Article 4. Powers And Duties of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 22. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 27. >> Article 4.

The powers and duties of the commission shall include, but are not limited to, all of those contained in this article.

The commission may adopt and from time to time alter, rescind, modify, and amend all proper and necessary bylaws, rules, regulations, and orders in accordance with commission procedures for purposes of carrying out this chapter, including rules for appeals from any bylaw, rule, regulation, operating procedure, or order of the commission. These actions of the commission shall not be subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

The commission may administer and enforce this chapter and do and perform all acts and exercise all powers incidental to, or in connection with, or deemed reasonably necessary for, proper or advisable effectuation of the purposes of this chapter.

The commission may appoint its own officers, including a chairperson, one or more vice chairpersons, and other officers as it deems necessary. The officers have the powers and duties delegated to them by the commission.

(a) The commission may employ a person to serve at the pleasure of the commission as president of the commission, and other personnel, including legal counsel of its choice, necessary to carry out this chapter. If any person employed by the commission engages in any conduct that the secretary determines is not in the public interest or that is in violation of this chapter, the secretary shall notify the commission of the conduct and request that corrective and, if appropriate, disciplinary action, be taken by the commission. If the commission fails or refuses to correct the situation or to take disciplinary action satisfactory to the secretary, the secretary may suspend or discharge the person.
  (b) The commission may retain a management firm or the staff from any board, commission, or committee of the state or federal government to perform the functions prescribed by this section under the direction of the commission.
  (c) If requested by an advisory board, board of directors, or any authorized agent, the commission may administer any governmental program related to the nursery products industry.

The commission may fix the compensation for all employees of the commission.

The commission may appoint committees composed of both members and nonmembers of the commission to advise the commission in carrying out this chapter.

The commission may establish offices and incur expenses, enter into any and all contracts and agreements, create liabilities, develop, own, and control the use of any intellectual property, and borrow funds in advance of receipt of assessments as may be necessary in the opinion of the commission for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and the performance of its duties.

The commission shall keep accurate books, records, and accounts of all of its dealings, which shall be subject to an annual audit by an auditing firm selected by the commission with the concurrence of the secretary. A summary of the audit shall be reported to all persons subject to this chapter, a copy of which shall also be submitted to the department. In addition, the secretary, as he or she determines necessary, may conduct or cause to be conducted a fiscal and compliance audit of the commission. Except in the first year of operation, the commission shall prepare and make available an annual report within 90 days of the beginning of the fiscal year of all activities and the financial status of the commission to all persons subject to this chapter.

The commission may present facts to, and negotiate with, local, state, federal, and foreign agencies and governments on matters that affect the California nursery industry, including, but not limited to, the maintenance and expansion of present markets, the creation of new and larger markets for nursery products, invasive pest issues, plant health, interstate and foreign export requirements, registration of pesticides, actions applicable to the state and federal environmental laws and regulations, applicable governmental regulations and statutes, and international trade agreements.

The commission may conduct outreach, advertise, and educate and instruct the public and the retail and wholesale trade with respect to the quality, features, uses, and value of nursery products and the practices and methods of production used by nurseries.

The commission may conduct outreach and educate and instruct the wholesale and retail trade, including, but not limited to, their physical and electronic channels of distribution to markets with respect to proper methods of handling and selling nursery products, and conduct consumer, trade, and trading partner surveys and analyses.

The commission may conduct, and contract with others to conduct, research, including the study, analysis, dissemination, and accumulation of information obtained directly or from research or elsewhere, with respect to cultural, production and postharvest practices, and the sourcing, marketing and distribution of nursery products. The results of any research conducted by or on behalf of the commission may be used by the commission in any way it deems appropriate.

The commission may contract to receive and render services in formulating and conducting plans and programs and enter into any other contracts or agreements that the commission deems necessary to carry out this chapter.

The commission may accept contributions of, or match private, state, or federal funds, and employ or make contributions of funds to other persons or local, state, or federal agencies for proper or advisable effectuation of the purposes of this chapter.

In its discretion, the commission may cooperate with or provide funding to other private or governmental entities in the resolution of emergencies arising in the industry and impacting the health and safety of the public or to maintain the continued stability and reputation of the nursery industry.

The commission may collect information, including, but not limited to, industry crop statistics, identity and size of markets, and trading partners, and publish and distribute without charge, a bulletin or other communication to producers of nursery products.

The commission shall establish an assessment rate to be paid by producers to defray operating costs of the commission.

The commission shall establish an annual budget according to generally accepted accounting practices. The budget shall be concurred in by the secretary prior to disbursement of funds, except for disbursements made pursuant to Section 79466.

The commission shall submit to the secretary for his or her concurrence an annual statement of contemplated activities authorized pursuant to this chapter.

The commission may investigate and prosecute civil violations of this chapter and file complaints with appropriate law enforcement agencies or officers for suspected criminal violations of this chapter.

The commission may appoint any person to serve as an ex officio member.