Existing law provides for the regulation of animals and pests for the prevention and control of disease. Existing law also makes specified actions unlawful and subject to investigation by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
Existing law provides that any person who violates the provisions of law or regulations relating to diseased animals and poultry is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $500 for each violation.
This bill would instead provide that, in addition to any other penalty or fine prescribed by law, any person who violates that law, is subject to an administrative penalty of not less than $100 or more than $1,000 for each violation. The bill would
provide that if the secretary finds that a violation has occurred, he or she shall give the person charged notice of the nature of the violation and an opportunity to be heard pursuant to specified administrative adjudication provisions.