Bill Text: NY S03316 | 2009-2010 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Establishes a permanent state item pricing law; provides that such item pricing shall apply to food, certain paper products, certain cleaning products, and certain health and beauty aids; provides for the enforcement of item pricing by the department of agriculture and markets and by municipal directors of consumer affairs or weights and measures; provides for monetary penalties for violations; permits localities to enforce local laws which are more stringent than state standards.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-06 - REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION [S03316 Detail]

Download: New_York-2009-S03316-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         3316
                              2009-2010 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                    March 16, 2009
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  Sen.  OPPENHEIMER -- read twice and ordered printed, and
         when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
       AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law,  in  relation  to  item
         pricing
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a  new
    2  section 214-i to read as follows:
    3    S  214-I.   ITEM PRICING.  1.  DECLARATION OF LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND
    4  INTENT.  THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT THERE  IS  TECH-
    5  NOLOGY  UTILIZING A LASER SCANNING DEVICE OFFERING NUMEROUS EFFICIENCIES
    6  AND ECONOMIES TO THE OPERATION OF THE RETAIL FOOD INDUSTRY, THE  USE  OF
    7  WHICH  MAY MAKE IT ECONOMICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS FOR RETAIL STORES TO REMOVE
    8  PRICE MARKINGS ON INDIVIDUAL GROCERY ITEMS.    THE  LEGISLATURE  FURTHER
    9  FINDS  THAT  PRICE  MARKING CONSTITUTES AN INDISPENSABLE INGREDIENT TO A
   10  CONSUMER'S RIGHT TO ALL REASONABLE  INFORMATION  IN  ORDER  TO  MAKE  AN
   11  INFORMED PURCHASE CHOICE.
   12    THEREFORE,  THE LEGISLATURE DECLARES THAT REQUIRING ITEM PRICE MARKING
   13  IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT  THE  INTEREST  OF  THE  CONSUMING  PUBLIC,  AND
   14  FURTHER  DECLARES  THAT  IT  IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO PROMOTE USEFUL
   15  TECHNOLOGY BY  PERMITTING  CONTINUED  TESTING  AND  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE
   16  UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE CHECKOUT SYSTEM WITHOUT THE REMOVAL OF ITEM PRIC-
   17  ES.
   18    IT  IS  THE  INTENT  OF THIS LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT CONSUMER GOODS
   19  OFFERED FOR SALE IN NEW YORK STATE ARE CLEARLY,  ADEQUATELY,  AND  ACCU-
   20  RATELY PRICE MARKED.
   21    2.   DEFINITIONS.   THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEAN-
