§2-19-135. Failure to pay assessments.

(a) A cotton grower who fails to pay, when due and upon reasonable notice, any assessment levied under this article, shall be subject to a per acre penalty as established in the board's regulations, in addition to the assessment.

(b) A cotton grower who fails to pay all assessments, including penalties, within 30 days of notice of penalty, shall destroy any cotton plants growing on his acreage which is subject to the assessment. Any such cotton plants which are not destroyed shall be deemed to be a public nuisance, and said public nuisance may be abated in the same manner as any public nuisance. The commissioner, with approval of the Attorney General, and upon the relation of the Attorney General, may apply to the circuit court of the judicial circuit in which the public nuisance is located to have said nuisance condemned and destroyed with all costs of destroying to be taxed against the grower. This injunctive relief shall be available to the commissioner notwithstanding the existence of any other legal remedy and the commissioner shall not be required to file a bond.

(c) All assessments and penalties not paid by the cotton grower within 30 days of notice of penalty shall constitute and operate as a lien until paid, which shall be of equal dignity with liens for taxes owed the state. The commissioner is authorized to collect said assessments and penalties in the same manner as tax liens are collected by the state against delinquent taxpayers.

(Acts 1984, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 84-786, p. 170, §16; Acts 1987, No. 87-624, p. 1110, §2.)