Petition procedure

1. In the event of a dispute involving a seed transaction, a seed labeler, seed dealer, or seed customer may petition for seed arbitration by filing a written complaint with the agriculture commissioner. The complaint must be filed at the address listed in section 100-01-01-01. The petitioner shall, in addition to the written complaint, submit an initial fee of two hundred fifty dollars payable to the "state seed arbitration board". The petitioner shall serve a copy of the complaint upon each party to which the complaint is directed. 2. The filing of a petition for arbitration is not a prerequisite to a person's right to maintain a civil action. 3. If seed, which is the basis of the complaint, is labeled by a person other than a seed dealer who sells directly to the farmer or other purchaser of seed, the commissioner shall mail a copy of the complaint to the person responsible for labeling the seed in order for the person to have an opportunity to file an answer.