   22  INGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION:
   23    A. "STOCK KEEPING UNIT" OR "UNIT"  SHALL  MEAN  EACH  GROUP  OF  ITEMS
   24  OFFERED  FOR  SALE  OF THE SAME BRAND NAME, QUANTITY OF CONTENTS, RETAIL
   25  PRICE, AND VARIETY WITHIN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD09145-01-9
       S. 3316                             2
    1    (I)  FOOD, INCLUDING ALL MATERIAL, SOLID,  LIQUID  OR  MIXED,  WHETHER
    2  SIMPLE  OR COMPOUND, USED OR INTENDED FOR CONSUMPTION BY HUMAN BEINGS OR
    3  DOMESTIC ANIMALS NORMALLY KEPT AS HOUSEHOLD PETS AND ALL  SUBSTANCES  OR
    4  INGREDIENTS TO BE ADDED THERETO FOR ANY PURPOSE;
    5    (II)   NAPKINS, FACIAL TISSUES, TOILET TISSUES, PAPER TOWELING AND ANY
    6  DISPOSABLE WRAPPING OR CONTAINER FOR THE STORAGE, HANDLING, SERVING,  OR
    7  DISPOSAL OF FOOD;
    8    (III)  DETERGENTS, SOAPS AND OTHER CLEANSING AGENTS; AND
    9    (IV)  NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND HEALTH AND
   10  BEAUTY AIDS.
   11    B.    "STOCK  KEEPING  ITEM" OR "ITEM" SHALL MEAN EACH ITEM OF A STOCK
   12  KEEPING UNIT OFFERED FOR SALE.
   13    C.  "RETAIL STORE" SHALL MEAN A STORE SELLING STOCK KEEPING  UNITS  AT
   14  RETAIL.  A STORE WHICH IS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BUT IS RESERVED
   15  FOR  USE  BY  ITS MEMBERS SHALL COME WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS DEFI-
   16  NITION UNLESS THE MEMBERS MUST PAY A DIRECT FEE TO THE STORE TO  QUALIFY
   17  FOR  MEMBERSHIP  AND  THE  STORE IS NOT REQUIRED TO COLLECT SALES TAX ON
   18  TRANSACTIONS WITH MEMBERS.   PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION,  A  RETAIL  STORE
   19  SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY STORE WHICH:
   20    (I)    HAS  AS  ITS  ONLY FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE THE OWNER THEREOF, OR THE
