California 2023-2024 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB402 Compare Versions

OldNewDifferences
1-Assembly Bill No. 402 CHAPTER 651An act to amend Section 221 of, and to add and repeal Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to weeds, and making an appropriation therefor. [ Approved by Governor October 10, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State October 10, 2023. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 402, Aguiar-Curry. Weeds: Broomrape Program.Existing law establishes within state government the Department of Food and Agriculture in order to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law provides for the regulation of weeds and pest seeds generally. Existing law provides that a violation of the Food and Agricultural Code is a misdemeanor, unless a different penalty is expressly provided.This bill would establish the Broomrape Board within the Department of Food and Agriculture to advise the Secretary of Food and Agriculture and make recommendations on all matters relating to broomrape, as specified. The bill would require the secretary to appoint at least 12 members to the board, consisting of at least 3 representatives from each specified geographical district and that are persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a public member and ex officio nonvoting members to the board, as specified.The bill would require the board to recommend specified actions to the secretary, including, among other things, conducting research related to broomrape, surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape, and establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates to be paid equally by producers and handlers of tomatoes. The bill would require the secretary, upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, to accept or reject the recommendation or request that the board provide additional information. By authorizing new regulations, the bill would expand the scope of a crime and create a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities authorized by these provisions. The bill would create the Broomrape Management Account, a continuously appropriated account, in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund and would specify the funds to be deposited into the account, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would require any funds within the account to be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board. The bill would exempt the account from specified budget reporting requirements. The bill would require any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this bill to be reimbursed solely by the assessment.The bill would authorize the secretary to adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board and would require the assessments collected from producers to be paid by handlers to the secretary. The bill would provide that any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler is a personal debt of the person assessed and would require the payment of a specified penalty if the assessment is not paid. The bill would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions to be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and to be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of the broomrape program.The bill would make the above provisions inoperative on July 1, 2028, and would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions that remain on that date to be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before that date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the bill would authorize the use of the funds for broomrape control or related research activities. The bill would repeal the broomrape program on January 1, 2029.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 221 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:221. (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which is a special fund, is continued in existence. Any moneys that are directed by law to be paid into the fund shall be paid into it and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be expended solely for the enforcement of the law under which the moneys were derived. The expenditure from the fund for the enforcement of any law shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, exceed the amount of moneys that is credited to the fund pursuant to the law.(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated in subdivision (c) are hereby continuously appropriated to the department without regard to fiscal years for expenditure in carrying out the purposes for which the moneys were deposited and for making the refunds authorized by Section 302.(c) All moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated below are hereby exempted from Sections 13320 to 13324, inclusive, of the Government Code:(1) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) and Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 5850) of Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Division 4, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3 of Division 4, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.(2) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(3) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 6047.1) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(4) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6981) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 4.(5) Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4.(6) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14200), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 14501), and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14901) of Division 7.(7) Part 1 (commencing with Section 16301) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 17401) of Division 9.(8) Sections 19225, 19227, 19312, and 19315.(9) Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001).(10) Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001).(11) Part 4 (commencing with Section 27501) of Division 12.(12) Division 16 (commencing with Section 40501).(13) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.(14) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 52001) of Division 18.(15) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 52251) of Division 18.(16) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 52651) of Division 18.(17) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 52851) of Division 18.(18) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55401), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 56101), and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 56701) of Division 20.(19) Section 58582.(20) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 61301), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 61801), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 62700) of Part 3 of Division 21.(21) Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000).(22) Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 12531) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(23) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(24) Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 13400) and Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 13700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) is added to Part 4 of Division 4 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.5. Broomrape Program Article 1. General Provisions7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.(b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.(c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.(d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.(e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.(f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program. Article 2. Definitions7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:(a) Board means the Broomrape Board.(b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.(c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:(A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.(B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.(C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.(D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.(2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.(d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.(e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.(f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California. Article 3. Broomrape Board7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.(b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.(c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.(d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Article 4. Powers and Duties7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(a) Conducting research related to broomrape.(b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.(c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.(d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.(f) Establishing an annual budget.(g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:(a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.(b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.(c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation. 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board. Article 5. Fund and Assessments7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.(b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.(c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.(b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.(c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.(b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.(c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.(b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator. Article 6. Enforcement7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter. Article 7. Operation7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
