CHAPTER 101. HANDLING AND MARKETING OF PERISHABLE COMMODITIES

AGRICULTURE CODE

TITLE 5. PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND SALE OF HORTICULTURAL

PRODUCTS

SUBTITLE D. HANDLING AND MARKETING OF HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS

CHAPTER 101. HANDLING AND MARKETING OF PERISHABLE COMMODITIES

Sec. 101.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Handle" means buy for resale, sell, offer to sell, process,

broker, or ship for the purpose of selling.

(2) "Packer" means a person who prepares or packs perishable

commodities for barter, sale, exchange, or shipment.

(3) "Perishable commodity" means fresh produce grown in Texas

and generally considered a perishable vegetable or fruit.

(4) "Person" means an individual, partnership, group of persons,

corporation, or business unit.

(5) "Producer" means a person who is engaged in the business of

growing or producing any perishable commodity.

(6) "Warehouseman" means a person who receives and stores

perishable commodities for compensation.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1251, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 2, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 101.002. PERISHABLE COMMODITIES. (a) This chapter applies

to perishable commodities, whether or not packed in ice or held

in cold storage, and does not apply to perishable commodities

that have been manufactured into an article of food of a

different kind or character.

(b) For purposes of this section, the effects of the following

operations do not change a perishable commodity into an article

of food of a different kind or character: freezing; water or

steam blanching; shelling; chopping; adding color; curing;

cutting; dicing; drying for the removal of surface moisture;

fumigating; gassing; heating for necessary control; ripening;

coloring; removal of seeds, pits, stems, calyxes, husks, pods,

rinds, skins, peels, or similar items; trimming; washing with or

without chemicals; waxing; adding sugar or other sweetening

agents; adding ascorbic acids or other agents used to retard

oxidation; mixing with several kinds of sliced, chopped, or diced

perishable commodities for packaging in any type of container; or

any comparable method of preparation.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1252, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 3, eff. Sept.

1, 1999.

Sec. 101.003. LICENSE REQUIRED. (a) Except as otherwise

provided by this section, a person may not handle perishable

commodities, as owner, agent, or otherwise, without a license or

an identification card issued by the department.

(b) This section does not apply to:

(1) a retailer, unless the retailer:

(A) has annual sales of perishable commodities that comprise 50

percent or more of the retailer's total sales; or

(B) employs a buying agent who buys directly from a producer;

(2) a producer who handles or deals exclusively in the

producer's own products;

(3) a person shipping less than six standard boxes of citrus

fruit in any one separate shipment;

(4) a person who ships a noncommercial shipment of perishable

commodities; or

(5) a person who purchases perishable commodities and pays for

the perishable commodities in United States currency before or at

the time of delivery or taking possession.

(c) A person who purchases perishable commodities without a

license, as owner, agent, or otherwise, does not violate this

section if the person obtains a license not later than the 30th

day after the date the person first purchases perishable

commodities.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1252, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 917, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 2, eff. Sept.

1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.10, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.004. LICENSE OR REGISTRATION CATEGORIES. A person

shall apply for a license if the person:

(1) purchases perishable commodities on credit;

(2) takes possession of perishable commodities for consignment

or handling on behalf of the producer or owner of the perishable

commodities; or

(3) takes possession of perishable commodities for consignment

or handling in a manner or under a contract that does not require

or result in payment to the producer, seller, or consignor of the

full amount of the purchase price in United States currency at

the time of delivery or at the time that the perishable

commodities pass from the producer, seller, or consignor to the

person.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1252, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 917, Sec. 2, eff.

Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 3, eff. Sept.

1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.11, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.005. APPLICATION FOR LICENSE. (a) A person required

under Section 101.003 of this code to be licensed or registered

shall apply to the department on a form furnished by the

department. The applicant shall provide the following information

and certify that the information provided is true and correct:

(1) the full name of the applicant and whether the applicant is

an individual, partnership, corporation, exchange, or

association;

(2) the full name and address of the principal business office

of the applicant;

(3) the address of the applicant's principal business office in

this state;

(4) if the applicant is a foreign corporation, the state in

which the corporation is chartered and the name and address of a

registered agent in this state for service of legal process; and

(5) the length of time that the applicant has been engaged in

business in this state.

(b) In addition to providing the information under Subsection

(a) of this section, each applicant shall answer the following

questions on the application:

(1) "Have you previously been licensed by this state or the

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to handle

perishable commodities?"

(2) "If you answered that you have been previously licensed, has

any license issued to you by this state or the USDA ever been

suspended or revoked?"

(3) "If you have answered that a license issued to you by this

state or by the USDA has been suspended or revoked, when, where,

and for what reason was the license suspended or revoked?"

