(a) An inspection fee at the rate of thirty cents ($.30) per ton shall be paid on commercial feeds distributed in this state by the person whose name appears on the label as the manufacturer, guarantor or distributor, except that a person other than the manufacturer, guarantor or distributor may assume liability for the inspection fee, subject to the following:

(1) No fee shall be paid on a commercial feed if the payment has been made by a previous distributor.

(2) No fee shall be paid on customer-formula feeds if the inspection fee is paid on the commercial feeds which are used as ingredients therein.

(3) No fee shall be paid on commercial feeds which are used as ingredients for the manufacture of commercial feeds. If the fee has already been paid, credit shall be given for such payment.

(4) On commercial feed distributed in quantities of twenty-five (25) tons or less, a minimum fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per quarterly report shall be paid. A tonnage report and minimum fee is due for each reporting period, even though no distribution of commercial feeds occurred in the state during that period.

(b) Each person who is liable for the payment of such fee shall:

(1) File, not later than the last day in January, April, July, and October of each year, quarterly statement, setting forth the number of net tons of commercial feeds distributed in this state during the preceding three (3) months; and upon filing such statement shall pay the inspection fee at the rate stated in subsection (a) of this section. Inspection fees which are due and owing and have not been remitted to the State Plant Board within fifteen (15) days following the date due shall have a penalty fee of fifteen percent (15%) or twenty-five dollars ($25.00), whichever is the higher, added to the amount due when payment is finally made. The assessment of this penalty fee shall not prevent the board from taking other actions as provided in this chapter.

(2) Keep such records as may be necessary or required by the board to indicate accurately the tonnage of commercial feed distributed in this state, and the board shall have the right to examine such records to verify statements of tonnage. Failure to make an accurate statement of tonnage or to pay the inspection fee or comply as provided herein shall constitute sufficient cause for the cancellation of the license of a distributor. However, no license shall be canceled or revoked before the distributor has been given an opportunity to be heard before the board and to pay the fees owed under this section.

(c) Fees collected shall constitute a fund for the payment of the costs of inspection, sampling, and analysis, and other expenses necessary for administration of this chapter and shall be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Plant Board Fund.