(a) Any ginner of cotton who willfully fails or refuses to collect and pay to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries any assessment required by this article to be so collected and remitted to the commissioner shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Any ginner of cotton 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 the bales of cotton he ginned for the purpose of ascertaining accuracy of amounts of assessments collected and remitted as required under this article shall also be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
(b) In addition to the above penalty and notwithstanding the existence of an adequate remedy, the circuit court or any judge thereof, shall have jurisdiction for cause shown to grant a temporary or permanent injunction, or both, restraining and enjoining any person from violating any provision or requirement of this article. Actions for injunctive relief as authorized hereunder shall be filed in the name of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in the circuit court or other court of like jurisdiction in the county of residence of the person who gins cotton in violation of the provisions of this article or in the county where such violation occurs. Any restraining order or injunction issued hereunder shall be issued without a bond.
Last modified: May 3, 2021