§ 256-a. Audits of books and accounts of milk dealers and
cooperatives. It shall be the duty of the commissioner to examine and
audit from time to time, as the commissioner deems necessary and proper,
the books and accounts of milk dealers and cooperatives licensed or
subject to license under this article, for the purpose of determining
how payments to producers for the milk handled are computed, whether the
amounts of such payments are fair, and whether any provisions of this
chapter affecting such payments, directly or indirectly, have been or
are being violated, and for the purpose of determining the costs of the
handling, distribution and marketing of milk and milk products, and for
the purpose of determining the manner of disposition of the total income
of each and every milk dealer and cooperative. For the purposes hereof,
the commissioner or any employee designated for that purpose shall have
access to and may enter at all reasonable hours all places where milk is
being stored, bottled or manufactured or where milk and milk products
are being bought, sold or handled, and where books, papers, records or
documents relating to such purchase or sale are kept, and shall have
power to inspect and copy and audit all of said books and accounts. No
person or corporation shall in any way hinder or delay the commissioner
or any employee in conducting such examination or audit. The
commissioner may reveal any of the findings of such examination or audit
to the producers interested therein, or may publish all or any part of
such findings, as in his judgment will best serve the public interest
and accomplish the purposes of this chapter.