1+Enrolled September 18, 2023 Passed IN Senate September 12, 2023 Passed IN Assembly September 13, 2023 Amended IN Senate August 14, 2023 Amended IN Assembly May 18, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 402Introduced by Assembly Member Aguiar-CurryFebruary 02, 2023An act to amend Section 221 of, and to add and repeal Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to weeds, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 402, Aguiar-Curry. Weeds: Broomrape Program.Existing law establishes within state government the Department of Food and Agriculture in order to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law provides for the regulation of weeds and pest seeds generally. Existing law provides that a violation of the Food and Agricultural Code is a misdemeanor, unless a different penalty is expressly provided.This bill would establish the Broomrape Board within the Department of Food and Agriculture to advise the Secretary of Food and Agriculture and make recommendations on all matters relating to broomrape, as specified. The bill would require the secretary to appoint at least 12 members to the board, consisting of at least 3 representatives from each specified geographical district and that are persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a public member and ex officio nonvoting members to the board, as specified.The bill would require the board to recommend specified actions to the secretary, including, among other things, conducting research related to broomrape, surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape, and establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates to be paid equally by producers and handlers of tomatoes. The bill would require the secretary, upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, to accept or reject the recommendation or request that the board provide additional information. By authorizing new regulations, the bill would expand the scope of a crime and create a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities authorized by these provisions. The bill would create the Broomrape Management Account, a continuously appropriated account, in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund and would specify the funds to be deposited into the account, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would require any funds within the account to be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board. The bill would exempt the account from specified budget reporting requirements. The bill would require any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this bill to be reimbursed solely by the assessment.The bill would authorize the secretary to adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board and would require the assessments collected from producers to be paid by handlers to the secretary. The bill would provide that any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler is a personal debt of the person assessed and would require the payment of a specified penalty if the assessment is not paid. The bill would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions to be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and to be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of the broomrape program.The bill would make the above provisions inoperative on July 1, 2028, and would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions that remain on that date to be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before that date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the bill would authorize the use of the funds for broomrape control or related research activities. The bill would repeal the broomrape program on January 1, 2029.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 221 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:221. (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which is a special fund, is continued in existence. Any moneys that are directed by law to be paid into the fund shall be paid into it and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be expended solely for the enforcement of the law under which the moneys were derived. The expenditure from the fund for the enforcement of any law shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, exceed the amount of moneys that is credited to the fund pursuant to the law.(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated in subdivision (c) are hereby continuously appropriated to the department without regard to fiscal years for expenditure in carrying out the purposes for which the moneys were deposited and for making the refunds authorized by Section 302.(c) All moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated below are hereby exempted from Sections 13320 to 13324, inclusive, of the Government Code:(1) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) and Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 5850) of Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Division 4, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3 of Division 4, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.(2) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(3) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 6047.1) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(4) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6981) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 4.(5) Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4.(6) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14200), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 14501), and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14901) of Division 7.(7) Part 1 (commencing with Section 16301) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 17401) of Division 9.(8) Sections 19225, 19227, 19312, and 19315.(9) Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001).(10) Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001).(11) Part 4 (commencing with Section 27501) of Division 12.(12) Division 16 (commencing with Section 40501).(13) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.(14) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 52001) of Division 18.(15) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 52251) of Division 18.(16) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 52651) of Division 18.(17) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 52851) of Division 18.(18) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55401), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 56101), and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 56701) of Division 20.(19) Section 58582.(20) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 61301), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 61801), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 62700) of Part 3 of Division 21.(21) Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000).(22) Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 12531) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(23) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(24) Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 13400) and Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 13700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) is added to Part 4 of Division 4 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.5. Broomrape Program Article 1. General Provisions7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.(b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.(c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.(d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.(e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.(f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program. Article 2. Definitions7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:(a) Board means the Broomrape Board.(b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.(c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:(A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.(B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.(C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.(D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.(2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.(d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.(e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.(f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California. Article 3. Broomrape Board7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.(b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.(c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.(d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Article 4. Powers and Duties7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(a) Conducting research related to broomrape.(b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.(c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.(d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.(f) Establishing an annual budget.(g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:(a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.(b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.(c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation. 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board. Article 5. Fund and Assessments7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.(b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.(c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.(b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.(c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.(b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.(c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.(b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator. Article 6. Enforcement7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter. Article 7. Operation7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
22