   21  PARENT, SPOUSE OR CHILD OF THE OWNER, AND IN ADDITION THERETO  NOT  MORE
   22  THAN TWO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES; OR
   23    (II)    HAD  ANNUAL GROSS SALES OF STOCK KEEPING UNITS IN THE PREVIOUS
   24  CALENDAR YEAR OF LESS THAN THREE  MILLION  DOLLARS,  UNLESS  THE  RETAIL
   25  STORE  IS  PART OF A NETWORK OF SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES OR OTHER MEMBER
   26  STORES, UNDER DIRECT OR INDIRECT COMMON CONTROL, WHICH AS A  GROUP,  HAD
   27  ANNUAL  GROSS SALES OF STOCK KEEPING ITEMS IN THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR
   28  OF THREE MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE; OR
   29    (III)  ENGAGES PRIMARILY IN THE SALE OF FOOD FOR  CONSUMPTION  ON  THE
   30  PREMISES  OR  IN A SPECIALTY TRADE WHICH THE COMMISSIONER DETERMINES, BY
   31  REGULATION, WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR ITEM PRICING.
   32    D.  "ITEM PRICE" SHALL MEAN THE TAG, STAMP OR MARK AFFIXED TO A  STOCK
   33  KEEPING  ITEM  WHICH  SETS  FORTH,  IN ARABIC NUMERALS, THE RETAIL PRICE
   34  THEREOF.
   35    E.  "ADVERTISED PRICE" SHALL MEAN THE PRICE OF A  STOCK  KEEPING  UNIT
   36  WHICH  A  RETAIL  STORE HAS CAUSED TO BE DISSEMINATED BY MEANS OF PROMO-
   37  TIONAL METHODS SUCH AS AN IN-STORE SIGN, NEWSPAPER, CIRCULAR, TELEVISION
   38  OR RADIO ADVERTISING.
   39    F.  "SHELF PRICE" SHALL MEAN THE TAG OR SIGN PLACED BY  AN  AUTHORIZED
   40  PERSON  AT  EACH POINT OF DISPLAY OF A STOCK KEEPING UNIT, WHICH CLEARLY
   41  SETS FORTH THE RETAIL PRICE OF THE STOCK KEEPING ITEMS WITHIN THAT STOCK
   42  KEEPING UNIT.
   43    G. "SALE PRICE" SHALL MEAN THE PRICE OF STOCK KEEPING ITEMS OFFERED ON
   44  SALE IN GOOD FAITH AT A PRICE BELOW THE PRICE FOR WHICH SUCH STOCK KEEP-
   45  ING ITEMS ARE USUALLY SOLD IN THE RETAIL STORE, FOR A STATED  PERIOD  OF
   46  TIME NOT TO EXCEED SEVEN DAYS.
   47    H.    "COMPUTER-ASSISTED  CHECKOUT  SYSTEM"  SHALL MEAN ANY ELECTRONIC
   48  DEVICE, COMPUTER SYSTEM OR MACHINE WHICH  DETERMINES  OR  INDICATES  THE
   49  SELLING  PRICE  OF  A  STOCK  KEEPING ITEM BY INTERPRETING ITS UNIVERSAL
   50  PRODUCT CODE, OR AN IN-HOUSE PRODUCT CODE, OR BY USE OF ITS PRICE  LOOK-
   51  UP FUNCTION.
   52    I.  "PRICE LOOK-UP FUNCTION" SHALL MEAN THE CAPABILITY OF ANY CHECKOUT
   53  SYSTEM  TO  DETERMINE THE RETAIL PRICE OF A STOCK KEEPING ITEM BY WAY OF
   54  ENTRY INTO THE SYSTEM OF A CODE NUMBER OR OTHER  INDICATOR  ASSIGNED  TO
   55  THAT  ITEM'S  STOCK  KEEPING  UNIT  BY THE RETAIL STORE OR BY WAY OF THE
       S. 3316                             3
    1  CHECKOUT OPERATOR'S CONSULTATION OF A FILE MAINTAINED AT  THE  POINT  OF
    2  SALE.
    3    J.    "INSPECTOR"  SHALL MEAN AN AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL HAVING
    4  THE JURISDICTION TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
    5    3.   ITEM PRICING REQUIRED.   A.   EVERY  PERSON,  FIRM,  PARTNERSHIP,
    6  CORPORATION  OR  ASSOCIATION WHICH SELLS, OFFERS FOR SALE OR EXPOSES FOR
    7  SALE A STOCK KEEPING UNIT IN A  RETAIL  STORE,  SHALL  DISCLOSE  TO  THE
    8  CONSUMER THE ITEM PRICE OF EACH STOCK KEEPING ITEM EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN
    9  PARAGRAPH B OF THIS SUBDIVISION BY CAUSING THE ITEM PRICE TO BE CONSPIC-
   10  UOUSLY, CLEARLY AND PLAINLY MARKED, STAMPED, TAGGED OR AFFIXED THERETO.
   11    B.  STOCK  KEEPING ITEMS OF THE FOLLOWING STOCK KEEPING UNITS NEED NOT
   12  BE ITEM PRICED AS PROVIDED IN THIS SUBDIVISION  PROVIDED  THAT  A  SHELF
   13  PRICE AND A PRICE LOOK-UP FUNCTION ARE MAINTAINED FOR SUCH STOCK KEEPING
   14  UNITS:
   15    (I)  MILK;
   16    (II)  EGGS;
   17    (III)  UNPACKAGED FRESH PRODUCE;
   18    (IV)  UNPACKAGED FOOD OFFERED FOR SALE IN BULK;
   19    (V)  FOOD SOLD FOR CONSUMPTION ON THE PREMISES;
   20    (VI)   STOCK KEEPING ITEMS WHICH ARE UNDER THREE CUBIC INCHES IN SIZE,
   21  AND WEIGH LESS THAN THREE OUNCES, AND ARE PRICED UNDER ONE DOLLAR;
   22    (VII)  SNACK FOODS SUCH AS CAKES, GUM, CANDIES, CHIPS AND NUTS OFFERED
   23  FOR SALE IN SINGLE PACKAGES AND WEIGHING FIVE OUNCES OR LESS;
   24    (VIII)  CIGARETTES, CIGARS, TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS;
   25    (IX)  ITEMS SOLD THROUGH A VENDING MACHINE;
   26    (X) ITEMS OFFERED AT A SALE PRICE, PROVIDED THAT THE  SALE  PRICE  AND
   27  BEGINNING  AND  ENDING  DATES  OF THE SALES ARE CLEARLY INDICATED TO THE
   28  CONSUMER BY CONSPICUOUS SIGNS LOCATED AT OR NEAR  THE  DISPLAY  OF  SUCH
   29  ITEMS; AND
   30    (XI) FROZEN FOOD PACKAGED IN PLASTIC OR POLYETHYLENE BAGS.
