Chapter 100

100.23(5)(a)2. 2. At any member meeting of the association, each association member entitled to vote shall have one vote, except that the articles or bylaws may permit either or both:

100.23(5)(a)2.a. a. A member association to cast additional votes not exceeding a number equal to its membership.

100.23(5)(a)2.b. b. An association whose member-patrons include other associations to base voting in whole or in part on a patronage basis.

100.23(5)(a)3. 3. Voting by proxy shall not be allowed in any association.

100.23(5)(a)4. 4. The bylaws of the association may provide for representation of members at any member meeting by delegates apportioned territorially or by other districts or units.

100.23(5)(a)5. 5. An annual member meeting shall be held by the association at the time and place fixed in or pursuant to the bylaws of the association. In the absence of a bylaw provision, such meeting shall be held within 6 months after the close of the association’s fiscal year at the call of the president or board.

100.23(5)(a)6. 6. Written notice, stating the place, day and hour of the association’s annual member meeting shall be given not less than 7 days nor more than 60 days before the annual meeting at the direction of the person calling the meeting. Notice need be given only to members entitled to vote. Notice shall be given to members having limited voting rights if they have or may have the right to vote at the meeting.

100.23(5)(a)7. 7. At any annual member meeting at which members are to be represented by delegates, notice to such members may be given by notifying such delegates and their alternates. Notice may consist of a notice to all members or may be in the form of an announcement at the meeting at which such delegates or alternates were elected.

100.23(5)(a)8. 8. The association shall keep correct and complete books and records of account, and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of meetings of its members, board and executive committee. The association shall keep at its principal office records of the names and addresses of all members and stockholders with the amount of stock held by each, and of ownership of equity interests. At any reasonable time, any association member or stockholder, or his or her agent or attorney, upon written notice stating the purposes thereof, delivered or sent to the association at least one week in advance, may examine for a proper purpose any books or records pertinent to the purpose specified in the notice. The board may deny a request to examine books and records if the board determines that the purpose is not directly related to the business or affairs of the association and is contrary to the best interests of the association.

100.23(5)(b) (b) Has a current annual report on file with the department of financial institutions which satisfies all of the following requirements:

100.23(5)(b)1. 1. Is signed by a principal officer or the general manager of the association.

100.23(5)(b)2. 2. Is on a form furnished to the association by the department of financial institutions using information given as of the date of the execution of the report.

100.23(5)(b)3. 3. Sets forth:

100.23(5)(b)3.a. a. The association’s name and complete address.

100.23(5)(b)3.b. b. The names and addresses of the association’s directors and principal officers.

100.23(5)(b)3.c. c. A statement, by class and par value, of the amount of stock which the association has authority to issue, and the amount of stock issued.

100.23(5)(b)3.d. d. A statement as to the general type of business in which the association was engaged during the 12 months preceding the date of the report.

100.23(5)(b)4. 4. Is filed with the department of financial institutions in each year following the year in which the association first filed the annual report required under this paragraph, during the calendar year quarter in which the anniversary of the filing occurs.

100.23(6) (6) Department of financial institutions duties. The department of financial institutions shall:

100.23(6)(a) (a) Provide forms for the report required under sub. (5) (b) to an association upon the request of that association.

100.23(6)(b) (b) Send by 1st class mail a form for the report required under sub. (5) (b) to each association which filed that report in the previous year, no later than 60 days prior to the end of the calendar year quarter in which that association first filed its report.

100.23(6)(c) (c) Upon receipt of a report required under sub. (5) (b), determine if the report satisfies the requirements of sub. (5) (b). If the department of financial institutions determines that the report does not satisfy all of those requirements, the department of financial institutions shall return the report to the association which filed it, along with a notice of any correction required. If the association files a corrected report within 30 days after the association receives that notice, the report shall be deemed timely filed for purposes of sub. (5) (b) 4.

100.23 History History: 1987 a. 89; 1995 a. 27.

100.235 100.235 Unfair trade practices in procurement of vegetable crops.

100.235(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

100.235(1)(a) (a) “Affiliate” means any of the following persons or business entities:

100.235(1)(a)1. 1. An officer, director, partner, member, manager, major stockholder, employee or agent of a contractor.

100.235(1)(a)2. 2. A corporation or business entity that is owned, controlled or operated by any of the persons under subd. 1.

