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.