3- Assembly Bill No. 402 CHAPTER 651An act to amend Section 221 of, and to add and repeal Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to weeds, and making an appropriation therefor. [ Approved by Governor October 10, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State October 10, 2023. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 402, Aguiar-Curry. Weeds: Broomrape Program.Existing law establishes within state government the Department of Food and Agriculture in order to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law provides for the regulation of weeds and pest seeds generally. Existing law provides that a violation of the Food and Agricultural Code is a misdemeanor, unless a different penalty is expressly provided.This bill would establish the Broomrape Board within the Department of Food and Agriculture to advise the Secretary of Food and Agriculture and make recommendations on all matters relating to broomrape, as specified. The bill would require the secretary to appoint at least 12 members to the board, consisting of at least 3 representatives from each specified geographical district and that are persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a public member and ex officio nonvoting members to the board, as specified.The bill would require the board to recommend specified actions to the secretary, including, among other things, conducting research related to broomrape, surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape, and establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates to be paid equally by producers and handlers of tomatoes. The bill would require the secretary, upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, to accept or reject the recommendation or request that the board provide additional information. By authorizing new regulations, the bill would expand the scope of a crime and create a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities authorized by these provisions. The bill would create the Broomrape Management Account, a continuously appropriated account, in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund and would specify the funds to be deposited into the account, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would require any funds within the account to be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board. The bill would exempt the account from specified budget reporting requirements. The bill would require any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this bill to be reimbursed solely by the assessment.The bill would authorize the secretary to adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board and would require the assessments collected from producers to be paid by handlers to the secretary. The bill would provide that any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler is a personal debt of the person assessed and would require the payment of a specified penalty if the assessment is not paid. The bill would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions to be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and to be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of the broomrape program.The bill would make the above provisions inoperative on July 1, 2028, and would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions that remain on that date to be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before that date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the bill would authorize the use of the funds for broomrape control or related research activities. The bill would repeal the broomrape program on January 1, 2029.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
3+ Enrolled September 18, 2023 Passed IN Senate September 12, 2023 Passed IN Assembly September 13, 2023 Amended IN Senate August 14, 2023 Amended IN Assembly May 18, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 402Introduced by Assembly Member Aguiar-CurryFebruary 02, 2023An act to amend Section 221 of, and to add and repeal Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to weeds, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 402, Aguiar-Curry. Weeds: Broomrape Program.Existing law establishes within state government the Department of Food and Agriculture in order to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law provides for the regulation of weeds and pest seeds generally. Existing law provides that a violation of the Food and Agricultural Code is a misdemeanor, unless a different penalty is expressly provided.This bill would establish the Broomrape Board within the Department of Food and Agriculture to advise the Secretary of Food and Agriculture and make recommendations on all matters relating to broomrape, as specified. The bill would require the secretary to appoint at least 12 members to the board, consisting of at least 3 representatives from each specified geographical district and that are persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a public member and ex officio nonvoting members to the board, as specified.The bill would require the board to recommend specified actions to the secretary, including, among other things, conducting research related to broomrape, surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape, and establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates to be paid equally by producers and handlers of tomatoes. The bill would require the secretary, upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, to accept or reject the recommendation or request that the board provide additional information. By authorizing new regulations, the bill would expand the scope of a crime and create a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities authorized by these provisions. The bill would create the Broomrape Management Account, a continuously appropriated account, in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund and would specify the funds to be deposited into the account, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would require any funds within the account to be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board. The bill would exempt the account from specified budget reporting requirements. The bill would require any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this bill to be reimbursed solely by the assessment.The bill would authorize the secretary to adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board and would require the assessments collected from producers to be paid by handlers to the secretary. The bill would provide that any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler is a personal debt of the person assessed and would require the payment of a specified penalty if the assessment is not paid. The bill would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions to be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and to be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of the broomrape program.The bill would make the above provisions inoperative on July 1, 2028, and would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions that remain on that date to be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before that date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the bill would authorize the use of the funds for broomrape control or related research activities. The bill would repeal the broomrape program on January 1, 2029.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
44
5- Assembly Bill No. 402 CHAPTER 651
5+ Enrolled September 18, 2023 Passed IN Senate September 12, 2023 Passed IN Assembly September 13, 2023 Amended IN Senate August 14, 2023 Amended IN Assembly May 18, 2023
66
7- Assembly Bill No. 402
7+Enrolled September 18, 2023
8+Passed IN Senate September 12, 2023
9+Passed IN Assembly September 13, 2023
10+Amended IN Senate August 14, 2023
11+Amended IN Assembly May 18, 2023
812
9- CHAPTER 651
13+ CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION
14+
15+ Assembly Bill
16+
17+No. 402
18+
19+Introduced by Assembly Member Aguiar-CurryFebruary 02, 2023
20+
21+Introduced by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry
22+February 02, 2023
1023
1124 An act to amend Section 221 of, and to add and repeal Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to weeds, and making an appropriation therefor.
12-
13- [ Approved by Governor October 10, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State October 10, 2023. ]
1425
1526 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
1627
1728 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
1829
1930 AB 402, Aguiar-Curry. Weeds: Broomrape Program.
2031
2132 Existing law establishes within state government the Department of Food and Agriculture in order to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law provides for the regulation of weeds and pest seeds generally. Existing law provides that a violation of the Food and Agricultural Code is a misdemeanor, unless a different penalty is expressly provided.This bill would establish the Broomrape Board within the Department of Food and Agriculture to advise the Secretary of Food and Agriculture and make recommendations on all matters relating to broomrape, as specified. The bill would require the secretary to appoint at least 12 members to the board, consisting of at least 3 representatives from each specified geographical district and that are persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a public member and ex officio nonvoting members to the board, as specified.The bill would require the board to recommend specified actions to the secretary, including, among other things, conducting research related to broomrape, surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape, and establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates to be paid equally by producers and handlers of tomatoes. The bill would require the secretary, upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, to accept or reject the recommendation or request that the board provide additional information. By authorizing new regulations, the bill would expand the scope of a crime and create a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities authorized by these provisions. The bill would create the Broomrape Management Account, a continuously appropriated account, in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund and would specify the funds to be deposited into the account, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would require any funds within the account to be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board. The bill would exempt the account from specified budget reporting requirements. The bill would require any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this bill to be reimbursed solely by the assessment.The bill would authorize the secretary to adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board and would require the assessments collected from producers to be paid by handlers to the secretary. The bill would provide that any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler is a personal debt of the person assessed and would require the payment of a specified penalty if the assessment is not paid. The bill would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions to be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and to be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of the broomrape program.The bill would make the above provisions inoperative on July 1, 2028, and would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions that remain on that date to be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before that date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the bill would authorize the use of the funds for broomrape control or related research activities. The bill would repeal the broomrape program on January 1, 2029.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
2233
2334 Existing law establishes within state government the Department of Food and Agriculture in order to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law provides for the regulation of weeds and pest seeds generally. Existing law provides that a violation of the Food and Agricultural Code is a misdemeanor, unless a different penalty is expressly provided.
