LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 606, as amended, Ma. California Blueberry Commission.
Existing law establishes various commissions to promote
agricultural products from the state.
This bill would create the California Blueberry Commission in
state government with a prescribed membership, and would specify the
powers, duties, and responsibilities of the commission. The
commission would be authorized to carry out programs of education,
promotion, marketing, and research relating to blueberries. The bill
would authorize the commission to levy an annual assessment, not to
exceed a specified amount, on producers and handlers of blueberries,
and would authorize the expenditure of those funds for purposes of
implementing the bill, thereby making an appropriation.
The bill, except as necessary to conduct an election, would not
become operative until the producers and handlers of blueberries, by
referendum, vote in favor of the bill's provisions, as prescribed.
The bill would also provide for the suspension of the operation of
its provisions and for concluding the operations of the commission.
The bill would authorize the commission to levy a civil penalty, as
specified, on a person for rendering or furnishing false reports,
secreting, destroying, or altering records, failing to furnish a
report, or failing or refusing to furnish to the commission
information concerning the name and address of persons from whom
blueberries are received. The bill would authorize the commission to
bring certain civil actions to enforce the bill's provisions and
regulations adopted pursuant to these provisions. The bill would also
authorize the commission to recommend to the Secretary of Food and
Agriculture the adoption of blueberry quality standards, product
labeling, or marketing activity, as provided.