (fineness) as provided under terms of this chapter or regulations adopted hereunder, the commissioner shall impose a civil penalty as provided by regulation for the effective administration and enforcement of this chapter. Such civil penalty shall be assessed to the manufacturer/packer for packaged material and to the final seller holding a permit issued under terms of this chapter for material sold in bulk.

(2) When the commissioner determines that a person has violated terms of this chapter, other than subsection (1) of this section, depending upon the gravity of the offense, he shall assess a civil penalty in an amount not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($ 200.00) and not more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00).

(3) All civil penalties assessed as provided herein shall be paid to the commissioner within thirty (30) days from the date of assessment. Penalties which are not paid in full within the prescribed thirty (30) days shall be considered delinquent and an additional penalty of ten percent (10%) of the balance due shall be added to the assessed penalty for each month such penalty continues to be delinquent.

(4) The commissioner is authorized to apply for and the court may grant a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating or continuing to violate any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated hereunder notwithstanding the existence of other remedies at law. The injunction shall be issued without bond.

(5) Any person required by this chapter to obtain a permit from the commissioner before engaging in business, who shall engage in such business without having first obtained such license or shall engage in such business after such license shall have expired or shall have been revoked by the commissioner, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than Three Hundred Dollars ($ 300.00) and not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($ 500.00). Each day in violation shall constitute a separate offense.

(6) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the commissioner or his representative to report for prosecution or for the institution of seizure proceedings as a result of minor violations of this chapter when he believes that the public interests are best served by a suitable notice or warning in writing.