2435
2536 This bill would establish the Broomrape Board within the Department of Food and Agriculture to advise the Secretary of Food and Agriculture and make recommendations on all matters relating to broomrape, as specified. The bill would require the secretary to appoint at least 12 members to the board, consisting of at least 3 representatives from each specified geographical district and that are persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a public member and ex officio nonvoting members to the board, as specified.
2637
2738 The bill would require the board to recommend specified actions to the secretary, including, among other things, conducting research related to broomrape, surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape, and establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates to be paid equally by producers and handlers of tomatoes. The bill would require the secretary, upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, to accept or reject the recommendation or request that the board provide additional information. By authorizing new regulations, the bill would expand the scope of a crime and create a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the secretary to appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities authorized by these provisions. The bill would create the Broomrape Management Account, a continuously appropriated account, in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund and would specify the funds to be deposited into the account, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would require any funds within the account to be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board. The bill would exempt the account from specified budget reporting requirements. The bill would require any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this bill to be reimbursed solely by the assessment.
2839
2940 The bill would authorize the secretary to adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board and would require the assessments collected from producers to be paid by handlers to the secretary. The bill would provide that any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler is a personal debt of the person assessed and would require the payment of a specified penalty if the assessment is not paid. The bill would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions to be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and to be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of the broomrape program.
3041
3142 The bill would make the above provisions inoperative on July 1, 2028, and would require any funds received pursuant to the above provisions that remain on that date to be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before that date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the bill would authorize the use of the funds for broomrape control or related research activities. The bill would repeal the broomrape program on January 1, 2029.
3243
3344 The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
3445
3546 This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
3647
3748 ## Digest Key
3849
3950 ## Bill Text
4051
4152 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 221 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:221. (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which is a special fund, is continued in existence. Any moneys that are directed by law to be paid into the fund shall be paid into it and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be expended solely for the enforcement of the law under which the moneys were derived. The expenditure from the fund for the enforcement of any law shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, exceed the amount of moneys that is credited to the fund pursuant to the law.(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated in subdivision (c) are hereby continuously appropriated to the department without regard to fiscal years for expenditure in carrying out the purposes for which the moneys were deposited and for making the refunds authorized by Section 302.(c) All moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated below are hereby exempted from Sections 13320 to 13324, inclusive, of the Government Code:(1) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) and Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 5850) of Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Division 4, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3 of Division 4, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.(2) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(3) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 6047.1) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(4) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6981) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 4.(5) Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4.(6) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14200), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 14501), and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14901) of Division 7.(7) Part 1 (commencing with Section 16301) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 17401) of Division 9.(8) Sections 19225, 19227, 19312, and 19315.(9) Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001).(10) Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001).(11) Part 4 (commencing with Section 27501) of Division 12.(12) Division 16 (commencing with Section 40501).(13) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.(14) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 52001) of Division 18.(15) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 52251) of Division 18.(16) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 52651) of Division 18.(17) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 52851) of Division 18.(18) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55401), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 56101), and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 56701) of Division 20.(19) Section 58582.(20) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 61301), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 61801), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 62700) of Part 3 of Division 21.(21) Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000).(22) Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 12531) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(23) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(24) Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 13400) and Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 13700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) is added to Part 4 of Division 4 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.5. Broomrape Program Article 1. General Provisions7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.(b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.(c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.(d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.(e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.(f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program. Article 2. Definitions7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:(a) Board means the Broomrape Board.(b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.(c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:(A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.(B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.(C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.(D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.(2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.(d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.(e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.(f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California. Article 3. Broomrape Board7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.(b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.(c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.(d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Article 4. Powers and Duties7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(a) Conducting research related to broomrape.(b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.(c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.(d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.(f) Establishing an annual budget.(g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:(a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.(b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.(c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation. 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board. Article 5. Fund and Assessments7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.(b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.(c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.(b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.(c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.(b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.(c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.(b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator. Article 6. Enforcement7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter. Article 7. Operation7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
4253
4354 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4455
4556 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4657
4758 SECTION 1. Section 221 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:221. (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which is a special fund, is continued in existence. Any moneys that are directed by law to be paid into the fund shall be paid into it and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be expended solely for the enforcement of the law under which the moneys were derived. The expenditure from the fund for the enforcement of any law shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, exceed the amount of moneys that is credited to the fund pursuant to the law.(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated in subdivision (c) are hereby continuously appropriated to the department without regard to fiscal years for expenditure in carrying out the purposes for which the moneys were deposited and for making the refunds authorized by Section 302.(c) All moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated below are hereby exempted from Sections 13320 to 13324, inclusive, of the Government Code:(1) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) and Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 5850) of Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Division 4, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3 of Division 4, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.(2) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(3) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 6047.1) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(4) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6981) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 4.(5) Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4.(6) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14200), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 14501), and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14901) of Division 7.(7) Part 1 (commencing with Section 16301) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 17401) of Division 9.(8) Sections 19225, 19227, 19312, and 19315.(9) Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001).(10) Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001).(11) Part 4 (commencing with Section 27501) of Division 12.(12) Division 16 (commencing with Section 40501).(13) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.(14) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 52001) of Division 18.(15) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 52251) of Division 18.(16) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 52651) of Division 18.(17) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 52851) of Division 18.(18) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55401), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 56101), and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 56701) of Division 20.(19) Section 58582.(20) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 61301), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 61801), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 62700) of Part 3 of Division 21.(21) Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000).(22) Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 12531) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(23) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(24) Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 13400) and Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 13700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.
