(a) If, in the opinion of the department, there appears to be reasonable grounds for investigating a complaint or notification made under the provisions of this chapter, the department shall investigate the complaint or notification. In the course of the investigation, if the department determines that violations of this chapter are indicated other than alleged violations specified in the complaint or notification that served as the basis for the investigation, the department may expand the investigation to include the additional violations.

(b) In the opinion of the department, if an investigation substantiates the existence of violations of this chapter, the department may cause a complaint to be issued.

(c) The investigation may include, but shall not be construed to require, examinations and audits of the books and records of any processor that pertain to the solvency of the processor of, or to the purchase of, or to the handling and accounting for, any farm product that is purchased or received on a pack-out or other basis from the producer of the farm product. The department may examine and audit all pertinent books, records, weight certificates, receipts, ledgers, journals, papers, contracts, bank statements, canceled checks and other documents of the processor that show or tend to show facts regarding the financial condition and the number and status of accounts of growers and others that are doing business with the processor.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 696, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 1998.)