2-10,103.01.

Nursery stock distributor; disciplinary actions; procedures.

(1) A nursery stock distributor may be placed on probation requiring such person to comply with the conditions set out in an order of probation issued by the director or be ordered to cease and desist from failing to comply or be ordered to pay an administrative fine pursuant to section 2-10,103.02 after:

(a) The director determines the nursery stock distributor has not complied with section 2-10,103;

(b) The nursery stock distributor is given written notice to comply and written notice of the right to a hearing to show cause why the specified order should not be issued; and

(c) The director finds that issuing the specified order is appropriate based on the hearing record or the available information if the hearing is waived by the nursery stock distributor.

(2) A nursery stock distributor may be suspended after:

(a) The director determines the nursery stock distributor has not complied with section 2-10,103;

(b) The nursery stock distributor is given written notice to comply and written notice of the right to a hearing to show cause why the license should not be suspended; and

(c) The director finds that issuing an order suspending the license is appropriate based on the hearing record or the available information if the hearing is waived by the nursery stock distributor.

(3) A license may be immediately suspended and the director may order the nursery stock distributor's operation to cease prior to hearing when:

(a) The director determines an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare exists; and

(b) The nursery stock distributor receives written notice to comply and written notice of the right to a hearing to show cause why the suspension should not be sustained. Within fifteen days after the suspension, the nursery stock distributor may request in writing a date for a hearing and the director shall consider the interests of the nursery stock distributor when the director establishes the date and time of the hearing, except that no hearing shall be held sooner than is reasonable under the circumstances. When a nursery stock distributor does not request a hearing date within such fifteen-day period, the director shall establish a hearing date and notify the nursery stock distributor of the date and time of such hearing.

(4) A license may be revoked after:

(a) The director determines the nursery stock distributor has committed serious, repeated, or multiple violations of any of the requirements of section 2-10,103;

(b) The nursery stock distributor is given written notice to comply and written notice of the right to a hearing to show cause why the license should not be revoked; and

(c) The director finds that issuing an order revoking the license is appropriate based on the hearing record or on the available information if the hearing is waived by the nursery stock distributor.

(5) Any nursery stock distributor whose license has been suspended shall cease operations until the license is reinstated. Any nursery stock distributor whose license is revoked shall cease operating until a new license is issued.

(6) The director may terminate a proceeding to suspend or revoke a license or subject a nursery stock distributor to an order of the director described in subsection (1) of this section at any time if the reasons for such proceeding no longer exist. A license which has been suspended may be reinstated, a person with a revoked license may be issued a new license, or a nursery stock distributor may no longer be subject to the director's order if the director determines that the conditions which prompted the suspension, revocation, or order of the director no longer exist.

(7) Proceedings to suspend or revoke a license or subject a nursery stock distributor to an order of the director described in subsection (1) of this section shall not preclude the department from pursuing other civil or criminal actions.