§ 4:12-11 — Investigation of adequacy of, and requirement of additional, bond or deposit; payments in lieu thereof

A licensee shall make a verified statement of his disbursements during a period to be prescribed by the secretary, containing the names of the producers from whom such products were purchased and the amount due to said producers. The statement shall be submitted to the secretary when requested by him and shall be in form as prescribed by him. If it appears from such statement or other facts ascertained by him, upon inspection or investigation of the books and papers of the licensee as authorized by sections 4:12-14 and 4:12-15 of this Title, that the security afforded to producers selling milk or cream to the licensee, by the bond executed or deposit made as provided in this article, does not adequately protect said producers, the secretary may require the licensee to give an additional bond or to deposit additional money or securities, to be executed or deposited as provided in this article, in a sum to be determined by the secretary but, such additional requirement as provided under this section shall not exceed $100,000.00. Before making a determination on the requirement of an additional bond, money or securities as provided in this section, the secretary shall hold a hearing if requested in writing by the licensee. In making such determination, the secretary shall consider the volume of milk currently being purchased; indebtedness; assets; accounts payable and receivable; sales trends; and other factors he may consider relevant in determining the financial condition of the licensee. The licensee may in lieu of additional bond or deposit of additional money or securities, as provided under this section, offer and the secretary may approve payment to producers on a more frequent schedule than that provided by law. Amended by L.1949, c. 249, p. 801, s. 5; L.1971, c. 83, s. 2, eff. April 8, 1971.