Annual renewal fee; delinquency charge

A. Each licensee shall pay, as directed by the commissioner, on or before December thirty-first of each year, a renewal license fee of six hundred dollars, plus an additional fee of twenty-five dollars for each licensed transmission or selling location in this state; however, the total renewal fee for any license shall not exceed six thousand dollars, regardless of the number of locations. B. (1) If the renewal fee is received after December thirty-first, a late penalty equal to one-half of the renewal fee, including the fee for each transmission or selling location, shall be paid as a prerequisite for renewal even though the six thousand dollar maximum is exceeded. (2) If the commissioner has not received the annual renewal fee and late fee before March first of the following year, the license shall lapse without a hearing or notification and the license shall not be reinstated; however, the person whose license has lapsed may apply for a new license. C. If payment is made by mail, proof of payment before the delinquency date may be established by sending the renewal fee by certified mail, return receipt requested. A postmark of no later than December thirty-first shall be conclusive proof that timely payment was made. D. The office of financial institutions shall deposit the license fee check within two business days after it is received, anything to the contrary in R.S. 49:308 or 950 et seq. notwithstanding, whether or not the application is accompanied by all supporting documents required by law to be furnished as a prerequisite to renewal of the license. However, the act of depositing the license fee shall not be construed as granting of a renewal of the license previously issued if the commissioner determines that the applicant has not met the requirements of this Chapter.