2019 Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XXVI - Trade and Commerce
Chapter 411 - Missouri Grain Warehouse Law
Section 411.180 Right of examination, audit and inspection — confidential information, penalty for disclosure — subpoena powers of director — director to investigate complaints, when.

Effective 02 Apr 1997, see footnote

411.180. Right of examination, audit and inspection — confidential information, penalty for disclosure — subpoena powers of director — director to investigate complaints, when. — 1. The director or his authorized representative may examine, audit and inspect every licensed grain warehouse, or persons whom the director has reasonable cause to believe should be licensed under this chapter, the business thereof, and the mode of conducting the same at such times as he may deem necessary; and the property, books, records, accounts, papers, and the proceedings pertaining to the operations of these warehouses, so far as they may relate to the operation or management of public storage, and to the ability of the warehouseman to meet his grain and dollar obligations shall be subject to examination and inspection by the director, or his authorized agent. Such books, accounts, records and papers of every grain warehouseman shall at all times during normal business hours be subject to inspection as prescribed by the director.

2. The director may perform such inspections as are deemed necessary for the orderly administration of this chapter based upon reports and other information available to him.

3. Every grain warehouseman and his employees, agents, officers, partners, directors and shareholders shall cooperate and hold themselves available to assist in the examination, including allowing full and reasonable use of sampling and grading equipment. Failure or refusal to cooperate or assist is a violation of this chapter and a basis for the suspension of a public grain warehouseman's license.

4. No inspector or employee of the department shall disclose any information obtained by him in the course of his employment relative to the affairs or transactions of any warehouseman, other than as permitted by this chapter, without first having obtained the express permission in writing of such warehouseman, or of the director; provided, that the director may, upon written application of any person, disclose or direct any inspector or employee of the department to disclose any information which, in the opinion of the director, the person applying for the same is entitled to receive. If any such inspector or employee shall disclose any such information except as permitted by this chapter, he is guilty of a misdemeanor. This section shall not prevent the taking of sworn testimony at a public hearing with respect to violations of this chapter or regulations promulgated hereunder.

5. The director is hereby authorized to issue subpoena duces tecum to any financial institution, or to any other type of business entity, to deliver any and all records of the licensee, or any and all records kept pertaining to the licensee, or of any person who in the opinion of the director may need to be licensed. Such financial institutions, or other business entities, are hereby authorized and required to deliver any and all such records to the director notwithstanding any law to the contrary. This section applies to persons or individual accounts or transactions as well as to corporate records where the licensee, or person who in the opinion of the director needs to be licensed, is conducting business in corporate form.

6. The director shall, upon the verified complaint in writing of any person setting forth facts which, if proved, would be in violation of the provisions of chapter 411, or regulations promulgated hereunder or would constitute grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of a license under this chapter, investigate the actions of any person applying for, holding or claiming to hold a license; provided that the director is not required to investigate any complaint which does not appear to have a reasonable basis.

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(RSMo 1939 § 14652, A.L. 1941 p. 373 § 41, A.L. 1965 p. 606, A.L. 1977 S.B. 75, A.L. 1980 S.B. 601, A.L. 1986 H.B. 1578, A.L. 1997 H.B. 211)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 13352; 1919 § 6024; 1909 § 6800

Effective 4-02-97