4859
4960 SECTION 1. Section 221 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:
5061
5162 ### SECTION 1.
5263
5364 221. (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which is a special fund, is continued in existence. Any moneys that are directed by law to be paid into the fund shall be paid into it and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be expended solely for the enforcement of the law under which the moneys were derived. The expenditure from the fund for the enforcement of any law shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, exceed the amount of moneys that is credited to the fund pursuant to the law.(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated in subdivision (c) are hereby continuously appropriated to the department without regard to fiscal years for expenditure in carrying out the purposes for which the moneys were deposited and for making the refunds authorized by Section 302.(c) All moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated below are hereby exempted from Sections 13320 to 13324, inclusive, of the Government Code:(1) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) and Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 5850) of Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Division 4, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3 of Division 4, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.(2) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(3) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 6047.1) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(4) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6981) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 4.(5) Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4.(6) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14200), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 14501), and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14901) of Division 7.(7) Part 1 (commencing with Section 16301) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 17401) of Division 9.(8) Sections 19225, 19227, 19312, and 19315.(9) Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001).(10) Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001).(11) Part 4 (commencing with Section 27501) of Division 12.(12) Division 16 (commencing with Section 40501).(13) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.(14) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 52001) of Division 18.(15) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 52251) of Division 18.(16) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 52651) of Division 18.(17) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 52851) of Division 18.(18) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55401), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 56101), and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 56701) of Division 20.(19) Section 58582.(20) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 61301), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 61801), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 62700) of Part 3 of Division 21.(21) Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000).(22) Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 12531) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(23) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(24) Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 13400) and Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 13700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.
5465
5566 221. (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which is a special fund, is continued in existence. Any moneys that are directed by law to be paid into the fund shall be paid into it and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be expended solely for the enforcement of the law under which the moneys were derived. The expenditure from the fund for the enforcement of any law shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, exceed the amount of moneys that is credited to the fund pursuant to the law.(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated in subdivision (c) are hereby continuously appropriated to the department without regard to fiscal years for expenditure in carrying out the purposes for which the moneys were deposited and for making the refunds authorized by Section 302.(c) All moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated below are hereby exempted from Sections 13320 to 13324, inclusive, of the Government Code:(1) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) and Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 5850) of Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Division 4, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3 of Division 4, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.(2) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(3) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 6047.1) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(4) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6981) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 4.(5) Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4.(6) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14200), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 14501), and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14901) of Division 7.(7) Part 1 (commencing with Section 16301) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 17401) of Division 9.(8) Sections 19225, 19227, 19312, and 19315.(9) Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001).(10) Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001).(11) Part 4 (commencing with Section 27501) of Division 12.(12) Division 16 (commencing with Section 40501).(13) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.(14) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 52001) of Division 18.(15) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 52251) of Division 18.(16) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 52651) of Division 18.(17) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 52851) of Division 18.(18) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55401), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 56101), and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 56701) of Division 20.(19) Section 58582.(20) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 61301), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 61801), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 62700) of Part 3 of Division 21.(21) Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000).(22) Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 12531) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(23) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(24) Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 13400) and Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 13700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.
5667
5768 221. (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which is a special fund, is continued in existence. Any moneys that are directed by law to be paid into the fund shall be paid into it and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be expended solely for the enforcement of the law under which the moneys were derived. The expenditure from the fund for the enforcement of any law shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, exceed the amount of moneys that is credited to the fund pursuant to the law.(b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated in subdivision (c) are hereby continuously appropriated to the department without regard to fiscal years for expenditure in carrying out the purposes for which the moneys were deposited and for making the refunds authorized by Section 302.(c) All moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated below are hereby exempted from Sections 13320 to 13324, inclusive, of the Government Code:(1) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) and Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 5850) of Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Division 4, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3 of Division 4, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.(2) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(3) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 6047.1) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.(4) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6981) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 4.(5) Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4.(6) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14200), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 14501), and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14901) of Division 7.(7) Part 1 (commencing with Section 16301) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 17401) of Division 9.(8) Sections 19225, 19227, 19312, and 19315.(9) Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001).(10) Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001).(11) Part 4 (commencing with Section 27501) of Division 12.(12) Division 16 (commencing with Section 40501).(13) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.(14) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 52001) of Division 18.(15) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 52251) of Division 18.(16) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 52651) of Division 18.(17) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 52851) of Division 18.(18) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55401), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 56101), and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 56701) of Division 20.(19) Section 58582.(20) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 61301), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 61801), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 62700) of Part 3 of Division 21.(21) Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000).(22) Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 12531) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(23) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.(24) Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 13400) and Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 13700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.