(c) An applicant's failure to truthfully and accurately provide

the information required by Subsections (a) and (b) is a

violation for purposes of administrative penalty action and may

result in denial of an application.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1253, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 917, Sec. 2, eff.

Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 4, eff. Sept.

1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Sec. 101.006. LICENSE FEE. (a) Except as otherwise provided by

this section, a person applying for a license shall include with

the license application a refundable license fee, as provided by

department rule.

(b) Repealed by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 506, Sec.

5.35(7), eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1253, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 995, ch. 235, art. 1,

Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4284, ch.

682, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 917,

Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 269, Sec.

5, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 419, Sec. 2.43,

eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, ch. 358, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.35(7), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.007. ISSUANCE OR REFUSAL OF LICENSE. (a) Except as

otherwise provided by this section, the department shall issue a

license to an applicant who:

(1) tenders an application;

(2) pays the license fee, if required; and

(3) pays the appropriate fee to the produce recovery fund under

Chapter 103 of this code, if required.

(b) If a previous license of the applicant has been or is

suspended or has been revoked, the department may not issue or

renew a license to the applicant until the department is

furnished with satisfactory proof that the applicant is, on the

date of application, qualified to receive the license for which

the applicant applied as provided by department rule.

(c) The department may refuse to issue or renew a license under

this section if the department determines that a license

previously issued to the applicant was revoked or suspended or

that the applicant has engaged in conduct for which a license

could have been revoked or suspended. In determining whether to

refuse to issue or renew a license under this section, the

department may consider:

(1) the facts and circumstances pertaining to a prior suspension

or revocation;

(2) the financial condition of the applicant as of the date of

the application;

(3) any judgment by a court of this state that is outstanding

against the applicant and is due and owing to a licensee, grower,

or producer of perishable commodities; and

(4) any certified claim against the applicant by a licensee,

grower, or producer of perishable commodities that is under

consideration by the department.

(d) Before refusing an application for a license under this

section, a hearing shall be conducted under Section 12.032 on the

license application, and the applicant may appeal the decision in

the manner provided for contested cases under Chapter 2001,

Government Code.

(e) Repealed by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 419, Sec. 10.09(13),

eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1253, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 739, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(49), eff.

Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 419, Sec. 3.20,

10.09(13), eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358,

Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.008. TERM AND RENEWAL OF LICENSE. (a) A license

expires one year from the date of issuance.

(b) A license may be renewed by completion of a renewal

application form and the payment of the license fee provided for

issuance of the original license.

(c) To renew a license after the license has expired, the

applicant must pay a late fee, as provided by Section 12.024 of

this code.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1254, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 917, Sec. 3, eff.

Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 419, Sec. 2.44, eff.

Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 101.009. LICENSEE LIST. The department may publish as

often as it considers necessary a list in pamphlet form or on the

department's Internet website of all persons licensed under this

chapter.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1254, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.010. TRANSPORTING AGENT OR BUYING AGENT IDENTIFICATION

CARD. (a) In accordance with the rules of the department, a

license holder may apply to the department for a reasonable

number of identification cards for:

(1) transporting agents to act for the license holder in the

transporting of perishable commodities; and

(2) buying agents to act for the license holder in any act

requiring licensing under Section 101.003 of this code.

(b) The department shall collect a fee, as provided by

department rule, for each card and shall issue transporting agent

cards in a color different from buying agent cards.

(c) An identification card must bear:

(1) the name of the licensee;

(2) the number of the licensee's license;

(3) the name of the agent; and

(4) a statement that the licensee, as principal, has authorized

the agent named on the card to act for and on behalf of the

licensee, either as buying agent or transporting agent, as

applicable.

(d) A buying agent or transporting agent shall carry the

identification card on the agent's person at all times. On demand

of the department or any person with whom the agent is

transacting business, the agent shall display the identification

card.

(e) If the holder of an identification card ceases to be the

agent of the licensee, the agent shall immediately return the

card to the department for cancellation.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1254, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 239, Sec. 67, eff.

Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 917, Sec. 4, eff. Sept.

1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1,

1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 419, Sec. 2.45, eff. Sept. 1,

1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 101.011. LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD NOT ASSIGNABLE. A

license or identification card is not assignable.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1255, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 10, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 101.012. REVOCATION, MODIFICATION, OR SUSPENSION OF LICENSE

OR IDENTIFICATION CARD. (a) The department shall revoke,

modify, or suspend a license or identification card, assess an

administrative penalty, place on probation a person whose license

or identification card has been suspended, or reprimand a

licensee or the transporting or buying agent of a licensee for a

violation of this chapter or a rule adopted by the department

under this chapter.

