(1) Assessments.

(a) The annual assessment on all varieties of blueberries shall be four-tenths of a cent per affected unit (pound).

(b) For the purpose of collecting assessments, the board may:

(i) Require handlers to collect producer assessments from producers whose production they handle, and remit the same to the board; or

(ii) Require the person subject to the assessment to give adequate assurance or security for its payment.

(c) Subsequent to the first sale no affected units shall be transported, carried, shipped, sold, marketed, or otherwise handled or disposed of until every due and payable assessment herein provided for has been paid and the receipt issued. The foregoing shall include all affected units shipped or sold, both inside and outside the state.

(2) Collections. Any moneys collected or received by the board pursuant to the provisions of this order during or with respect to any season or year, may be refunded on a pro rata basis at the close of the season or year or at the close of a longer period as the board determines to be reasonably adapted to effectuate the declared policies of this act and the purposes of this marketing order, to all persons from whom moneys were collected or received or may be carried over into and used with respect to the next succeeding season, year or period whenever the board finds that the same will tend to effectuate the policies and purposes.

(3) Penalties. Any due and payable assessment herein levied in a specified amount as may be determined by the board pursuant to the provisions of the act and the order, shall constitute a personal debt of every person so assessed or who otherwise owes the same, and the same shall be due and payable to the board when payment is called for by it. In the event any person fails to pay the board the full amount of the assessment or other sum on or before the date due, the board may, and is hereby authorized, to add to the unpaid assessment or sum an amount not exceeding ten percent of the unpaid assessment to defray the cost of enforcing the collecting of it. In the event of failure of a person or persons to pay any due and payable assessment or other sum, the board may bring a civil action against the person or persons in a state court of competent jurisdiction for the collection thereof, together with the above specified ten percent, and the action shall be tried and judgment rendered as in any other cause of action for debt due and payable.