2017 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 96. Agricultural marketing act.
96.17 Nonpayment and enforcement.
96.17 Nonpayment and enforcement.
(1) Any due and payable assessment levied under a marketing order or under s. 96.11 (3) (a) and every sum due under either a marketing order or agreement in a specified amount shall constitute a personal debt of every person so assessed or who is otherwise liable and the same sum shall be due and payable to the secretary or the marketing board according to the terms and conditions of the marketing order or agreement. In the event any person fails to pay the full amount of such assessment or such other sum on or before the due date, the secretary may add to such unpaid assessment or sum an amount not exceeding 10 percent of the amount due to defray the cost of enforcing collection. In the event any person fails to pay any due and payable assessment or sum, the secretary may bring a civil action against such person for collection, together with the above specified 10 percent.
(2) A person who violates a marketing order or agreement shall forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $500 for the first offense, and not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 for a subsequent offense. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.
(3) A person who intentionally violates a marketing order or agreement shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than 9 months or both.
(4) Actions of a marketing board which exceed the articles of incorporation or violate the bylaws adopted by the board constitute violations of the order and the board members are individually subject to the penalties under subs. (2) and (3).
(5) The secretary may apply to a circuit court for an injunction to restrain any person from violating this chapter or a marketing order or agreement under this chapter.
(6) If a handler is not a resident or is not authorized to do business in this state, the handler may designate an agent upon whom service of process may be made in this state. The agent shall be a resident of this state or a corporation authorized to do business in this state. The designation shall be in writing and filed with the department of financial institutions. If no designation is made and filed or if process cannot be served in this state upon the designated agent, after reasonable effort, process may be served upon the department of financial institutions.