5869
5970
6071
6172 221. (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which is a special fund, is continued in existence. Any moneys that are directed by law to be paid into the fund shall be paid into it and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall be expended solely for the enforcement of the law under which the moneys were derived. The expenditure from the fund for the enforcement of any law shall not, unless otherwise specifically provided, exceed the amount of moneys that is credited to the fund pursuant to the law.
6273
6374 (b) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated in subdivision (c) are hereby continuously appropriated to the department without regard to fiscal years for expenditure in carrying out the purposes for which the moneys were deposited and for making the refunds authorized by Section 302.
6475
6576 (c) All moneys deposited in the fund under the provisions enumerated below are hereby exempted from Sections 13320 to 13324, inclusive, of the Government Code:
6677
6778 (1) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) and Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 5850) of Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Division 4, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3 of Division 4, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.
6879
6980 (2) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.
7081
7182 (3) Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 6047.1) of Chapter 9 of Part 1 of Division 4.
7283
7384 (4) Article 5 (commencing with Section 6981) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 4.
7485
7586 (5) Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) of Part 4 of Division 4.
7687
7788 (6) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14200), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 14501), and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14901) of Division 7.
7889
7990 (7) Part 1 (commencing with Section 16301) and Part 2 (commencing with Section 17401) of Division 9.
8091
8192 (8) Sections 19225, 19227, 19312, and 19315.
8293
8394 (9) Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001).
8495
8596 (10) Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001).
8697
8798 (11) Part 4 (commencing with Section 27501) of Division 12.
8899
89100 (12) Division 16 (commencing with Section 40501).
90101
91102 (13) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.
92103
93104 (14) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 52001) of Division 18.
94105
95106 (15) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 52251) of Division 18.
96107
97108 (16) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 52651) of Division 18.
98109
99110 (17) Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 52851) of Division 18.
100111
101112 (18) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55401), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 56101), and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 56701) of Division 20.
102113
103114 (19) Section 58582.
104115
105116 (20) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 61301), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 61801), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 62700) of Part 3 of Division 21.
106117
107118 (21) Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000).
108119
109120 (22) Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 12531) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.
110121
111122 (23) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.
112123
113124 (24) Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 13400) and Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 13700) of Division 5 of the Business and Professions Code.
114125
115126 SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) is added to Part 4 of Division 4 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.5. Broomrape Program Article 1. General Provisions7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.(b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.(c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.(d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.(e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.(f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program. Article 2. Definitions7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:(a) Board means the Broomrape Board.(b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.(c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:(A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.(B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.(C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.(D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.(2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.(d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.(e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.(f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California. Article 3. Broomrape Board7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.(b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.(c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.(d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Article 4. Powers and Duties7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(a) Conducting research related to broomrape.(b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.(c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.(d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.(f) Establishing an annual budget.(g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:(a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.(b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.(c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation. 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board. Article 5. Fund and Assessments7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.(b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.(c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.(b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.(c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.(b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.(c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.(b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator. Article 6. Enforcement7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter. Article 7. Operation7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.
116127
117128 SEC. 2. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 7401) is added to Part 4 of Division 4 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to read:
118129
119130 ### SEC. 2.
120131
121132 CHAPTER 1.5. Broomrape Program Article 1. General Provisions7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.(b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.(c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.(d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.(e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.(f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program. Article 2. Definitions7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:(a) Board means the Broomrape Board.(b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.(c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:(A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.(B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.(C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.(D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.(2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.(d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.(e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.(f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California. Article 3. Broomrape Board7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.(b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.(c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.(d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Article 4. Powers and Duties7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(a) Conducting research related to broomrape.(b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.(c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.(d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.(f) Establishing an annual budget.(g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:(a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.(b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.(c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation. 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board. Article 5. Fund and Assessments7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.(b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.(c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.(b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.(c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.(b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.(c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.(b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator. Article 6. Enforcement7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter. Article 7. Operation7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.
122133
123134 CHAPTER 1.5. Broomrape Program Article 1. General Provisions7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.(b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.(c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.(d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.(e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.(f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program. Article 2. Definitions7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:(a) Board means the Broomrape Board.(b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.(c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:(A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.(B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.(C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.(D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.(2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.(d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.(e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.(f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California. Article 3. Broomrape Board7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.(b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.(c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.(d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Article 4. Powers and Duties7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(a) Conducting research related to broomrape.(b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.(c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.(d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.(f) Establishing an annual budget.(g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:(a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.(b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.(c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation. 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board. Article 5. Fund and Assessments7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.(b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.(c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.(b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.(c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.(b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.(c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.(b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator. Article 6. Enforcement7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter. Article 7. Operation7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.
124135
125136 CHAPTER 1.5. Broomrape Program
126137
127138 CHAPTER 1.5. Broomrape Program
128139
129140 Article 1. General Provisions7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.(b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.(c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.(d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.(e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.(f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program.
130141
131142 Article 1. General Provisions
132143
133144 Article 1. General Provisions
134145
135146 7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.(b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.(c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.(d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.(e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.(f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.
