§8705 Assessments

Summary

Manufacturers must pay an assessment if they made concrete masonry products for at least 180 days before the payment is due. Payments must be sent to the Board in the way the order requires, and at least once every quarter. When paying, manufacturers must show the total assessment amount on sales receipts, invoices, or other sales documents as the Board prescribes. The starting assessment is $0.01 per concrete masonry unit. The Board can change the rate, but a two‑thirds vote is needed, any change can’t be more than $0.01 per unit, the rate can’t go over $0.05 per unit, and it can be changed no more than once a year. Late-payment and interest charges may be added; the Secretary sets the rate for those charges. While funds wait to be spent under a Secretary‑approved budget, the Board may invest them in safe government or bank obligations (U.S. or agency obligations, state or local general obligations, interest‑bearing accounts or CDs at Federal Reserve banks, or obligations guaranteed by the U.S.). At least 50% of each manufacturer’s assessments (after administration costs) must fund research, education, and promotion for the manufacturer’s geographic region; the order defines five regions, and the Secretary can change region borders if the Board recommends it.