A.  The commissioner, or his duly authorized agent or employee, may audit the books and records of each certified market participant who has received incentive payments under this Chapter to determine if the certified market participant has complied with the provisions of this Chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated by the board.  Each certified market participant who has received incentive payments shall allow the commissioner, or his duly authorized representative, access to all books and records relating to the application for or receipt of incentive payments, provided any such records, data, accounts, or other applicable documents shall be exempt from La. Rev. Stat. 44:1 et seq.; provided further that such books and records shall become subject to La. Rev. Stat. 44:1 et seq., when the books and records are presented in an adjudicatory hearing which may result in action by the board as provided in Subsection B of this Section.  The commissioner, or his duly authorized representative, shall have access to any such books and records during normal working hours.

B.  The board may assess a civil penalty of up to fifty thousand dollars for each violation of the provisions of this Chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated under the provisions of this Chapter.  The amount of the penalty shall be based upon the severity of the violation and on the amount of incentive payments wrongfully obtained.  In addition to any penalties imposed under this Subsection, the board shall order the return and repayment of any incentive payments wrongfully obtained plus interest at the legal rate from the time the incentive payments were wrongfully obtained until the funds are returned.  Each application for incentive payments under this Chapter may be considered as a basis for individual violations.  Civil penalties shall be assessed only by the ruling of the board based upon an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.  The board shall enforce its rulings by instituting a civil action in the district court of East Baton Rouge Parish.  The board may institute a civil action seeking injunctive relief to restrain and prevent violations of this Chapter, or the rules and regulations promulgated under the provisions of this Chapter, in the district court of East Baton Rouge Parish.  In addition, the imposition of a civil sanction or penalty for wrongfully or fraudulently obtaining incentive payments shall in no way preempt prosecution under any or all applicable criminal provisions of law.

C.  If the board orders a certified market participant to return and repay any incentive payments wrongfully obtained, the return and repayment of the incentive payments shall not create any right or cause of action against a producer for any payments for agricultural commodities made by the certified market participant under any contract with a producer and shall not create any grounds for terminating any such contract.

D.  The board may, after an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, revoke the designation of a certified market participant and terminate the board’s cooperative agreement with the certified market participant if it determines that there was a violation of this Chapter or rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Chapter.

Acts 1990, No. 31, §1, eff. June 20, 1990.