The commissioner shall, within 30 days following receipt of application for a license to operate a food establishment or a food salvage establishment or to act as a salvage broker, issue the appropriate license if the applicant is in compliance with this chapter and any rules adopted by the commissioner. When any applicant, upon inspection by the commissioner, is found not to meet the requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter, the commissioner may issue either a temporary license for a specified period not to exceed 90 days, during which time corrections specified by the commissioner must be made by the applicant for compliance, or a conditional license setting forth conditions that must be met by the applicant to the satisfaction of the commissioner.   [PL 1989, c. 664, §4 (AMD).]

A license may be issued for a period of up to 3 years. Licenses for a period in excess of one year may only be issued with the agreement of or at the request of the applicant. The fee for a 2-year license is 2 times the annual fee. The fee for a 3-year license is 3 times the annual fee. The prescribed fee must accompany the application for license. Licenses may be renewed upon application and payment of the fees, subject to the commissioner's rules and regulations. Licenses erroneously issued by the commissioner are considered void and must be returned to the commissioner on demand.   [PL 1999, c. 598, §1 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 598, §4 (AFF).]

Beginning August 1, 2000, each one-, 2- or 3-year license or license renewal issued expires on December 31st of the appropriate year except that, beginning January 1, 2010, each one-year, 2-year or 3-year license or license renewal expires on the date of issuance of the appropriate year. When an initial license is issued or when a license is renewed between August 1, 2000 and August 1, 2003, the license fee is prorated based on the number of months the license is valid and the annual fee. When a license is renewed between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011, the period of time that the license is valid may be increased by up to 11 months and the license fee is prorated based on the number of months the license is valid and the annual fee.   [PL 2009, c. 393, §10 (AMD).]

The commissioner shall notify license holders not less than 30 days prior to the expiration of their licenses and provide them with any necessary relicensure forms.   [PL 1979, c. 672, Pt. A, §56 (NEW).]