Section 5920 Of Article 2. Citrus Disease Prevention From California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 4. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 9. >> Article 2.
5920
. (a) Upon establishment of a disease prevention program, any
handler who does not file the required monthly assessment report and
assessments by the 10th day of the month following the month for
which the assessment is payable shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of
the assessment owed and, in addition, 1 1/2 percent interest per
month on the unpaid balance.
(b) Upon establishment of a disease prevention program, it shall
be unlawful for any handler to refuse to collect the assessments or
remit the assessments and the proper reports required by this
article.
(c) A handler shall not charge a producer an administrative fee
for collecting or remitting an assessment.
(d) A producer who disputes the amount of the assessment may file
a claim with the secretary. The producer shall prove his or her claim
by a preponderance of the evidence.
(e) A producer may not bring any claim against a handler for
damages, or otherwise, in connection with the assessment or the
required deduction by the handler of the moneys owed to the producer
as provided in this article.