Organic products: county agricultural commissioners: civil penalties.

Existing law authorizes the Secretary of Food and Agriculture or a county agricultural commissioner to levy a civil penalty, as provided, against a person who violates the California Organic Products Act of 2003, or any regulation adopted pursuant to that act, or regulations adopted by the National Organic Program. Existing law provides that a civil penalty levied by a county agricultural commissioner may be recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the county. This bill would authorize a county agricultural commissioner, or his or her representative, after the exhaustion of review procedures, to file a certified copy of a final decision of the commissioner that directs the payment of a civil penalty and, if applicable, a copy of any order that denies a petition for a writ of administrative mandamus with the clerk of the superior court of any county, and require the clerk to immediately enter judgment in conformity with the decision or order. The bill would provide that no fees shall be charged by the clerk of the superior court for the performance of any official service required in connection with the entry of judgment.