§290. Procedure for suspending or revoking permit

The suspension or revocation of a permit shall be brought about in the following manner:

A. The commissioner shall have periodic investigations made of the businesses of all persons holding state permits under this Chapter. The secretary of the Department of Revenue, municipal authorities, and sheriffs shall periodically investigate the businesses of all permittees within their respective jurisdictions. When violations of provisions of this Chapter are observed which are sufficient cause for suspension or revocation of the permit, the commissioner, the secretary of the Department of Revenue, or the local authority, as the case may be, shall file an affidavit setting forth the facts and circumstances of the violations. The commissioner shall cite the permittee to appear for a hearing to show cause why his permit should not be suspended or revoked.

B. Any citizen who has for at least six months prior thereto resided in the parish where the licensed premises are located may file with the commissioner, municipal authorities, sheriffs, or parish governing authorities a sworn petition requesting that a permit be suspended or revoked. If the petition is filed with the municipal officers, sheriffs, or parish governing authorities, these officials shall immediately transmit it to the commissioner. When such a petition is received by the commissioner, he shall hold a hearing on the petition.

C. Any trade organization consisting of brewers and distributors of beverages of low alcoholic content, through its authorized representative, may file with the commissioner, municipal authorities, sheriffs, or parish governing authorities a sworn petition requesting that a permit be suspended or revoked. If the petition is filed with the municipal officers, sheriffs, or parish governing authorities, these officials shall immediately transmit it to the commissioner. When such a petition is received by the commissioner, he shall hold a hearing on the petition.

D. No such petition shall be considered by the commissioner unless sworn to by the petitioner in an affidavit which also affirms that the petitioner, together with witnesses, if any, will appear at the hearing to establish the allegations of the petition and unless the petition sets forth facts constituting a cause or causes enumerated in or authorized by this Chapter for the suspension or revocation of a permit.

E. In accordance with the provisions of R.S. 49:961(C), the commissioner may order a summary suspension of a permit.

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 61, §1; Acts 1987, No. 696, §1; Acts 1992, No. 976, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 658, §2; Acts 2011, No. 211, §1.