(b) If a suspension of a license or identification card is

probated, the department may require the person to:

(1) report regularly to the department on matters that are the

basis of the probation;

(2) limit practice to the areas prescribed by the department; or

(3) continue or renew professional education until the person

attains a degree of skill satisfactory to the department in those

areas that are the basis of the probation.

(c) If the department proposes to revoke, modify, or suspend a

person's license or identification card, the person is entitled

to a hearing conducted under Section 12.032. The decision is

appealable in the same manner as provided for contested cases

under Chapter 2001, Government Code.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1255, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 230, Sec. 112, eff.

Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(49), eff.

Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 419, Sec. 3.21, eff.

Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 101.013. PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE ON DEMAND. (a) If a

licensee or a person required to be licensed causes a producer,

seller, or owner, or an agent of a producer, seller, or owner, to

part with control or possession of all or any part of the

person's perishable commodities and agrees by contract of

purchase to pay the purchase price on demand following delivery,

the licensee or person required to be licensed shall make payment

immediately on demand.

(b) If a person makes demand for the purchase price in writing,

the mailing of a registered letter that makes the demand and is

addressed to the licensee or person required to be licensed at

their business address is prima facie evidence that demand was

made at the time the letter was mailed.

(c) If the producer, seller, owner, or agent waives the right to

payment of purchase price on demand, the contract for the

handling, purchase, or sale of the perishable commodities must be

in writing. The parties shall prepare the contract in duplicate

and set out in the contract the full details of the transaction.

If the contract does not specify the time and manner of

settlement, the licensee shall pay the full amount called for by

the contract directly to the producer, seller, owner, or agent

before the 31st day following the day of delivery of the

perishable commodities into the licensee's control.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1255, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 11, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.14, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.014. COMMISSION OR SERVICE CHARGE IN CONTRACT. If a

licensee or a person required to be licensed handles perishable

commodities by guaranteeing a producer or owner a minimum price

and handles the perishable commodities on the account of the

producer or owner, the licensee or person required to be licensed

shall include in the contract with the producer or owner the

maximum amount that the licensee or person required to be

licensed will charge for commission, service, or both, in

connection with the perishable commodities handled.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1256, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 12, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.15, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.015. SETTLEMENT ON GRADE AND QUALITY. (a) Except as

otherwise provided by this section, a licensee or a person

required to be licensed shall settle with the producer or seller

of perishable commodities on the basis of the grade and quality

that is referred to in the contract under which the licensee or

person required to be licensed obtained possession or control of

the perishable commodities.

(b) If the perishable commodities have been inspected by a state

or federal inspector in this state and found to be of a different

grade or quality than that referred to in the contract, the

licensee or person required to be licensed shall settle with the

producer or seller of the perishable commodities on the basis of

the grade and quality determined by the inspector.

(c) This section does not prevent parties, instead of an

inspection, from agreeing in writing that the grade or quality of

the perishable commodities were different from that referred to

in the contract.

(d) Failure of a licensee to settle with a producer or seller on

grade and quality in the manner provided by this section is a

ground for revocation of the licensee's license.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1256, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 13, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.16, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.0151. BUYING OR SELLING BY WEIGHT. A licensee or a

person required to be licensed who buys or sells perishable

commodities by weight shall weigh or have the perishable

commodities weighed on scales that meet state requirements.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.17, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.016. RECORDS OF PURCHASE. (a) A licensee or a person

required to be licensed or a packer, processor, or warehouseman

may not receive or handle perishable commodities without

requiring the person from whom the perishable commodities are

purchased or received to furnish a statement in writing showing:

(1) the owner of the perishable commodities;

(2) the grower of the perishable commodities;

(3) the approximate location of the land on which the perishable

commodities were grown;

(4) the date the perishable commodities were gathered; and

(5) by whose authority the perishable commodities were gathered.

(b) The licensee or person required to be licensed, packer,

processor, or warehouseman shall keep records of statements

furnished under Subsection (a) in a permanent book or folder for

a minimum of three years from the date of the transaction and

shall make the records available for inspection by any interested

party.

(c) The licensee or person required to be licensed, packer,

handler, or warehouseman shall:

(1) prepare a receipt detailing the quantity of perishable

commodities received from the producer or owner at the time of

receipt of the commodities; and

(2) on request, provide the receipt to the producer or owner.

(d) The department periodically may investigate licensees,

persons required to be licensed, or persons alleged to be selling

or purchasing perishable commodities in violation of this chapter

and, without notice, may require evidence of purchase of any

perishable commodities in a person's possession or past

possession.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1256, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 15, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.18, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.017. RECORD OF SALE. (a) Except for a retailer, a

licensee or a person required to be licensed shall maintain for

each sale a complete and accurate record showing:

(1) the date of sale of the perishable commodities;

(2) the person to whom the perishable commodities were sold;

(3) the grade and selling price of the perishable commodities;

and

(4) an itemized statement of expenses of any kind or character

incurred in the sale or handling of the perishable commodities,

including the amount of the commission to the licensee or person

required to be licensed.