136147
137148
138149
139150 7401. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:
140151
141152 (a) Broomrape is an invasive weed that presents a clear and present danger to Californias agricultural industry due to its harmful impact on crop yields and land values of commercial food crops including, but not limited to, lettuce, tomato, cauliflower, potato, hemp, eggplant, pomegranate, peppers, beans, peas, carrot, celery, mustard, spinach, sunflower, safflower, and fennel. Susceptible food crops, with an economic value at nearly six billion dollars ($6,000,000,000), may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. Broomrape also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable for planting susceptible crops for decades.
142153
143154 (b) Broomrape represents a clear and present danger to Californias natural environment, with susceptible hosts comprising native California flora, including rare or endangered species, such as showy Indian clover (T. amoenum), Bucks clover (T. buckwestiorum), and Monterey clover (Trifolium trichocalyx). The potential long-term damage to Californias native biodiversity and environment from this pest may be irreparable and action must be taken to ensure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment by developing and involving regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.
144155
145156 (c) The states agricultural economy and environment could be rapidly and seriously damaged if measures are not expanded to prevent the spread of broomrape, which can produce an estimated 10,000 to 100,000 seeds per infectious plant.
146157
147158 (d) Financial support for the purposes of this chapter shall be provided by commodities designated in this chapter or included by the board and concurred in by the secretary in accordance with procedures specified in this chapter, and by public funds when available.
148159
149160 (e) The necessity of controlling broomrape is recognized as being in the public interest.
150161
151162 (f) This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.
152163
153164 7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program.
154165
155166
156167
157168 7402. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Program.
158169
159170 Article 2. Definitions7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:(a) Board means the Broomrape Board.(b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.(c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:(A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.(B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.(C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.(D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.(2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.(d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.(e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.(f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California.
160171
161172 Article 2. Definitions
162173
163174 Article 2. Definitions
164175
165176 7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:(a) Board means the Broomrape Board.(b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.(c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:(A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.(B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.(C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.(D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.(2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.(d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.(e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.(f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California.
166177
167178
168179
169180 7405. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:
170181
171182 (a) Board means the Broomrape Board.
172183
173184 (b) Broomrape or Orobanche means a small parasitic herbaceous plant.
174185
175186 (c) (1) Districts consists of the following geographical areas:
176187
177188 (A) District 1: The Counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.
178189
179190 (B) District 2: The Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.
180191
181192 (C) District 3: The Counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.
182193
183194 (D) District 4: The Counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside and Tulare, and that portion of the County of Los Angeles lying north of the San Gabriel Mountains.
184195
185196 (2) When necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, additional areas of the state may be added to these districts or additional districts may be established through regulation when recommended by the board and approved by the secretary.
186197
187198 (d) Handler means a person or entity who receives tomatoes from a producer and who prepares the tomatoes for processing.
188199
189200 (e) Person means a producer, handler, or any other entity that holds title to tomatoes subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.
190201
191202 (f) Producer means a person engaged in the commercial production of processing tomatoes in California.
192203
193204 Article 3. Broomrape Board7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.(b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.(c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.(d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department.
194205
195206 Article 3. Broomrape Board
196207
197208 Article 3. Broomrape Board
198209
199210 7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.
200211
201212
202213
203214 7410. There is hereby established in the department a Broomrape Board.
204215
205216 7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.(b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.(c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.(d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.
206217
207218
208219
209220 7411. (a) The secretary shall appoint at least 12 members to the board. The board shall consist of at least three representatives from each district and shall be comprised of persons recommended by the tomato industry and approved by the secretary.
210221
211222 (b) The term of service and other board related operational issues shall be established by the board and approved by the secretary.
212223
213224 (c) The secretary may appoint a public member to the board from a list of persons provided by the board who do not have a financial interest in any commodities subject to this chapter but may have general knowledge of commercial agricultural practices. The public member shall have the same voting and other rights and immunities as other members of the board.
214225
215226 (d) The secretary, in consultation with the board, may appoint nonvoting ex officio members to the board, including, but not limited to, county agricultural commissioners, pest control advisors, and representatives of the University of California and California State University system.
216227
217228 7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.
218229
219230
220231
221232 7412. Persons appointed to the board are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural commodities concerned, and that the representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest and accordingly is tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.
222233
223234 7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department.
224235
225236
226237
227238 7413. A member or agent of the board shall not be personally liable for the actions of the board or the department. A member or agent of the board shall not be responsible individually in any way to any other person for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, by either commission or omission, as a principal, agent, or employee except for their own individual acts of dishonesty or crime. A member or agent of the board is not responsible individually for an act or omission of any other member or agent of the board or the department. Liability is several and not joint, and a member or agent of the board is not liable for the default of any other member or agent of the board or the department.
228239
229240 Article 4. Powers and Duties7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(a) Conducting research related to broomrape.(b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.(c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.(d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.(f) Establishing an annual budget.(g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:(a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.(b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.(c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation. 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board.
230241
231242 Article 4. Powers and Duties
232243
233244 Article 4. Powers and Duties
234245
235246 7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(a) Conducting research related to broomrape.(b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.(c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.(d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.(f) Establishing an annual budget.(g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.(h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.
236247
237248
238249
239250 7420. The board shall recommend specific actions to the secretary, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
240251
241252 (a) Conducting research related to broomrape.
242253
243254 (b) Disseminating technical information and progress reports to stakeholders.
