State-designated fairs: district agricultural associations: farmers' markets: California Apple Commission.

(1) Existing law defines state-designated fairs as the California Exposition and State Fair and other specified fairs that may receive financial support or are otherwise governed by specified state laws. This bill would make findings and declarations of the Legislature concerning state-designated fairs, and would require a state-designated fair to develop applicable policies and procedures in order to make opportunity purchases, as defined. (2) Existing law divides the state into agricultural districts, and provides for the management of these districts by district agricultural associations. Existing law requires the officers of the association to consist of a board of directors of 9 members. A violation of the statutes governing agricultural districts is generally a misdemeanor. This bill would prohibit directors from officially being seated on the board or participating in a board meeting until they have completed any mandatory forms and training, as required by state law and as determined by the Department of Food and Agriculture. The bill would require a director to complete any form or training that becomes mandatory during their term of office, retake any mandatory training that is required to be repeated periodically, and continue to submit any required forms during their term of office, within 90 days of the form or training requirement or the expiration of the effective period of the form or training, and to be subject to removal from the board if they do not comply, as specified. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) Existing law requires a certified farmers' market operator to annually register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from a county agricultural commissioner that shall be valid for 12 months. This bill would change the period of time in which a certified farmers' market certificate is valid from 12 months to up to 12 months and make other conforming and nonsubstantive changes to these provisions. (4) Existing law provides that there is in state government the California Apple Commission, which consists of 12 apple producers and handler members, and one public member. Existing law specifies the 3 districts of the commission, requires eligible persons from within the districts to elect 3 producers and one handler from each district, and authorizes the commission to modify the number of producers who serve on the commission and are elected from each district. Existing law authorizes the boundaries of any district to be changed by a 23 vote of the members of the commission, as specified. Existing law requires 3 alternative members, one from each district, to be selected pursuant to procedures adopted by the commission. Existing law declares that the commission is a corporate body and has all the powers of a corporation. This bill would instead authorize, after the commission provides notice to all eligible producers, the number of districts and their boundaries to be changed by a 23 vote of the members of the commission, as specified. The bill would instead require, when there are 2 or more districts, the commission to consist of a board of directors of 3 producers and one handler from each district, and one public member. The bill would instead require, when there is one statewide district, the board to consist of no less than 6 producers and one handler, as determined by a 23 vote of the commission, and one public member. The bill would instead require alternate members to be selected pursuant to procedures adopted by the commission. The bill would remove the declaration that the commission is a corporate body and has all the powers of a corporation. The bill would also make other conforming and nonsubstantive changes to certain related provisions. (5) 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.