(a) Any dealer, handler, processor, buyers or other distributors of catfish feed who willfully fails or refuses to deduct and pay to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries any assessment required to be so deducted and remitted to the commissioner shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, in addition to other penalty provided by law, shall be fined in an amount equal to three times the amount of the assessment he failed or refused to collect and remit as required under this article. Any distributor of catfish feed who fails or refuses to allow the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or his authorized agents and employees to inspect and review his books and records which disclose his distributed or manufactured tonnage of catfish feed for the purpose of ascertaining the accuracy of amounts deducted and remitted as required under this article shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor. The amount of any fine under this article shall be remitted to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and shall be forthwith transferred by the commissioner to the account of the certified association entitled thereto.
(b) In addition to the above penalty, the circuit court or any judge thereof shall have jurisdiction, for cause shown, to grant a temporary restraining order or permanent injunction or both, restraining and enjoining any person from distributing and manufacturing catfish feed in Alabama in violation of the provisions of this article. Petitions for injunctive relief as authorized under this subsection shall be filed in the name of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in the circuit court in the county of residence of the person who distributes or manufactures catfish feed in violation of the provisions of this article or in the county where such violation occurs. Any temporary restraining order or permanent injunction issued under this subsection shall be issued without a bond.
Structure Code of Alabama
Chapter 8 - Promotion of Agricultural Industries and Products.
Section 2-8-270 - Legislative Purpose and Intent.
Section 2-8-271 - Authorized Activities Not Illegal or in Restraint of Trade.
Section 2-8-272 - Referendum and Assessments Declared to Be in Public Interest.
Section 2-8-275 - Authority of Certified Association to Conduct Referendum on Assessment.
Section 2-8-276 - Notice of Referendum.
Section 2-8-277 - Conduct of Referendum; Payment of Expense.
Section 2-8-278 - Eligibility to Vote in Referendum; Question to Be Voted On.
Section 2-8-280 - Subsequent Referendums.
Section 2-8-281 - Collection of Assessments; Deductions for Expenses.
Section 2-8-282 - Remission of Collections to Treasurer of Association.
Section 2-8-283 - Refund of Assessment to Purchaser of Catfish Feed.
Section 2-8-284 - Exempt Sales.
Section 2-8-285 - Bond of Treasurer of Association.
Section 2-8-286 - Expenditure of Assessments.
Section 2-8-287 - Joint Programs With Other States.
Section 2-8-289 - Rules and Regulations.
Section 2-8-290 - Enforcement Duties of Commissioner; Revocation of Certification of Association.