§563. Dealers to obtain permit

            A.(1) All market agencies and livestock dealers shall secure an annual permit from the Louisiana Board of Animal Health for the privilege of conducting business.

            (2) It shall be a violation of this Part to operate as a market agency or livestock dealer without a permit from the Louisiana Board of Animal Health.

            (3) The provisions of this Part shall not apply to farmers or other actual producers of the livestock who offer it for sale either at public stockyards or at a privately owned sales pen or concentration point.

            B. Any person seeking to be permitted as a livestock dealer or market agency shall apply for a permit annually on a form prescribed by the board.

            C. The board may deny, revoke, or suspend any permit for any of the following reasons:

            (1) Material misstatement in the application for the original permit, or in the application to reissue a permit pursuant to this Part.

            (2) Violation of this Part or of a rule or order of the board.

            (3) Allowing a permit issued pursuant to this Part to be used by an unpermitted person.

            (4) Conviction of a crime, an essential element of which is misstatement, fraud, or dishonesty.

            (5) Conviction for violating a law or regulation of another state or of the United States that is materially similar to a substantive provision of this Part or a rule of the board.

            (6) Suspension or other disciplinary action taken by the secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, 7 U.S.C. 181 through 229, as amended, if it appears that the applicant or permittee committed or participated in the violation covered by the disciplinary action.

            (7) Failure to possess the qualifications determined by the board to be necessary for, or failing to meet the requirements of, this Part for the issuance or holding of a permit.

            (8) Any unpaid fines, fees, or penalties imposed by the board.

            D. Proceedings for the denial, revocation, or suspension of a permit pursuant to the authority of this Part shall be conducted in compliance with the board's rules, regulations, and procedures and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

            E. The board may require a person against whom disciplinary action has been taken to pay the reasonable costs incurred by the board for any hearing or proceeding, including its legal fees and stenographer, investigator, or witness fees, and any costs and fees incurred by the board on any judicial review or appeal.

            Acts 2008, No. 920, §1, eff. July 14, 2008; Acts 2018, No. 429, §1.