100.235(1)(b) (b) “Contractor” has the meaning given for “vegetable contractor” under s. 126.55 (14).

100.235(1)(c) (c) “Contractor’s cost to grow” means the average cost, per unit weight of vegetable, incurred by the contractor and the contractor’s subsidiaries and affiliates to grow a species of vegetable in a growing region, either during 3 of the preceding 5 years excluding the highest and lowest years, or, if the contractor has grown a vegetable species less than 5 consecutive years, during the most recent years available.

100.235(1)(d) (d) “Growing region” means one or more geographic areas in which the department determines that the cost to grow a particular species of vegetable tends to be reasonably similar.

100.235(1)(dm) (dm) “License year” has the meaning given under s. 126.55 (10m).

100.235(1)(e) (e) “Producer” means any person who produces and sells vegetables, or who grows vegetables under contract.

100.235(1)(f) (f) “Subsidiary” means a corporation or business entity that is owned, controlled or operated by a contractor.

100.235(1)(g) (g) “Vegetable” means a vegetable grown or sold for use in food processing, whether or not it is actually processed as food. “Vegetable” includes sweet corn but does not include grain.

100.235(1)(h) (h) “Vegetable procurement contract” means an agreement between a contractor and a producer, under which the contractor buys vegetables grown in this state from the producer or contracts with the producer to grow vegetables in this state.

100.235(2) (2) Contractor may not pay producer less than contractor’s cost to grow. If a contractor and the contractor’s affiliates and subsidiaries collectively grow more than 10 percent of the acreage of any vegetable species grown and procured by the contractor in any license year, the contractor shall pay a producer, for vegetables of that species tendered or delivered under a vegetable procurement contract, a price not less than the contractor’s cost to grow that vegetable species in the same growing region. For vegetables contracted on a tonnage basis and for open-market tonnage purchased, acreage under this subsection shall be determined using the state average yield per acre during the preceding license year.

100.235(4) (4) Cost to grow; report to department upon request. If the department determines that a contractor and the contractor’s affiliates and subsidiaries will collectively grow more than 10 percent of the acreage of any vegetable species grown and procured by the contractor during a license year, the department may require the contractor to file a statement of the contractor’s cost to grow that vegetable species. The contractor shall file the report with the department within 30 days after the department makes its request, unless the department grants an extension of time. The department may permit the contractor to report different costs to grow for different growing regions if the contractor can define the growing regions to the department’s satisfaction, and can show to the department’s satisfaction that the contractor’s costs to grow are substantially different between the growing regions.

100.235(5) (5) Department investigations; response to producer complaints. The department may, on its own initiative, investigate to determine whether any contractor has violated this section. If a producer or producer association files a written complaint with the department alleging a violation of sub. (2), the department shall investigate the complaint. The department is not required to investigate any complaint filed more than 180 days after the producer tendered or delivered the vegetables to the contractor.

100.235(6) (6) Additional reports; inspection and audit. For purposes of an investigation under sub. (5), the department may require a contractor to submit reports of acreage, tonnages, costs to grow, and amounts paid to producers. The department may require that the reports be certified by a certified public accountant, or the department may inspect and audit the contractor’s records to verify that the reports are accurate.

100.235(7) (7) Reports are confidential. Reports submitted to the department under subs. (4) and (6) are confidential and not open to public inspection.

100.235(8) (8) Department findings and order. If the department completes an investigation in response to a complaint under sub. (5), the department shall issue written findings to the contractor and complainant, indicating whether the department has found a violation of sub. (2) by the contractor. If the department finds that the contractor has violated sub. (2), the department shall specify what it finds to be the contractor’s cost to grow. Either the contractor or the complainant may demand a public hearing on the department’s finding, under ch. 227.

100.235(9) (9) Uniform system of cost accounting; department rules. The department may promulgate rules prescribing a uniform system of cost accounting to be used by contractors in determining and reporting a contractor’s cost to grow. The accounting system shall take into account cost differences attributable to factors affecting prices for vegetable species under vegetable procurement contracts.

100.235(10) (10) Private remedy. A producer who sustains a monetary loss as a result of a violation of this section by a contractor may recover the amount of the loss, together with costs, including all reasonable attorney fees, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1).

100.235(11) (11) Penalties.

100.235(11)(a) (a) Forfeiture. Any person who violates this section or any rule promulgated or order issued under this section may be required to forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $10,000. Notwithstanding s. 165.25 (1), the department may commence an action to recover a forfeiture under this paragraph.

