Maine Revised Statutes Title 7. Agriculture and Animals § 3154. Administration

1. Authority of commissioner. The commissioner may enter into agreement with the Maine Milk Commission or other state agency for administering the provisions of this chapter, and may employ such staff and services as may be necessary.

2. Deductions. Prior to the redistribution of the pool as provided in section 3153, the commissioner shall deduct the following:

3. Records and information. The commissioner may receive and utilize such reports and other information from any dealer as furnished to the Maine Milk Commission pursuant to section 2956 for the purpose of administering this chapter. The commissioner may also require any dealer purchasing milk from producers who may be eligible for participation in the milk pool to furnish directly such reports and other information as may be necessary to determine the eligibility of those producers and the extent of their participation.

4. Interest on over-order premiums. Interest earned on over-order premiums paid into the Maine Milk Pool pursuant to section 3153, subsection 2, paragraph C, shall be credited to the pool. At least annually, the commissioner shall pay accrued interest on an equal basis to eligible Maine market and Boston market producers.

In the event that information requested is not adequately provided by any dealer, the commissioner may require producers who may be eligible for participation in the Maine Milk Pool to furnish such reports and other information as may be necessary to determine their eligibility and the extent of their participation.

The cost of obtaining information required to determine eligibility and extent of participation shall be shared by all producers as provided in subsection 2, except that added costs incurred in obtaining information directly from a producer whose dealer does not furnish that information shall be assessed to that producer.

An eligible marketing cooperative, or an organization applying for recognition as an eligible marketing cooperative, shall furnish the commissioner all information, records and reports necessary for the commissioner to determine and monitor the cooperative's initial eligibility and its ongoing compliance with this chapter. In addition to any other available remedies, the commissioner may commence proceedings pursuant to section 3155-B, to revoke the eligible status of a cooperative that willfully fails to provide information, records or reports requested by the commissioner.

The commissioner shall prescribe by rule the form, content and time for filing of any reports which may be required under this section. All reports shall be subject to audit.