Article 7. Registries of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 4. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 8. >> Article 7.

The director, for the purpose of promoting and protecting the agricultural industry of the state, may, upon request, inspect plants and the premises upon or near which they are growing and the records of their sources and qualities. He may upon the basis of the information thus determined, maintain registries of the plants which are found not to be infested or infected, or liable to become infested or infected, with pests.

The director may do any of the following:
  (a) Certify as to the pest freedom of plants which may have been inspected or registered or may certify as to the true pest condition of the plants.
  (b) Issue tags, labels, or certificates in evidence of inspection or registry.
  (c) Supervise or conduct any special treatments which may be necessary to insure the pest freedom of plants for propagation or planting purposes.
  (d) Fix uniform fees to be charged for inspections, registrations, certifications, and special treatments. The fees shall be based upon the approximate cost of the service which is rendered.

The director may also establish and enforce regulations which are necessary to carry out the purposes of this article.

The cost of any service which is rendered pursuant to this article shall be paid from the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund out of any money which is derived pursuant to this article and shall not be a charge against the General Fund.

The services which are authorized by this article shall not duplicate services which are being rendered by commissioners.

It is unlawful for any person to alter, deface, or misuse any statement of registry, certificate, label, or tag which is issued pursuant to this article.

Any money which is received by the department pursuant to this article shall be paid into the State Treasury and be credited to the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund. Any money in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund which was derived pursuant to this article may be expended for the administration and enforcement of any or all of the following which relate to nursery stock, notwithstanding any other provision of law which limits the expenditure of this money to some specific purpose or to the administration or enforcement of some specific section, article, chapter, or law:
  (a) Section 435.
  (b) Article 7 (commencing with Section 5821) of Chapter 8 of Part 1.
  (c) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 6701) of Part 3.
  (d) Any other provision of this division, which relates to nursery stock, except Article 5 (commencing with Section 6001) of Chapter 9 or Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 6101) of Part 1, Part 5 (commencing with Section 8401), or Part 6 (commencing with Section 8801).
  (e) Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 53301) of Division 18.