(a) No person, firm, corporation or association shall engage in business as a dealer in anhydrous ammonia as a fertilizer, or as a dealer in equipment used in the handling of anhydrous ammonia as a fertilizer within this state without first having obtained from the commissioner of agriculture a permit. This permit shall be issued only after proper written application is made and filed and after all requirements established with respect to dealers have been complied with by the applicant.

(b) Before engaging in business as a dealer, the applicant for a permit shall furnish a bond for the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) with good and solvent surety, payable to the state of Tennessee, and issued by a bonding company or companies licensed to do business in this state and acceptable by the commissioner, which bond shall serve as a guarantee that the dealer will comply with all the provisions of this part and all of the rules and regulations established with respect to the sale and handling of anhydrous ammonia as a fertilizer, and the sale and handling or installation of equipment used in the handling of anhydrous ammonia as a fertilizer.

(c) Before engaging in business as a dealer, the applicant for a permit shall satisfy the commissioner that the applicant is financially responsible; and this provision as to financial responsibilities will be complied with by filing with the commissioner evidence that the applicant has applied for and the applicant's application for insurance has been approved, on standard contract forms, and to be issued by insurance company or companies licensed to do business in this state in an amount of not less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

(d) In lieu of filing with the commissioner evidence of insurance coverages as set forth in subsection (c), the applicant may file with the commissioner a good and sufficient surety bond executed by a surety company licensed to do business in the state of Tennessee, in an amount not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), which bond shall be payable to the state of Tennessee and shall be conditioned to guarantee the payment of all damages for which the dealer may be legally responsible while engaged in the business as a dealer.