100.235(11)(b) (b) Fine or imprisonment. Any person who intentionally violates this section shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both for each violation.

100.235 History History: 1975 c. 67, 199; 1989 a. 31, 359; 1993 a. 112; 2001 a. 16.

100.24 100.24 Revocation of corporate authority. Any corporation, or limited liability company, foreign or domestic, which violates any order issued under s. 100.20 may be enjoined from doing business in this state and its certificate of authority, incorporation or organization may be canceled or revoked. The attorney general may bring an action for this purpose in the name of the state. In any such action judgment for injunction, cancellation or revocation may be rendered by the court, upon such terms as it deems just and in the public interest, but only upon proof of a substantial and willful violation.

100.24 History History: 1981 c. 124; 1993 a. 112.

100.25 100.25 Cumulative remedies. Nothing in ss. 100.22 to 100.24 shall be construed as repealing any other law of this state, but the remedies herein provided shall be cumulative to all other remedies provided by law in and for such cases.

100.26 100.26 Penalties.

100.26(1) (1) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, except s. 100.18, 100.20, 100.206 or 100.51, for which no specific penalty is prescribed shall be fined not to exceed $200, or imprisoned in the county jail not more than 6 months or both.

100.26(2) (2) Any person violating s. 100.02 is guilty of a Class I felony.

100.26(3) (3) Any person who violates s. 100.15 or 100.19, or who intentionally refuses, neglects or fails to obey any regulation or order made or issued under s. 100.19 or 100.20, shall, for each offense, be fined not less than $25 nor more than $5,000, or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year or both.

100.26(4) (4) Any person who violates s. 100.18 (1) to (8) or (10) or 100.182 is subject to a civil forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $200 for each violation.

100.26(4m) (4m) Any person who violates s. 100.18 (10r) is subject to a civil forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 for each violation.

100.26(5) (5) Any person violating s. 100.18 (9) may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.

100.26(6) (6) The department, the department of justice, after consulting with the department, or any district attorney may commence an action in the name of the state to recover a civil forfeiture to the state of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 for each violation of an injunction issued under s. 100.18, 100.182 or 100.20 (6). The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or any district attorney may commence an action in the name of the state to recover a civil forfeiture to the state of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 for each violation of an order issued under s. 100.20.

100.26(7) (7) Any person violating s. 100.182 may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both for each offense. Each unlawful advertisement published, printed or mailed on separate days or in separate publications, hand bills or direct mailings is a separate violation of this section.

100.26(8) (8) Any person who violates s. 100.46 may be required to forfeit not more than $100.

100.26(9) (9) Any person who violates s. 100.30 (7) (a) is subject to a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $200 for each violation.

100.26 History History: 1975 c. 39; 1979 c. 327; 1981 c. 90; 1981 c. 124 s. 9; 1983 a. 500; 1985 a. 288; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 414; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 55, 111, 201, 253, 283; 1999 a. 32; 2001 a. 16, 109.

100.26 Annotation It was constitutionally proper for the legislature to authorize in sub. (3) the imposition of criminal penalties for the violation of Department of Agriculture rules adopted pursuant to s. 100.20. State v. Lambert, 68 Wis. 2d 523, 229 N.W.2d 622 (1975).

100.26 Annotation “Intentionally” in sub. (3) modifies only “refuses,” not “neglects or fails.” Multiplicitous charges must be avoided. State v. Stepniewski, 105 Wis. 2d 261, 314 N.W.2d 98 (1982).

100.26 Annotation A reasonably prudent landlord would be able to understand, by reviewing the relevant statutes and administrative code provisions that, upon withholding some or all of a tenant’s security deposit, the landlord may be held criminally liable for failing to provide a tenant with a statement of withholdings. A landlord has sufficient notice that failure to comply with the requirements under s. ATCP 134.06 (4), Wis. Adm. Code, could result in a violation of s. 100.20 as an unfair business or trade practice and, therefore, could be criminally prosecuted under sub. (3). The statutory scheme is not void for vagueness and comports with due process in this regard. State v. Lasecki, 2020 WI App 36, 392 Wis. 2d 807, 946 N.W.2d 137, 18-2340.

100.26 Annotation A conviction under sub. (3) without proof of criminal intent did not violate the due process clause. Stepniewski v. Gagnon, 732 F.2d 567 (1984).

