Olive Oil Commission of California.

Under existing law, the Legislature finds and declares that the agricultural and seafood industries are vitally important elements of the state's economy. Existing law provides for various commissions and councils to promote the marketing and production of agricultural or seafood commodities. This bill would create the Olive Oil Commission of California in the state government with a prescribed membership, and would specify the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the commission board of directors. The commission board of directors would be authorized to, among other things, conduct research for specified purposes and recommend to the Secretary of Food and Agriculture olive oil grades and labeling standards. The bill would authorize the commission to levy an annual assessment, not to exceed a specified amount or the reasonable costs of achieving the purposes of these provisions, on producers, as defined, and would authorize the commission to expend 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 of olive oil 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 under certain circumstances. 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 olive oil is received. The bill would authorize the commission to bring certain civil actions to enforce the bill's provisions.