DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

                          ANIMAL INDUSTRY DIVISION

           REGULATION NO. 144. CLAIMS AGAINST LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS


(By authority of Act No. 284 of the Public Acts of 1937,  as  amended,  being 
S287.121 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws)


R  285.144.1   Procedure  for   determining   claims   against   livestock
  auctions.
  Rule 1. (1) A notice, setting forth the  date,  time,  and   place   of   a 
proposed hearing will be:
  (a) Mailed to each known claimant.
  (b) Published in  a  newspaper  serving  the  area   where   the   affected 
livestock auction is located once each week for 2 consecutive weeks.
  (c) Posted at 6  prominent  places  on  the  premises   of   the   affected 
livestock auction.
  (2) During the course of the hearing, each claimant shall  submit  to   the 
director of agriculture his claim in writing on a form as  approved  by   the 
director and such other proof as may be required of him for  the  purpose  of 
substantiating said claim against the livestock auction.
  (3) In lieu of submitting such claim at the hearing,  the   claimants   may 
submit their proof of claim by mail, provided said proof of  claim  shall  be 
postmarked at least 3 days prior to the date set for the hearing.
  (4) All claims and other proof as submitted  will  be   reviewed   by   the 
director of agriculture and he shall rule upon the validity  of  each  claim; 
provided, however, he may request additional information of the  claimant.
Thereafter, the director of agriculture will determine the exact amount to be 
paid to each claimant.
  (5) No new or additional claims will be accepted after the  close  of   the 
hearing.
  (6) After determination of the amount due each  claimant,   said   claimant 
will  be  notified,  and  thereafter  the  director   of   agriculture   will 
determine the method or methods by which moneys determined to be due  will be 
distributed to each claimant, and  will  thereupon  proceed  to   make   such 
distribution.

  History:  1979 AC.