(a) Authority over milk prices. The Commission may establish an equitable minimum or maximum price, or both, and the manner of payments, which shall be paid producers or associations of producers by handlers, and the prices charged consumers and others for milk used in dairy products by distributors or handlers. The cost of the contracts and employment pursuant to section 2923 of this title and of administering the collection and distribution of monies collected under this section shall not exceed $100,000.00 annually and may be collected independently from any assessment imposed under this section. The Commission may impose an assessment to cover the initial costs of establishing a pricing order as authorized by this section.

(b) Equitable minimum producer prices. The Commission may establish by order after notice and hearing an equitable minimum price to be paid to dairy producers for milk produced in Vermont on the basis of the use thereof in the various classes, grades, and forms. Prices so established which exceed federal order prices shall be collected by the Commission from the handlers for distribution to dairy producers as a blend price.

(c) Public hearings. In order to be informed of the status of the State's dairy industry, the Commission shall hold a public hearing at least annually, when directed by the General Assembly, and whenever the chair deems it necessary.

(d) Voluntary payments. The Commission may accept voluntary premium payments for distribution to dairy farmers as a blend price.

(e) Premiums on handlers and distributors for milk used in dairy products sold at retail in Vermont. The Commission may assess a premium on handlers and distributors for milk used in dairy products sold at retail in Vermont. The premiums assessed and received shall be paid to the State Treasury and deposited in the special fund established pursuant to section 2938 of this chapter. The proceeds of the premium shall be distributed to dairy producers as a blend price. Any applicable provision of subsections 2925(b)-(f) of this title shall apply to the assessment of such premiums. In assessing these premiums, the Commission shall also take into account any similar assessments made by other states.

(f) Payment Statements. Payment statements provided to producers of cows' milk shall include in the payment statement the national support price, the Boston, Massachusetts price, the producer price differential, and the amount per hundredweight of any charges or deductions where applicable. The format shall be provided with clear language and with no abbreviations, except where the abbreviation is spelled out elsewhere in the statement. (Added 1965, No. 175, § 42; amended 1991, No. 17, § 4, eff. April 4, 1991; 1991, No. 17, § 4, eff. April 4, 1991; 1991, No. 232 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2007, No. 38, § 22, eff. May 21, 2007; 2007, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. May 20, 2008; 2009, No. 48, § 2, eff. May 28, 2009.)