FEES.

(a) A political subdivision or agency of this state, other than the department, may not impose a fee on milk or a milk product, or on a person for the movement, distribution, or sale of milk or a milk product.

(b) The department shall impose the following fees only:

(1) a permit fee of $200 every two years for a producer dairy farm;

(2) a permit fee of $800 every two years for a processing or bottling plant;

(3) a permit fee of $800 every two years for a receiving and transfer station;

(4) a permit fee of $200 every two years for a milk transport tanker;

(5) a fee of 4-1/2 cents for each 100 pounds of milk or milk products processed and distributed in this state by a processing or bottling plant in this state, or processed by an out-of-state processing or bottling plant and sold in this state; and

(6) a fee of 1-1/2 cents for each 100 pounds of dairy products processed by a processing or bottling plant in this state.

(c) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules for the department to assess and collect the fees imposed by Subsections (b)(5) and (6) monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually according to amounts due by the plant. Monthly fees shall be assessed and collected in accordance with department rules.

(d) A permit issued under this chapter is valid for two years and must be renewed not later than September 1 of the year in which the permit expires.

(e) The department shall prorate fees paid for permits issued under this chapter after the beginning of a permit year.

(f) In this section:

(1) "Dairy farm" means a place where one or more cows or goats are kept and from which milk or milk products are provided, sold, or offered for sale to a milk plant or transfer station.

(2) "Transfer station" means a place where milk or milk products are transferred directly from one transport tank to another.

(g) Subject to legislative appropriation, the department may use money collected under Subsection (b)(5) only for milk inspection.