§730.5. Assessment on strawberries; collection; costs

A. An assessment is hereby levied on all strawberries produced in Louisiana or produced elsewhere and distributed in Louisiana. For all strawberries sold by volume or dry measure, this assessment is levied on each pint, or equivalent, of strawberries in the amount of $.00165 for each pint. For all strawberries sold by weight, this assessment is levied on each pound of strawberries in the amount of $.00185 per pound. Any strawberries sold in increments of pints, pounds, or their equivalent shall be assessed at a prorated assessment for the applicable rate.

B. Louisiana strawberry producers shall pay this assessment at the point of first sale in Louisiana on the containers used by them to hold strawberries. The first Louisiana handler of strawberries produced elsewhere and distributed in Louisiana shall collect the assessment at the point of first distribution in Louisiana.

C. The person responsible for collecting the assessment shall remit the assessment to the commissioner on or before the fifteenth day of the month immediately following each quarter for collections made during that quarter.

D. Any person who fails to pay any assessment due under the provisions of this Part within fifteen days after the payment is due shall be liable not only for the assessment but also for a late fee equal to twenty percent of the amount of the unpaid assessments. Any person cast in judgment for any unpaid assessment or late fee shall pay all costs connected with the bringing of the civil action, including reasonable attorney fees incurred by or on behalf of the board, plus legal interest from date of judicial demand.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 485, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 577, §1; Acts 1990, No. 908, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1253, §1; Acts 2009, No. 24, §8D, eff. June 12, 2009.