   31    C.  THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS AS HE OR SHE
   32  DEEMS NECESSARY, TO ENSURE THAT UNIT PRICES, AS REQUIRED  UNDER  SECTION
   33  TWO  HUNDRED FOURTEEN-H OF THIS ARTICLE, ARE OF ADEQUATE SIZE, COLOR AND
   34  LOCATION TO ENHANCE VISIBILITY BY THE CONSUMER FOR THE  UNITS  INDICATED
   35  BY PARAGRAPH B OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
   36    4.    PRICE ACCURACY.  NO RETAIL STORE SHALL CHARGE A RETAIL PRICE FOR
   37  ANY EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT STOCK KEEPING ITEM WHICH EXCEEDS THE  LOWER  OF
   38  ANY ITEM, SHELF, SALE OR ADVERTISED PRICE OF SUCH STOCK KEEPING ITEM.
   39    5.  ENFORCEMENT,  INSPECTION PROCEDURES.   A. FOR ANY INSPECTION UNDER
   40  THIS SECTION, THE STORE REPRESENTATIVE SHALL AFFORD THE INSPECTOR ACCESS
   41  TO THE TEST MODE OF THE CHECKOUT SYSTEM AND TO THE RETAIL PRICE INFORMA-
   42  TION CONTAINED IN A PRICE LOOK-UP FUNCTION.
   43    B. FOR THE PURPOSE  OF  DETERMINING  A  STORE'S  COMPLIANCE  WITH  THE
   44  REQUIREMENTS  OF  SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, AN INSPECTION SHALL
   45  BE CONDUCTED OF A SAMPLE OF NO LESS  THAN  FIFTY  STOCK  KEEPING  UNITS.
   46  HOWEVER,  IN  THE EVENT THE COMMISSIONER HAS RECEIVED A SPECIFIC WRITTEN
   47  COMPLAINT, NO SUCH MINIMUM SAMPLE SHALL BE REQUIRED IN THE INVESTIGATION
   48  OF SAME.
   49    C. IN A STORE WITH A LASER SCANNING OR OTHER COMPUTER ASSISTED  CHECK-
   50  OUT  SYSTEM, THE ENFORCING AGENT SHALL BE PERMITTED TO COMPARE THE ITEM,
   51  SHELF, SALE OR ADVERTISED PRICE ON ANY ONE OR MORE STOCK  KEEPING  ITEMS
   52  SOLD IN THE STORE, NOT TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED STOCK KEEPING ITEMS AT ANY
   53  ONE  INSPECTION,  WITH THE PROGRAMMED COMPUTER PRICE.  NO MINIMUM SAMPLE
   54  SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR AN INSPECTION FOR PRICE ACCURACY.  THE STORE SHALL
   55  PROVIDE SUCH ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER AS IS NECESSARY  FOR  THE  ENFORCING
   56  AGENT TO MAKE THE DETERMINATION.
       S. 3316                             4
    1    6.  PENALTIES.  A.  (I)  THE FAILURE TO ITEM PRICE THREE OR MORE STOCK
    2  KEEPING ITEMS OF A PARTICULAR STOCK  KEEPING  UNIT  SHALL  CONSTITUTE  A
    3  SINGLE VIOLATION.
    4    (II)  ANY RETAIL STORE FOUND IN VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS
