Section 42804 Of Article 6.5. Standardization Program From California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 17. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 6.5.
42804
. (a) On and after March 31, 1997, the secretary shall exempt
any commodity subject to this article and repeal all regulations
pertaining to the commodity adopted by the secretary pursuant to this
division if:
(1) A written petition requesting exemption is filed with the
secretary during the period commencing July 1 and ending December 31
of any year.
(2) The secretary finds that the petition represents not less than
51 percent of the producers directly affected who have produced not
less than 51 percent of the total quantity of the commodity marketed
in the preceding marketing season.
(3) The petition, prior to being submitted to the secretary, was
circulated among the producers directly affected for a period not
exceeding 90 days and was on a form approved by the secretary.
(b) Exemptions granted under this section shall be effective on
July 1 following the year in which the petition is filed with the
secretary.
(c) Any costs incurred by the department in processing any
petition for exemption filed pursuant to this section shall be borne
by the producers representing the commodity for which the petition is
filed.
(d) This section also applies to producers of any commodity who
request the secretary to rescind a previously granted exemption.
(e) All producers directly affected by this section shall provide
the following information to the secretary upon filing of the written
petition requesting exemption:
(1) The correct name and address of each producer or handler.
(2) The quantity of each commodity produced by the producer during
the previous marketing season.
(f) The secretary also may require handlers of commodities subject
to this article to report quantities received from each producer in
the previous season.
(g) Any determination of compliance with this section may be based
upon information provided by producers or handlers of commodities
subject to this article. Failure or refusal to provide that
information within the specified time does not invalidate the
secretary's findings.