Upon passage of a grower referendum conducted under the provisions of §2-19-132, Code of Ala. 1975, all cotton growers in an elimination area as set out in Rule No. 80-10-12-.05 shall be required to participate in the boll weevil eradication programand to pay an assessment as established by the Foundation. Such assessment shall not exceed the cap established by the most recent referendum.

1. (1) All fees paid by the grower shall be paid at the county FSA office and made payable to the Foundation.
2. (2) Failure to pay all assessments on or before the deadlines established by the Foundation for the current growing season will result in a penalty fee of $3.00 per acre. Failure by a grower to pay all program costs by the deadlines established by the Foundation shall be a violation of this Rule. A grower who fails to pay all assessments, including penalties, within thirty days of notice of penalty, must destroy any cotton plants growing on his acreage which are subject to the assessment within 10 days of notification by the Commissioner. Failure to meet the above requirements shall be handled as provided in §2-19-135, Code of Ala. 1975.

Author: S. Shawn Sibley, Reginald L. Sorrells

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §2-19-128.

History: Filed March 13, 1986. Emergency rule filed August 12, 1987. Amended: Filed November 25, 1987; August 24, 1990. This rule was amended on August 10, 1993, to reflect current program activities. Amended: Filed October 21, 1993; effective November 25, 1993. Amended: Filed November 17, 1998; effective December 22, 1998. Amended: November 27, 2001; effective January 1, 2002.