    5  SECTION  SHALL  BE  SUBJECT  TO  THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES: FOR VIOLATIONS
    6  DISCOVERED UPON THE FIRST INSPECTION IN  ANY  TWELVE  MONTH  PERIOD  THE
    7  STORE  SHALL  PAY  A PENALTY OF FIFTY DOLLARS FOR EACH OF THE FIRST FOUR
    8  VIOLATIONS; ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR EACH OF THE NEXT TWELVE  VIOLATIONS;
    9  AND  ONE  HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, BUT IN NO
   10  EVENT SHALL THE TOTAL PENALTY THEREFOR EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. FOR
   11  VIOLATIONS DISCOVERED UPON A SECOND  OR  SUBSEQUENT  INSPECTION  IN  ANY
   12  TWELVE MONTH PERIOD, THE ABOVE PENALTIES SHALL BE DOUBLED, WITHOUT LIMI-
   13  TATION.  EACH  DAY  A VIOLATION IS CONTINUED SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE
   14  VIOLATION.
   15    B. IN THE EVENT THAT THE PROGRAMMED COMPUTER PRICE EXCEEDS  THE  ITEM,
   16  SHELF,  SALE  OR  ADVERTISED  PRICE OF ANY STOCK KEEPING ITEM, THE STORE
   17  WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES: FOR A VIOLATION OF  SUBDIVI-
   18  SION  FOUR OF THIS SECTION, A PENALTY IN THE AMOUNT OF FIFTY DOLLARS PER
   19  VIOLATION SHALL BE IMPOSED ON THE FIRST TWO PERCENT OF THE STOCK KEEPING
   20  ITEMS COMPARED ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER; ONE HUNDRED  DOLLARS
   21  PER VIOLATION FOR THE NEXT TWO PERCENT; TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THE NEXT
   22  TWO  PERCENT;  AND  THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR EACH ADDITIONAL VIOLATION.
   23  FOR VIOLATIONS DISCOVERED UPON A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT  INSPECTION  IN  A
   24  TWELVE MONTH PERIOD THE ABOVE PENALTIES SHALL BE DOUBLED.
   25    C. AN INSPECTOR SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE A STOP-REMOVAL ORDER
   26  WITH  RESPECT  TO  ANY  STOCK KEEPING ITEM, DEVICE OR SYSTEM BEING USED,
   27  HANDLED, SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE OR EXPOSED FOR SALE IN VIOLATION OF THIS
   28  SECTION.
   29    (I)  ANY STOP-REMOVAL ORDER ISSUED WITH RESPECT TO ANY  STOCK  KEEPING
   30  ITEM  SHALL  BE  IN  WRITING, SHALL LIST THE VIOLATIONS AND SHALL DIRECT
   31  THAT ANY STOCK KEEPING ITEM IN VIOLATION SHALL NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED  FOR
   32  SALE OR EXPOSED FOR SALE UNTIL THE VIOLATIONS ARE CORRECTED.
   33    (II)    ANY  STOP-REMOVAL  ORDER  ISSUED WITH RESPECT TO ANY DEVICE OR
   34  SYSTEM SHALL BE IN WRITING AND SHALL LIST THE VIOLATIONS.  SUCH STOP-RE-
   35  MOVAL ORDER SHALL BE STAYED FOR UP TO  TWO  HOURS  AFTER  THE  INSPECTOR
   36  PROVIDES  THE  WRITTEN  STOP-REMOVAL  ORDER TO THE RETAIL STORE PROVIDED
   37  THAT, UNTIL THE VIOLATIONS ARE CORRECTED, EITHER:    THE  STOCK  KEEPING
   38  ITEMS  WHICH  ARE  AFFECTED  BY THE VIOLATIONS ARE NOT SOLD, OFFERED FOR
   39  SALE OR EXPOSED FOR SALE, OR SIGNS ARE POSTED CONSPICUOUSLY AT  OR  NEAR
   40  EACH CASH REGISTER WHICH CLEARLY DISCLOSE TO STORE EMPLOYEES AND CONSUM-
   41  ERS  WHICH  STOCK KEEPING ITEMS ARE AFFECTED BY THE VIOLATIONS AND THEIR
   42  CORRECT PRICES, AND THE RETAIL STORE ENSURES THAT CONSUMERS ARE  CHARGED
   43  THE CORRECT PRICE.
   44    D.    VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE PENALTIES
   45  SPECIFIED IN SECTION FORTY-ONE OF THIS CHAPTER.
   46    7.  JURISDICTION.  A.  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION  AND  THE  REGU-
   47  LATIONS  PROMULGATED  HEREUNDER  MAY BE ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR BY
   48  THE MUNICIPAL DIRECTOR OF A CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE AND/OR  A  MUNICIPAL
   49  DIRECTOR  OF  WEIGHTS  AND MEASURES.   NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF
