(a)
Upon establishment of an inspection program, any handler who does not file the required assessment report and assessments by the 10th day of the month following the month for which the assessment is payable shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the assessment owed and, in addition, 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance.
(b)
Upon establishment of an inspection program, it shall be unlawful for any handler to refuse to collect the assessments or remit the assessments and the proper forms required by this chapter.
(c)
A handler shall not charge a producer an administrative fee for collecting or remitting
an assessment.
(d)
A producer who disputes the amount of the assessment may file a claim with the secretary. The producer shall prove his or her claim by a preponderance of the evidence.
(e)
A producer may not bring a claim against a handler for damages, or otherwise, in connection with the assessment or the required deduction by the handler of the moneys owed to the producer.