These rules are adopted under the authority granted in Miss. Code Ann. § 69-25-57. The purpose of these rules is to provide guidance for the reviewing officer and the hearing committee (hereinafter, "hearing officers") of the Bureau of Plant Industry, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, in assessing civil penalties or other punishment for any violations of Miss. Code Ann. Sections 69-19-1 through 69-19-15, Sections 69-21-101 through 69-21-128, Sections 69-23-1 through 69-23-135, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In determining the enforcement remedy, the hearing officers shall consider the appropriateness of such penalty for the particular violation, the effect of the penalty on the person's ability to continue in business, and the gravity of the violation. These guidelines are designed to insure consistency, to the extent practicable, for similar violations in the assessment of penalties or other punishment.
2 Miss. Code. R. 1-3-07-100.01