Section 54404.5 Of Article 1. Definitions And General Provisions From California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 20. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 1.
54404.5
. (a) Notwithstanding Section 54404.1, if the director
receives a verified complaint that a processor, handler, distributor,
or any agent of any such person or a cooperative bargaining
association or any agent of an association has violated subdivision
(e) of Section 54431, the director shall conduct a hearing within 14
days of receiving the complaint. The director shall issue a notice of
the hearing not less than five days prior to the commencement of the
hearing. The director may, but is not required to, make any
investigation in addition to the hearing. The director shall announce
his or her decision on the complaint within five days after the
conclusion of the hearing and may take any action that is authorized
by this section.
(b) If the director determines that the person against whom the
complaint was filed has violated subdivision (e) of Section 54431,
the director may issue an order fashioned in a manner so as to
expeditiously require that person to comply with the requirements of
this chapter. If the person thereafter disobeys the order, the
director, represented by the Attorney General, shall apply to the
Superior Court of the County of Sacramento in order to obtain a court
order requiring the person to obey the order of the director. The
action shall be handled in an expeditious manner by the court and
given calendar preference.
(c) The costs of the hearing held pursuant to subdivision (a)
shall be assessed by the director and paid for by the party filing
the complaint if the hearing results in a finding that no violation
occurred. The costs of the hearing shall be paid for by the party
against whom the complaint was filed if the hearing results in a
finding that a violation had occurred.
(d) The hearing held pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be held in
as expeditious a manner as possible under Sections 54404.2 and
54404.3. The hearing officer shall use his or her best efforts to
ensure that the hearing will be conducted as quickly as possible
consistent with the requirements of due process and this chapter.
(e) The record from the hearing held pursuant to subdivision (a)
may be introduced by either party to that hearing at a hearing held
pursuant to Section 54404. 1.