This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to assess administrative penalties for violations of the laws governing agriculture and animals and certain provisions of the Maine Weights and Measures Law. Under the bill, penalties may not exceed $5,000 for each occurrence and may not exceed $50,000 in total. The bill requires that a person be given notice of the penalties assessed and be given an opportunity to request a hearing before the penalty is imposed. The bill establishes procedures for providing notice, holding hearings and remedies that the commissioner may use when a person fails to pay a penalty imposed. These remedies include allowing the commissioner to file a civil action to enforce penalties and, in cases when the Maine Weights and Measures Law has been violated, allowing the department to require a person to pay any unpaid penalties before renewing a license issued by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and allowing enforcement by the Superior Court in cases when the person does not have a license issued by the department.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 88, HP 52: 10.2751