100.261 100.261 Consumer protection surcharge.

100.261(1) (1) If a court imposes a fine or forfeiture for a violation of this chapter, ch. 98, a rule promulgated under this chapter or ch. 98, or an ordinance enacted under this chapter or ch. 98, the court shall also impose a consumer protection surcharge under ch. 814 in an amount equal to 25 percent of the fine or forfeiture imposed. If multiple violations are involved, the court shall base the consumer protection surcharge upon the total of the fine or forfeiture amounts for all violations. If a fine or forfeiture is suspended in whole or in part, the court shall reduce the surcharge in proportion to the suspension.

100.261(2) (2) If any deposit is made for a violation to which this section applies, the person making the deposit shall also deposit a sufficient amount to include the consumer protection surcharge under this section. If the deposit is forfeited, the amount of the consumer protection surcharge shall be transmitted to the secretary of administration under sub. (3). If the deposit is returned, the consumer protection surcharge shall also be returned.

100.261(3) (3) 

100.261(3)(a) (a) The clerk of court shall collect and transmit the consumer protection surcharges imposed under ch. 814 to the county treasurer under s. 59.40 (2) (m). The county treasurer shall then make payment to the secretary of administration under s. 59.25 (3) (f) 2.

100.261(3)(b) (b) The secretary of administration shall deposit the consumer protection surcharges imposed under ch. 814 in the general fund and shall credit them to the appropriation account under s. 20.115 (1) (jb), subject to the limit under par. (c).

100.261(3)(c) (c) The amount credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.115 (1) (jb) may not exceed $185,000 in each fiscal year.

100.261 History History: 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33, 139, 326.

100.263 100.263 Recovery. In addition to other remedies available under this chapter, the court may award the department the reasonable and necessary costs of investigation and an amount reasonably necessary to remedy the harmful effects of the violation and the court may award the department of justice the reasonable and necessary expenses of prosecution, including attorney fees, from any person who violates this chapter. The department and the department of justice shall deposit in the state treasury for deposit in the general fund all moneys that the court awards to the department, the department of justice or the state under this section. Ten percent of the money deposited in the general fund that was awarded under this section for the costs of investigation and the expenses of prosecution, including attorney fees, shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.455 (1) (gh).

100.263 History History: 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 36.

100.264 100.264 Violations against elderly or disabled persons.

100.264(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

100.264(1)(a) (a) “Disabled person” means a person who has an impairment of a physical, mental or emotional nature that substantially limits at least one major life activity.

100.264(1)(b) (b) “Elderly person” means a person who is at least 62 years of age.

100.264(1)(c) (c) “Major life activity” means self-care, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, performing manual tasks or being able to be gainfully employed.

100.264(2) (2) Supplemental forfeiture. If a fine or a forfeiture is imposed on a person for a violation under ch. 136 or 707 or s. 100.16, 100.17, 100.171, 100.174, 100.18, 100.182, 100.183, 100.195, 100.20, 100.203, 100.205, 100.207, 100.209, 100.21, 100.30 (3), 100.313, 100.315, 100.35, 100.44, 100.46, 100.52, 100.525, 100.55, 100.57, 100.65, 134.71, 134.72, 134.73, 134.87, 344.574, 344.576 (1), (2), or (3) (a) or (b), 344.577, or 344.578, or a provision of ch. 704 or 846 for which the department has rule-making, investigation, or enforcement authority, or a rule promulgated under one of those sections, chapters, or provisions, the person shall be subject to a supplemental forfeiture not to exceed $10,000 for that violation if the conduct by the defendant, for which the violation was imposed, was perpetrated against an elderly person or disabled person and if the court finds that any of the following factors is present:

100.264(2)(a) (a) The defendant knew or should have known that the defendant’s conduct was perpetrated against an elderly person or disabled person.

100.264(2)(b) (b) The defendant’s conduct caused an elderly person or disabled person to suffer any of the following:

100.264(2)(b)1. 1. Loss or encumbrance of his or her primary residence.

100.264(2)(b)2. 2. Loss of principal employment or principal source of income.

100.264(2)(b)3. 3. Loss of more than 25 percent of the property that the elderly person or disabled person has set aside for retirement or for personal or family care or maintenance.

100.264(2)(b)4. 4. Loss of more than 25 percent of the total of payments to be received under a pension or retirement plan.