(a) Any dealer, handler, processor, or other purchaser of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, and oats who willfully fails or refuses to deduct and pay to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries any assessment required to be so deducted and remitted to the commissioner or who fails or refuses to obtain a permit authorizing the purchase of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, and oats in Alabama shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $25.00 nor more than $500.00 and within the discretion of the court, may also be imprisoned for a term not to exceed six months. Any purchaser of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, and oats 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 his purchases of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, and oats for the purpose of ascertaining accuracy of amounts deducted and remitted as required under this article shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as hereinabove provided.
(b) In addition to the above penalty and notwithstanding the existence of an adequate remedy at law, the circuit court, in equity, or other court of like jurisdiction or any judge thereof, shall have jurisdiction and for cause shown to grant a temporary or permanent injunction, or both, restraining and enjoining any person from buying wheat, corn, grain sorghum, and oats in Alabama without having a valid permit as required under this article or after such a permit has been revoked or from violating any other provisions and requirements of this article. Bills in equity 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 buys wheat, corn, grain sorghum, or oats in violation of the provisions of this article or in the county where such violation occurs. Any restraining order of injunction issued hereunder shall be issued without a bond.
Last modified: May 3, 2021