It is unlawful for any two or more persons, or corporations, to combine or agree together to do any act which will, in any respect, prevent any person from buying livestock at any place in this State.
Preservation and Regulation of CompetitionCombinations to Obstruct Sales of Livestock
Section § 16800
This law makes it illegal for two or more people or companies to join forces or make a pact to stop someone from purchasing livestock anywhere in the state.
prevent buying livestock unlawful combinations corporations
Section § 16801
This law states that it's illegal for any company in California to make or enforce rules that stop people involved with the company from buying livestock at markets in the state. Such rules go against public policy and are considered illegal and void. If someone tries to enforce these rules, they can be charged with a misdemeanor and face penalties.
It is unlawful for any corporation organized under the laws of this State, or the board of directors, trustees, stockholders, agents, or officers of any corporation, to pass or enforce any rule, by-law, or regulation whereby any officer, stockholder, member, shareholder, agent, servant thereof, or any other person in any way interested in or connected with such corporation shall in any respect be prohibited, prevented, or enjoined from buying livestock in any market in this State where livestock is brought to be sold.
Every such rule, regulation, or by-law is declared to be contrary to the public policy of this State, and is unlawful and void. Any person who attempts, directly or indirectly, to enforce any such rule, regulation, or by-law, is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties prescribed in this chapter.
corporation rules livestock buying unlawful practices
Section § 16802
This law makes it illegal to create or join any group or agreement in California that prevents a person or company from charging their desired commission rate for selling livestock. Any rules or agreements that force sellers to charge a minimum commission or stop them from lowering their commission are against state policy and unlawful. People involved in such actions face penalties.
No trust, combination, or conspiracy shall be organized or exist in this State to prevent any person or corporation from selling livestock on commission at such rate as the person or corporation may see fit to charge. Any rule, regulation, by-law, or agreement of any corporation, association, society, or combination of persons, whereby any such parties are required to charge not less than a given sum for commissions, or whereby any person or commission merchant is, in any respect, restrained from charging less than a certain fixed sum for his services as such commission merchant in the sale of livestock, is declared to be contrary to the public policy of this State, and is unlawful.
Any person who enters into any such trust, combination, or conspiracy, or who enforces or aids, abets, assists, or encourages the enforcement of any such rule, regulation, by-law, or agreement, is liable to the penalties prescribed in this chapter.
livestock commission unlawful pricing agreements public policy
Section § 16803
This law makes it illegal for anyone to be involved in a scheme that stops others from freely selling livestock or forces them to charge a certain amount for selling it. Breaking this law is considered a misdemeanor and comes with penalties.
Any person who, directly or indirectly, is a party to any combination, conspiracy, or association, which attempts, directly or indirectly, to prevent any other person from freely selling livestock at any market in this State for such persons as see fit to engage his services, or who endeavors to compel, directly or indirectly, any person to charge not less than a fixed minimum sum for services in the sale of livestock, or who, in any way, hinders or prevents any person from lawfully selling livestock for another for such rate of commission as may be agreed upon is guilty of a misdemeanor, and subject to the penalties prescribed in this chapter.
livestock sales conspiracy fixed pricing
Section § 16804
If someone breaks any rule in this chapter, they could face a misdemeanor charge, which means they might have to pay a fine between $500 and $5,000, spend up to a year in county jail, or both. Additionally, if someone is harmed by the violation, the violator might have to pay for all the damages suffered by the affected person.
A violation of any provision of this chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) and not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or both. A person violating any provision of this chapter shall be liable, in civil action, to any person aggrieved thereby, for the full amount of damages sustained by reason of the violation.
misdemeanor fine imprisonment
