Section 44975 Of Article 1. Container Certification And Fees From California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 17. >> Chapter 9. >> Article 1.
44975
. (a) Each handler of avocados shall pay to the director an
inspection and certification fee each month. The fee shall be based
on the number of pounds certified as determined by the director.
However, in no event shall the fee be greater than twenty-five cents
($0.25) per hundredweight of pounds prepared for market. The number
of pounds certified shall be reported monthly to the director, and
these reports shall include all information required by the director.
The fee required by this section shall be paid no later than the
10th day of the month following the month for which the fee is
payable. Any handler who fails to pay the fee within the time
required shall pay the director a penalty of 10 percent of the amount
determined to be due, and, in addition, 1 1/2 percent interest per
month on the unpaid balance. The director may adjust the fee from
time to time and reduce it whenever he or she finds the cost of
administering this article may be defrayed from revenue derived from
lower fees.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), whenever the fees derived
from pounds certified do not cover the cost of inspection, the
director may establish hourly and mileage rates for inspection and
certification of avocados based upon the cost of providing that
inspection and certification. However, alternatively, a handler may
present his or her avocados for inspection and certification on a
date, time, and location specified by the director and pay the fees
charged pursuant to subdivision (a).