N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 256-a: Audits of books and accounts of milk dealers and cooperatives

§ 256-a. Audits of books and accounts of milk dealers and

cooperatives. It shall be the duty of the commissioner to examine and

audit from time to time, as the commissioner deems necessary and proper,

the books and accounts of milk dealers and cooperatives licensed or

subject to license under this article, for the purpose of determining

how payments to producers for the milk handled are computed, whether the

amounts of such payments are fair, and whether any provisions of this

chapter affecting such payments, directly or indirectly, have been or

are being violated, and for the purpose of determining the costs of the

handling, distribution and marketing of milk and milk products, and for

the purpose of determining the manner of disposition of the total income

of each and every milk dealer and cooperative. For the purposes hereof,

the commissioner or any employee designated for that purpose shall have

access to and may enter at all reasonable hours all places where milk is

being stored, bottled or manufactured or where milk and milk products

are being bought, sold or handled, and where books, papers, records or

documents relating to such purchase or sale are kept, and shall have

power to inspect and copy and audit all of said books and accounts. No

person or corporation shall in any way hinder or delay the commissioner

or any employee in conducting such examination or audit. The

commissioner may reveal any of the findings of such examination or audit

to the producers interested therein, or may publish all or any part of

such findings, as in his judgment will best serve the public interest

and accomplish the purposes of this chapter.