Local and state-wide membership fees

(a) The tobacco boards of trade in the several municipalities in Georgia are authorized to require as a condition to membership therein the payment of a reasonable fee which shall not exceed: (1) $50.00 in those municipalities in which less than 3 million pounds of tobacco was sold at auction during the year 1960; (2) $100.00 in those municipalities in which not less than 3 million pounds but less than 10 million pounds of tobacco was sold at auction during the year 1960; (3) $150.00 in those municipalities in which not less than 10 million pounds but less than 25 million pounds of tobacco was sold at auction during the year 1960; 690 10-4-175 (4) $300.00 in those municipalities in which 25 million pounds or more of tobacco was sold at auction during the year 1960. (b) A state-wide corporation or association, as provided in this part, may require as a condition to membership therein the payment of a reasonable fee which shall not exceed $100.00 per 1 million pounds of producers’ tobacco sold at auction during the year preceding the year in which the fee is assessed. History. Ga. L. 1962, p. 102, § 4; Ga. L. 1972, p. 918, § 3. 10-4-174. Membership in board of trade and state-wide organization as conditions for operating warehouse. In addition to complying with the laws of this state relative to the operation of tobacco warehouses, local boards of trade may require membership in good standing in the local board of trade as a condition to participate in the business of operating a tobacco warehouse in such municipality; and, in addition thereto, a state-wide corporation or association, as provided in this part, may require membership in such state-wide organization as a condition to participate in the business of operating a tobacco warehouse in this state; and such requirements shall be deemed reasonable requirements by the board of trade or state-wide organization. History. Ga. L. 1962, p. 102, § 5; Ga. L. 1972, p. 918, § 4. 10-4-175. Categories of membership; participation in allocating sale time; liability for board’s acts. Membership in the several boards of trade may be divided into categories as the board may provide in its bylaws and may include, in addition to warehousemen, members other than warehousemen. The holder of a membership other than a warehouseman shall not participate in the allocation of sale time among the warehousemen. The board of trade may provide for the participation of membership other than warehousemen in matters other than the allocation of sales time. Members in any of the several boards of trade authorized by this part shall not be responsible or liable for any of the acts, omissions, or commissions of the several tobacco boards of trade except as to the extent of their participation therein. Membership in a state-wide corporation or association, as provided in this part, shall be limited to warehousemen. The holder of a membership in such state-wide organization who is not the operator of a warehouse in this state shall not 691 10-4-190 participate in the allocation of sales time among the tobacco markets in this state. History. Ga. L. 1962, p. 102, § 6; Ga. L. 1972, p. 918, § 5. 10-4-176. Appealing suspension or expulsion from board of trade or state-wide organization. Any person suspended or expelled from a tobacco board of trade may appeal from such suspension or expulsion to the superior court of the county in which the board of trade is located. Any person suspended or expelled from the state-wide organization provided for in this part may appeal from such suspension or expulsion to the superior court of the county in which the person’s warehouse is located. The appeal shall be a de novo investigation by the court, and the court in considering the appeal may make such findings in relation thereto as the circumstances may warrant. History. Ga. L. 1962, p. 102, § 7; Ga. L. 1972, p. 918, § 6. 10-4-177. Price fixing or restraint of trade not authorized; regulation of leaf tobacco selling unaffected. Nothing in this part shall authorize the organization of any association or corporation having for its purpose the control of prices or the making of rules and regulations in restraint of trade or in conflict with the laws of this state or rules and regulations promulgated under such laws. Nothing contained in this part shall supersede, alter, amend, or repeal the authority of the Commissioner of Agriculture to regulate the sale of leaf tobacco as provided by law. History. Ga. L. 1962, p. 102, § 8. ARTICLE 4 CONVENIENCE WAREHOUSING 10-4-190. Short title.