244255
245256 (c) Surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating causes of broomrape.
246257
247258 (d) Funding activities, including, but not limited to, grants that may be required to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
248259
249260 (e) Establishing an annual assessment rate or schedule of rates that shall be paid equally by producers and handlers.
250261
251262 (f) Establishing an annual budget.
252263
253264 (g) Specifying other commodities produced in California that shall be subject to this chapter, increasing membership on the board to include producers and handlers of those commodities, and establishing an assessment rate consistent with expenditures needed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
254265
255266 (h) Adoption of regulations recommended by the board relating to broomrape.
256267
257268 7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:(a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.(b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.(c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation.
258269
259270
260271
261272 7421. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the board for the adoption of regulations, the secretary shall do one of the following:
262273
263274 (a) Initiate appropriate action to implement the recommendation of the board.
264275
265276 (b) Decline to initiate action on the recommendation of the board and provide the board with a written statement of reasons for the decision.
266277
267278 (c) Request that the board provide additional information regarding the recommendation.
268279
269280 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.
270281
271282
272283
273284 7422. The secretary may appoint a statewide coordinator to establish the board and enact any activities specified in this chapter.
274285
275286 7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.
276287
277288
278289
279290 7423. The board shall authorize reimbursement of the secretary for all expenditures incurred by the secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter.
280291
281292 7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board.
282293
283294
284295
285296 7424. The secretary shall not receive reimbursement for costs that exceed expenditures authorized in the annual budget without first receiving authorization from the board.
286297
287298 Article 5. Fund and Assessments7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.(b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.(c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.(b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.(c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.(b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.(c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.(b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator.
288299
289300 Article 5. Fund and Assessments
290301
291302 Article 5. Fund and Assessments
292303
293304 7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.(b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.(c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.
294305
295306
296307
297308 7430. (a) There is hereby created the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.
298309
299310 (b) The Broomrape Management Account may consist of funds made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic fund sources. Money made available from federal, industry, and other nonpublic sources shall be continuously appropriated and made available for expenditure without regard to fiscal year for the purposes of this chapter.
300311
301312 (c) Any funds within the Broomrape Management Account shall be used to reimburse the secretary for the costs of carrying out recommendations of the board.
302313
303314 7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.(b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.(c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.
304315
305316
306317
307318 7431. (a) The board shall recommend an assessment rate or schedule of rates for approval by the secretary.
308319
309320 (b) The secretary may adjust the assessment rate or schedule of rates from time to time when recommended by the board.
310321
311322 (c) The assessment rate or schedule of rates may vary from district to district and from commodity to commodity based on multiple factors, including the degree of vulnerability to damage from broomrape experienced by producers.
312323
313324 7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.
314325
315326
316327
317328 7432. The assessments collected from producers shall be paid by handlers to the secretary as provided by the secretary.
318329
319330 7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.(b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.(c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.
320331
321332
322333
323334 7433. (a) Any assessment that is imposed on the producer or handler pursuant to this article is a personal debt of the person assessed.
324335
325336 (b) Failure to collect the assessment does not exempt the person assessed from liability and does not relieve a person from the obligation to pay the assessment.
326337
327338 (c) Any person who fails to file a report or pay the assessment or otherwise comply with this chapter shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the assessment determined to be due, and, in addition, shall pay 1.5 percent interest per month on the unpaid balance of the assessment and the penalty.
328339
329340 7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.(b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.
330341
331342
332343
333344 7434. (a) Any funds received pursuant to this article shall be deposited and handled in a manner determined by the board and shall be expended for the purposes, administration, and enforcement of this chapter.
334345
335346 (b) To the extent that revenue generated from Section 7430 is insufficient to repay the expenditures associated with this program, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund shall be held harmless, and the secretary shall not be required to administer the provisions of this chapter.
336347
337348 7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator.
338349
339350
340351
341352 7434.5. Any costs incurred by the department in establishing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be solely reimbursed by the assessment. These costs include, but are not limited to, startup costs incurred by the department before collecting the assessment, the costs of developing any regulations pursuant to this chapter, and the ongoing costs associated with the statewide coordinator.
342353
343354 Article 6. Enforcement7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter.
344355
345356 Article 6. Enforcement
346357
347358 Article 6. Enforcement
348359
349360 7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter.
350361
351362
352363
353364 7435. The secretary may establish regulations and enforcement provisions for purposes of this chapter consistent with the intent expressed in this division and any action shall be liberally construed to effectuate the intent of this chapter.
354365
355366 Article 7. Operation7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.
356367
357368 Article 7. Operation
358369
359370 Article 7. Operation
360371
361372 7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.
362373
363374
364375
365376 7440. This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2028, and, as of January 1, 2029, is repealed.
366377
367378 7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.
368379
369380
370381
371382 7441. Upon the inoperative date of this chapter, any remaining funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be refunded on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected during the 12-month period before the inoperative date, unless the secretary finds the amounts returnable are minimal and therefore impractical to refund, or the person who paid the assessment cannot be located, in which case the funds may be used for broomrape control or related research activities.
372383
373384 SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
374385
375386 SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
376387
377388 SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
378389
379390 ### SEC. 3.