Section 21.91.18. Department of agriculture and land stewardship enforcement procedures.

The bureau shall follow a step-by-step enforcement policy to ensure consistent compliance with and application of this chapter. The department recognizes that violations of certain rules may have more serious ramifications; thus, the enforcement of those rules requires stricter policies. The enforcement policies apply to any violation of this chapter unless enforcement provisions are specifically addressed in a particular rule or subrule.

       91.18(1) If it is necessary to establish proof of a violation of statute or rule, the bureau shall conduct a special investigation of the licensee. The bureau may contact the licensed grain dealer, the grain dealer’s employees, or any other interested party to gain information for the investigation. The bureau, in its investigation of a licensee, may cause a special examination to occur if evidence of at least one of the following conditions is present:

        a.           Insufficient funds check, or failed electronic funds transfer.

        b.           Stalled payment for grain.

        c.           Quantity deficiency.

        d.           Quality deficiency.

        e.           Incomplete or inaccurate records as specified in rule 21—91.11(203).

The expense of such special examination shall be based on actual costs incurred by the bureau and may be assessed to the licensee. The costs shall include the labor, travel and any other additional costs incurred by the bureau. Payment shall be made as directed by the bureau.

       91.18(2) Upon establishment by the bureau of a violation of statute or rule, the bureau shall notify the licensee in writing that the licensee must be in compliance with the department’s rules within a period of time to be established by the bureau. The bureau shall consider the following elements in determining the proper period of time within which to require a licensee to comply with the rules:

        a.           Likelihood of producer loss;

        b.           Gravity of the offense; and

        c.           Length of time within which a reasonable licensee in a similar circumstance should be able to comply with the rules.

       91.18(3) The bureau chief may initiate license suspension or revocation proceedings against the licensee for any violation of these rules. The bureau chief shall consider the following factors in making the determination to initiate the suspension or revocation proceedings:

        a.           Likelihood of producer loss.

        b.           Gravity of the offense.

        c.           Licensee’s intent to violate the rule.

        d.           Licensee’s record of violations of statute or rule.

        e.           Number of violations in the particular report.

       91.18(4) The bureau chief may cause charges to be filed against the licensee for any violation of these rules. The bureau chief shall consider the following factors in making the determination to file charges:

        a.           Likelihood of producer loss.

        b.           Gravity of the offense.

        c.           Licensee’s intent to violate the rule.

        d.           Licensee’s record of violations of statute or rule.

        e.           Number of violations in the particular report.

       91.18(5) The bureau chief may initiate the assessment of civil penalties against the licensee for any violation of these rules. The bureau chief shall consider the following factors in making the determination to initiate the assessment of civil penalties:

        a.           Likelihood of producer loss.

        b.           Gravity of the offense.

        c.           Licensee’s intent to violate the rule.

        d.           Licensee’s record of violations of statute or rule.

        e.           Number of violations in the particular report.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 203.2, 203.9, 203.10, 203.11 and 203.11A.