(a) It is unlawful for a licensee that has changed its legal entity to do any of the following:

(1) Continue to operate after the change.

(2) Purchase or handle any farm product from a person who had a farm product contract with the former licensee at the time of the change in entity without notifying that person, in writing, of the change in entity.

(3) Use any invoice, contract, or other document associated with the purchase, consignment, or brokerage of any farm product that identifies the former licensee unless the new entity is conspicuously identified on the same invoice, contract, or other document as the entity responsible for the transaction.

(b) The new entity shall notify the director in writing of the change in legal entity within 15 days of the change. The new legal entity shall, before it conducts business that requires a license, obtain a new license for the business.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), if a licensee conducts business without a new license as a result of a change of legal entity, it may, within 120 days of the change, upon a showing of no substantial change in financial resources and liabilities, petition the director to grant a new license retroactive to the first day of the month during which the change occurred, and the director may grant the license with retroactive effect upon a finding that doing so would be consistent with the purposes of this chapter. Upon granting the petition, the director shall (1) require the licensee to pay an additional fee in an amount that will cover the expenses of the department in the matter, but not to exceed the fee for a new license, (2) place conditions on the license that are consistent with the purposes of this chapter as the director deems appropriate, and (3) require the licensee to pay an amount, for deposit in the Farm Products Trust Fund, equal to the amount that would have been required had the license been obtained in accordance with subdivision (b).

(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 733, Sec. 1.)