   50  SECTION FORTY-FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER, ALL MONEYS COLLECTED HEREUNDER BY  A
   51  MUNICIPALITY SHALL BE RETAINED BY THE MUNICIPALITY.  IN THE EVENT THAT A
   52  MUNICIPALITY  ELECTS  TO  ENFORCE  THIS SECTION, IT SHALL GIVE NOTICE OF
   53  SUCH INTENTION TO THE  COMMISSIONER  WHO,  UPON  RECEIPT  THEREOF,  WILL
   54  DIRECT  THAT  THE  DEPARTMENT'S  INSPECTIONS  FOR  COMPLIANCE  WITH THIS
   55  SECTION BE DISCONTINUED IN SUCH MUNICIPALITY UNLESS AND UNTIL SUCH MUNI-
   56  CIPALITY GIVES FURTHER NOTICE THAT IT NO LONGER  INTENDS  TO  ENGAGE  IN
       S. 3316                             5
    1  ENFORCEMENT  OF  THIS SECTION.  THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPHS B
    2  AND C OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE APPLICABLE TO  MUNICIPAL  ENFORCEMENT
    3  OF THIS SECTION.
    4    B.    EACH  MUNICIPAL  DIRECTOR  OF A CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE AND/OR A
    5  MUNICIPAL DIRECTOR OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES PERSONALLY, OR THROUGH HIS OR
    6  HER AUTHORIZED AGENTS, SHALL, UPON FINDING A VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS
    7  OF THIS SECTION OR OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED PURSUANT  TO
    8  THIS  SECTION,  EXPEDITIOUSLY  CAUSE  THE  SAME TO BE CORRECTED OR SHALL
    9  REFER THE MATTER TO THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MUNICIPALITY, FOR  COMMENCEMENT
   10  OF  A  CIVIL  ACTION  IN THE NAME OF THE MUNICIPALITY TO RECOVER A CIVIL
   11  PENALTY IN THE AMOUNTS PRESCRIBED BY THIS SECTION AND BY SECTIONS  THIR-
   12  TY-NINE  AND  FORTY  OF THIS CHAPTER.  A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR RECOVERY OF
   13  SUCH PENALTY MAY BE RELEASED, SETTLED OR COMPROMISED  BY  THE  MUNICIPAL
   14  DIRECTOR  BEFORE  THE  MATTER  IS  REFERRED TO THE MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY OR
   15  THEREAFTER BY SUCH ATTORNEY.
   16    C.  THE MUNICIPAL DIRECTOR MAY HOLD A HEARING TO DETERMINE  WHETHER  A
   17  VIOLATION  OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION HAS OCCURRED.  AT LEAST TWO
   18  WEEKS WRITTEN NOTICE OF A HEARING SHALL BE SERVED EITHER  PERSONALLY  ON
   19  THE  INDIVIDUAL  IN  CHARGE  OF  THE PLACE OF BUSINESS WHERE THE ALLEGED
   20  VIOLATION OCCURRED OR BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL ADDRESSED TO  SUCH
   21  PLACE OF BUSINESS.  SUCH NOTICE SHALL CONTAIN A CONCISE STATEMENT OF THE
   22  FACTS  CONSTITUTING  THE ALLEGED VIOLATION AND SHALL SET FORTH THE DATE,
   23  TIME AND PLACE THAT THE HEARING WILL BE HELD.    UPON  A  FINDING  OF  A
   24  VIOLATION  OF  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS SECTION, THE MUNICIPAL DIRECTOR
   25  SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO RECOVER ANY CIVIL PENALTY PROVIDED FOR  IN  PARA-
   26  GRAPH B OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
   27    8. LOCAL STANDARDS.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO RESTRICT THE
   28  POWER  OF  ANY  COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE TO ADOPT AND ENFORCE ADDI-
   29  TIONAL LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES, OR REGULATIONS WHICH EXCEED  THE  MINIMUM
   30  APPLICABLE STANDARDS IN THIS SECTION.
   31    9.  RULES AND REGULATIONS.  THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROMULGATE SUCH RULES
   32  AND REGULATIONS AS HE OR SHE MAY DEEM NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO EFFEC-
   33  TUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.
   34    S 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day  after  it  shall
   35  have become a law.
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