S711 - NC Farm Act of 2018. (SL 2018-113)

Overview: Sec. 1 of S.L. 2018-113 repeals the North Carolina Handler's Act (Article 44 of Chapter 106 of the General Statutes) and enacts the Fruit and Vegetable Handlers Registration Act. The Fruit and Vegetable Handlers Registration Act requires a handler, prior to conducting business in North Carolina, to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by providing (i) the handler's name, (ii) the handler's principal place of business, (iii) the type of fruits and vegetables handled by the handler, and (iv) the annual volume, in dollars, or fruits and vegetables handled by the handler in North Carolina. The annual volume, in dollars, of fruits and vegetables handled in the State must be updated by February 1 of each year. The Commissioner of Agriculture may assess a civil penalty of up to $100 per violation of the Article or rules directed thereunder after 15 days' notice is given to the handler, and may seek an injunction for failure to comply with the Article.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 25, 2018, and that veto was overridden by the General Assembly on June 27, 2018. This section becomes effective January 1, 2019 and applies to handlers conducting business in the State on or after that date.