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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 20Ch. 6Art. 9§ 55639 Processor Lien Release Methods

§ 55639 Processor Lien Release Methods

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 55639 Processor Lien Release Methods

Key Takeaways

  • •If a company buys stuff from farmers, they have to pay for it within 20 days unless they agree on a different time.
  • •If the company can't pay right away, they can give the government money, a bond, or some of their products to make sure farmers get paid later.
  • •The company has 35 days to pay the farmers after giving the government money, a bond, or products.
  • •If the company doesn’t pay in 35 days, the government uses the money, bond, or products to pay the farmers.

Example

A company buys corn from a farmer but doesn’t have the money to pay right away.

The company can give the government some of their own corn or money to hold. If they don’t pay the farmer in 35 days, the government sells the corn or uses the money to pay the farmer.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 55639 Processor Lien Release Methods

Any processor that desires to secure a release of any or all of such liens on any product or processed product may do so in any of the following ways: (a) By paying the agreed or actual value of any farm product which is purchased by such processor within 20 days from the date of delivery of the farm product unless the date of payment is otherwise agreed upon in writing or such payment is secured other than by lien. (b) By depositing with the director a surety bond which is executed by such processor as principal and by a surety company which is qualified and authorized to do business in this state as surety in an amount which equals the current market value of the product or processed product which is intended by such processor to be sold or otherwise disposed of, as such value may appear by the sworn statement of such processor in accordance with quotations from the federal-state market news service or other evidence which is satisfactory to the director. The bond shall be conditioned that if the processor fails to pay up to the amount of such bond the lawful claims of all producers whose liens have been released by the bond, within 35 days after date of the bond, the surety shall be liable to and shall pay to the state on behalf of such claimants all such lawful claims as may be covered by the amount of the bond, together with costs of suit if an action is filed on the bond. (c) By depositing with the director a cash sum in lawful money of the United States which is expressly set apart by an instrument in writing that is signed by the processor for the purpose of guaranteeing to the extent of such sum, payment of all existing claims of producers whose liens are released by the deposit, within 35 days from the date of such deposit. The director shall be named in such instrument as trustee to carry out the purpose and intent of the instrument. (d) By designating, setting apart, and depositing in a public warehouse a quantity of any processed farm products and indorsing over to the director and delivering to him the warehouse receipt for such products for the purpose of guaranteeing to the extent of the value of such deposit, payment within 35 days from the date of such deposit, all existing claims of producers and labor claimants whose liens are released by it. (e) By securing a release from the director after payment in full for such farm product. (Enacted by Stats. 1967, Ch. 15.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

liendirectorclaimreleaseinstrumentprocessorunited statesstatement

Related Statutes

  • § 55650 Processor Lien Release Conditions
  • § 55635 Producer Lien Attachment Rules
  • § 55638.5 Farm Product Lien Violations
  • § 55648 Lien Preservation After Judgment
  • § 55649 Processor Lien Release Bond

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 55639.
View Official Source