(b) On demand of the department or of an owner, seller, or agent

of the owner or seller, the licensee or person required to be

licensed shall furnish the information demanded before the 11th

day following the date of demand.

(c) A licensee or a person required to be licensed shall

maintain the information required to be kept by this section for

at least three years after the date of sale.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1256, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 16, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.19, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.018. DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT. (a) For the purpose of

enforcing this chapter, the department shall, on its own

initiative or on receipt of a verified complaint, investigate all

alleged violations of this chapter.

(b) For the purpose of conducting an investigation under this

section, the department is entitled to free and unimpeded access

at all times to all books, records, buildings, yards, warehouses,

storage facilities, transportation facilities, and other

facilities or places in which perishable commodities are kept,

stored, handled, processed, or transported.

(c) The department is entitled to examine any portion of the

ledger, books, accounts, memoranda, documents, scales, measures,

or other matters, objects, or persons relating to a violation

under investigation.

(d) Failure to provide access to records for purposes of

examination, as required by Subsections (b) and (c), is a

violation for purposes of assessment of administrative penalties.

(e) Repealed by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 230, Sec. 131(4), eff.

Sept. 1, 1989.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1257, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 230, Sec. 131(3), (4),

eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 17, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 101.0185. CIVIL PENALTY; INJUNCTION. (a) A person who

violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter is

liable to the state for a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for

each violation. Each day a violation continues may be considered

a separate violation for purposes of a civil penalty assessment.

(b) On request of the department, the attorney general or the

county attorney or district attorney of the county in which the

violation is alleged to have occurred shall file suit to collect

the penalty.

(c) A civil penalty collected under this section shall be

deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the General

Revenue Fund. All civil penalties recovered in suits first

instituted by a local government or governments under this

section shall be equally divided between the State of Texas and

the local government or governments with 50 percent of the

recovery to be paid to the General Revenue Fund and the other 50

percent equally to the local government or governments first

instituting the suit.

(d) The department is entitled to appropriate injunctive relief

to prevent or abate a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted

under this chapter. On request of the department, the attorney

general or the county or district attorney of the county in which

the alleged violation is threatened or is occurring shall file

suit for the injunctive relief.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 230, Sec. 113, eff. Sept. 1,

1989.

Sec. 101.019. VENUE OF CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ACTION. The venue of a

civil action or criminal prosecution instituted under this

chapter is in the county in which the violation occurred, is

occurring, or is threatened or in which the perishable

commodities were received by the licensee, packer, or

warehouseman.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1257, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 230, Sec. 114, eff.

Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 18, eff. Sept.

1, 1999.

Sec. 101.020. PENALTIES. (a) A person commits an offense if

the person:

(1) acts in violation of Section 101.003 by not obtaining a

license or registration or after receiving notice of cancellation

of a license or registration;

(2) acts or assumes to act as a transporting agent or buying

agent:

(A) without first obtaining an identification card; or

(B) after receiving notice of cancellation of an identification

card;

(3) as a transporting agent or buying agent, fails and refuses

to turn over to the department an identification card in

accordance with Section 101.010(e);

(4) as a license holder or a person required to be licensed,

fails to furnish information under Section 101.017 before the

11th day following the date of demand;

(5) as a license holder or a person required to be licensed,

fails to settle with a producer or seller on the grade and

quality of perishable commodities in the manner provided by

Section 101.015;

(6) as a license holder or a person required to be licensed,

transporting agent, or buying agent, violates a provision of this

chapter;

(7) as a license holder or a person required to be licensed,

buys or sells perishable commodities by weight and does not have

the perishable commodities weighed on scales that meet state

requirements;

(8) fails to prepare and maintain records required by Sections

101.016, 101.017, and 101.018; or

(9) fails to provide records as required by Sections 101.016 and

101.018.

(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by

a fine of not more than $500.

(c) A person commits a separate offense for each day the person

acts in violation of Section 101.003 of this code without first

obtaining a license or violates Subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) of

this section.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1257, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 917, Sec. 5, eff.

Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 7, eff. Sept.

1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 5.20, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 101.021. CONFLICT WITH ANTITRUST LAWS. This chapter does

not affect the application of Chapter 15, Business & Commerce

Code. If any provision of this chapter is held to conflict with

that chapter, the entire chapter is void.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1258, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1981.