2019 Tennessee Code
Title 43 - Agriculture and Horticulture
Chapter 8 - Pesticides
Part 1 - General Provisions
§ 43-8-107. Notice given of violations -- Hearing -- Prosecution upon certification of facts.

(a) If it appears from the examination or evidence that this part and part 2 of this chapter or the rules and regulations issued under this part or part 2 of this chapter have been violated, the commissioner may cause notice of the violations to be given to the registrant, distributor, and possessor from whom the sample or evidence was taken. Any party so notified shall be given an opportunity to be heard under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the commissioner. If it appears after such hearing that there has been a sufficient number of violations of this part and part 2 of this chapter or the rules and regulations issued under this part and part 2 of this chapter, the commissioner may certify the facts to the district attorney general or the county attorney or the city attorney for the county or municipality in which the violation shall have occurred, and furnish that officer with a copy of the results of the examination of such sample duly authenticated by the state chemist or other officer making the examination. It shall be the duty of every such attorney to whom the commissioner shall report any violation of this part and part 2 of this chapter to cause proceedings to be prosecuted without delay for the fines and penalties in such cases. Any person convicted of violating any provision of this part and part 2 of this chapter or the rules and regulations issued thereunder commits a Class A misdemeanor.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the commissioner to report for the institution of proceedings under this part and part 2 of this chapter, minor violations of this part and part 2 of this chapter, whenever the commissioner believes that the public interest will be adequately served in the circumstances by a suitable written notice or warning.