14651-14661
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE
SECTION 14651-14661
14651. (a) Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, any violation of this chapter, or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the first violation and not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each subsequent violation. (b) The secretary may, after hearing, refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke, a license or registration for any violation of this chapter or any regulation that is adopted pursuant to this chapter. (c) Upon calling a hearing, the secretary shall hand deliver or mail a notice of the hearing to the licensee or registrant specifying the time and place of the hearing at least 10 days prior to the hearing. The hearing officer may do any of the following: (1) Administer oaths and take testimony. (2) Issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of the licensee, registrant, or witnesses, together with books, records, memorandums, papers, and all other documents that may be pertinent to the case. (3) Compel from the licensee or registrant and any witness the disclosure of all facts known to him or her regarding the case. In no instance shall any employee of Feed, Fertilizer, Livestock Drugs and Egg Regulatory Services serve as the hearing officer in any hearing conducted pursuant to this section. (d) Any person who is denied a license, whose license is not renewed, or whose license is suspended or revoked pursuant to this section may appeal to the secretary. 14651.5. (a) The department shall levy a civil penalty against any person who violates this chapter in an amount of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation. The amount of the penalty assessed for each violation shall be based upon the nature of the violation, the seriousness of the effect of the violation upon the effectuation of the purposes and provisions of this chapter, and the impact of the penalty on the violator, including the deterrent effect on future violations. (b) Upon a finding that the violation is minor or unintentional, in lieu of a civil penalty, the secretary may issue a notice of warning. (c) A person against whom a civil penalty is levied shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing before the secretary, upon a request made within 30 days after the date of issuance of the notice of penalty. At the hearing, the person shall be given the right to present evidence on his or her own behalf. If no hearing is requested, the civil penalty shall constitute a final and nonreviewable order. (d) If a hearing is held, review of the decision of the secretary may be sought by the person against whom the civil penalty is levied within 30 days of the date of the final order of the secretary pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (e) A civil penalty levied by the department pursuant to this section may be recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the state. 14652. (a) It is unlawful for any person to manufacture or distribute in this state any fertilizing material without complying with this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. (b) It is unlawful for any person to adulterate, misbrand, or alter any fertilizing material with the result that the fertilizing material would be inconsistent with the label claims. Any violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine as follows: (1) Not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the first violation that is not a knowing violation. (2) Not more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each subsequent unknowing violation. (3) Not less than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each knowing violation. (c) Any person found in violation of subdivision (b) of this section or subdivision (e) of Section 14682 may also be prohibited by the secretary from obtaining a license to sell organic input materials for three years. 14653. The secretary may seize and hold any lot of fertilizing material which he or she has reasonable cause to believe is in violation of this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. 14654. If the secretary seizes any lot of fertilizing material, he or she shall immediately issue a hold order to the person that has control of that material. The secretary may affix to that lot or package of the material a warning tag which states that the lot is subject to a hold order. 14655. (a) Any lot of fertilizing material for which a hold order or notice is issued shall be held by the person having control of the material and shall not be distributed or moved except under the specific directions of the secretary, pending final disposition pursuant to this chapter. This does not prevent the person who has control of the material from inspecting any seized material or from taking a reasonable sample for evidence while in the presence of a person designated by the secretary. (b) The movement, distribution, or sale of all or part of any product by the person having control of the material that has been quarantined by the secretary, unless the movement, distribution, or sale has the prior approval of the secretary, is a violation subject to a civil penalty as specified in Section 14651.5, or a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). A second or subsequent violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). 14656. Upon demand of the person who has control of the seized fertilizing material, and within 10 days of sampling by the secretary, a subsample shall be returned from the state laboratory to the person in control of the fertilizing material. 14657. If the seized and held lot, as determined by the secretary's analysis, is not in violation of this chapter, the secretary shall immediately release the seized and held lot and remove the hold order. 14658. If the seized and held lot is found to be in violation of this chapter, the secretary shall take either of the following actions: (a) Continue to hold the lot until such time as the requirements of this chapter have been complied with, at which time the lot shall be released. (b) Issue orders for the disposal of the lot in a manner specified by the secretary. 14659. The person who has control of a seized or held lot that is found to be in violation of this chapter may appeal the result of the analysis to the secretary, in writing, within 15 days of receiving the notice of violation. Upon receipt of that appeal, the secretary shall take a further sample of the lot in question for analysis. The cost of sampling and analysis shall be at the expense of the person who requests the further sample. The findings of the analysis on appeal shall be conclusive. 14660. The authority for the issuance of citations is limited to the violations of Sections 14591, 14601, 14631, 14651, and 14655. The secretary shall adopt procedures for the issuance of citations and penalties, upon the recommendation of the board. Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to the procedures adopted by the secretary pursuant to this section. 14661. (a) The department shall be entitled to receive reimbursement from any person who is found in violation of this chapter for any reasonable attorney's fees and other related costs, including, but not limited to, investigative costs, involved in enforcement of this chapter. (b) The department shall use all funds received pursuant to this chapter for the purposes of this chapter.