(1) The State Department of Agriculture shall file an injunction action in the circuit court for the county in which the handler or person resides or has the principal business office of the handler or person, based upon the findings of the department against a handler or other person whose records have been audited, if:
(a) The handler or such person has not made payment or corrected violations of law or regulations promulgated thereunder as required by the provisions of ORS 583.086 (3)(a) and if such handler or producers have not filed additional information, facts or figures with the department within the time prescribed as authorized by ORS 583.086 (3)(b); or
(b) The handler or such person has not made payment or correction of violations of law or regulations promulgated thereunder as set out in the reaudit as provided by ORS 583.086 (3)(b) and has not filed an appeal to the circuit court within the time prescribed by ORS 583.096.
(2) In any judicial proceeding under this section, the findings of the department as to the facts if supported by substantial evidence, in the absence of fraud, are conclusive and the jurisdiction of the court shall be confined to questions of law. Such action shall be heard in a summary manner without a jury and shall be given precedence on the docket over all other civil cases except those given equal status by statute.
(3) If the findings of the department include a requirement that the handler or person make payment to producers or persons for milk, the court shall order such handler or person to make payment. If the order is not carried out within the time prescribed by the court, then upon motion or notification from the department, the court shall proceed against such handler or person for contempt of court. If the findings of the department include violations of law or regulations, the court may, in the same order, enjoin such handler or person from further violation of law or regulations. The court may take such action as it deems necessary and proper in regard to any complaint filed under this section.
(4) The court may adopt, modify or set aside the decision and the findings of the department. In the case of reversal or modification, the court shall make special findings of the conclusions of law indicating clearly all respects in which the decision and the findings of the department are erroneous.
(5) An appeal may be taken from the order or judgment of the circuit court to the Court of Appeals as in other cases, regardless of the amount of money involved. [1961 c.638 §12; 1979 c.562 §28; 2003 c.576 §523]
Section: Previous 583.085 583.086 583.090 583.095 583.096 583.100 583.105 583.106 583.110 583.115 583.116 583.120 583.125 583.126 583.130 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008