https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/Recent content in Chapter 17A — Minnesota Livestock Market Agency and Dealer Licensing Act on MinnesotaLawyer.comHugoen-ushttps://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.01/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.01/This section provides the official citation name for chapter 17A: the Minnesota Livestock Market Agency and Dealer Licensing Act. This name can be used when referring to the chapter in legal documents or court proceedings.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.02/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.02/This section states the purpose of chapter 17A: to protect farmers, livestock producers, dealers, and the public by requiring financial responsibility and fair trade practices in livestock marketing. The Commissioner of Agriculture has jurisdiction and authority over livestock marketing under this chapter.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.03/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.03/This section defines key terms used in chapter 17A, including livestock (which covers cattle, sheep, swine, horses for slaughter, mules, farmed deer, llamas, and other animals), livestock market agency, livestock dealer, and related terms. The definitions determine who must be licensed and bonded under this chapter.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.036/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.036/This section requires every livestock market agency that sells livestock on commission in Minnesota to maintain a separate bank account called a ‘custodial account for shippers proceeds.’ This dedicated account protects the money owed to farmers and producers who consign their livestock for sale.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.04/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.04/This section sets the licensing requirements for livestock market agencies, public stockyards, livestock dealers, livestock dealer agents, meat packing companies, and their agents. Licenses are annual and expire December 31, and a separate license is required for each business location. Licenses must be posted conspicuously at the place of business.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.05/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.05/This section sets the minimum bond amounts that livestock market agencies and dealers must maintain. Market agency bonds must be at least $10,000, though the commissioner can require larger amounts based on financial statements and business volume. Dealer bonds are also required at amounts determined by the commissioner based on the type of dealer business.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.06/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.06/This section establishes the process for filing and resolving claims against a livestock market agency or dealer’s bond. Anyone who claims to be harmed by a bond breach can file a written complaint with the Commissioner of Agriculture. The commissioner holds a hearing to determine if the claim is valid and, if so, directs payment from the bond.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.07/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.07/This section lists activities that are unlawful under chapter 17A, including operating as a livestock market agency, dealer, or meat packing company without a valid license; operating without the required bond; engaging in unfair or deceptive practices; and failing to pay producers promptly. These prohibitions protect farmers and producers from dishonest livestock market practices.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.08/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.08/This section requires all persons subject to chapter 17A to keep accurate accounts, records, and business memoranda that fully disclose all transactions, including the true ownership of the business. The Commissioner of Agriculture has the right to access and inspect these records at any reasonable time and can prescribe record-keeping requirements if existing records are inadequate.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.09/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.09/This section gives the Commissioner of Agriculture authority to establish record-keeping requirements for operators of feeder pig markets. The commissioner can require feeder pig market operators to maintain and keep specific records of livestock purchases and sales as the commissioner deems necessary to protect the public.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.091/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.091/Section 17A.091 is a repealed section of the Minnesota Livestock Market Agency and Dealer Licensing Act. Both subdivisions were repealed — one in 1996 and one in 2001 — and this section no longer contains operative legal provisions.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.10/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.10/This section requires all scales used to weigh livestock for buying or selling in Minnesota to meet state and federal construction, maintenance, testing, and certification standards. Scales must be tested and certified by the state Division of Weights and Measures. The state may also provide official weighing services at livestock markets.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.11/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.11/This section authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture to set fees for state livestock weighing services, which are assessed to the seller. Fees must be uniform at all locations where state weighing is provided. If annual fees collected at any location are insufficient to cover costs, the deficit is assessed and collected from the businesses using the service.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.12/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.12/This section prohibits state livestock weighmasters from having any financial interest in livestock handling, shipping, purchase, or sale, or in employing anyone engaged in those activities, while serving as weighmaster. This conflict-of-interest prohibition is designed to ensure that state weighmasters provide unbiased, accurate weight certificates.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.13/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.13/This section makes it a gross misdemeanor for any livestock weigher to knowingly or carelessly give false weight certifications, accept bribes for improper performance of duties, or neglect their weighing duties. It is also a gross misdemeanor for any person to improperly influence a weigher or interfere with proper access to livestock scales.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.14/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.14/This section sets both criminal and civil penalties for violations of chapter 17A. A first violation is a misdemeanor; subsequent violations are gross misdemeanors. As an alternative to criminal prosecution, the commissioner can impose civil fines of up to $500 for a first violation and up to $1,000 for each subsequent violation.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.145/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.145/This section establishes the process for issuing civil penalty citations to people who violate chapter 17A. The commissioner must issue a written citation describing the violation and giving the person 30 working days to contest it. If the person does not contest the citation, the penalty becomes final. Civil penalties can be pursued alongside or instead of criminal charges.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.15/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.15/This section gives the Commissioner of Agriculture broad enforcement authority under chapter 17A. The commissioner can enforce the chapter, adopt rules, cooperate with other government agencies, issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and compel the production of documents and testimony in investigations and hearings.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.151/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.151/This section requires county and city attorneys to promptly begin criminal proceedings when the Commissioner of Agriculture reports a violation of chapter 17A to them. However, before referring a case to a prosecutor, the commissioner must first give the accused person notice and an opportunity to present their side of the story, either in person or in writing.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.16/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.16/This section allows the Commissioner of Agriculture to seek a court injunction to stop unlicensed and unbonded persons from operating as a livestock market agency or dealer. The commissioner does not need to show that anyone has been individually harmed — simply operating without a license and bond is enough to obtain an injunction.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.17/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-17a/17a.17/This section authorizes the Department of Agriculture to audit the records of livestock packers, including purchase records and weight documents, to check for discrepancies in hot weight and grade and yield transactions. This helps protect producers from being underpaid based on inaccurate weight calculations.