Article 3. Proof Of Ownership of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 17. >> Chapter 9. >> Article 3.

Every person who is in possession of over 25 pounds of avocados that are produced in this state shall possess a record of proof of ownership of the avocados.

(a) Upon probable cause to believe any avocados regulated by this chapter are in unlawful possession, proof of ownership shall be made available for inspection upon the request of the director or any peace officer. If the director has probable cause to believe that any avocados regulated by this chapter are in unlawful possession, he or she may request a peace officer to stop the vehicle pursuant to Section 45037 for inspection.
  (b) The proof of ownership record shall contain all of the following information:
  (1) The name, address, telephone number, and signature of the seller or the seller's authorized representative.
  (2) The name and address of the buyer or consignee if not sold.
  (3) The common name "avocados" and the quantity of the avocados.
  (4) The date of transaction.

A bill of lading, bill of sale, certified farmers certificate, any data obtainable by electronic transmission which is accessible to a common carrier, or a similar type document shall be considered proof of ownership for purposes of this chapter.

It is unlawful for any person to knowingly falsify or cause to be falsified any information in a record intended to show proof of ownership.

A copy of the proof of ownership record shall be retained by the buyer and seller for a period of one year after sale.

This article does not apply to avocados transported and accompanied by a valid permit, disposal order, or certificate issued by the director or the commissioner for any reason other than to comply with this article.

Upon probable cause to believe avocados regulated by this chapter are being unlawfully transported, any peace officer may stop the transporting vehicle and request a record of proof of ownership of the avocados.

Upon reasonable belief that a person is in unlawful possession of avocados regulated by this chapter, the avocados may be seized by the director or any peace officer and shall be turned over to the custody of the director. The director may hold the commodity on the premises where it was seized until disposed of pursuant to Section 45040.

The director or a peace officer may investigate to ascertain the ownership of any avocados that have been held pursuant to this chapter. If the lawful owner is located, the avocados shall be released to the owner, or his or her agent. The director may require reasonable payment to cover costs incurred in the storing of the avocados, but not to exceed the value of the avocados.

(a) If for any reason the avocados are not released to the rightful owner after being in the custody of the secretary for 48 hours or, in the case of highly perishable avocados, any shorter period of time that the secretary deems necessary, the secretary may either sell the avocados by private sale at fair grower market value or, after 72 hours from the time of seizure, donate the avocados to a nonprofit charitable organization. If donated, the avocados shall not be sold by the receiving party. If sold by the secretary, all of the proceeds derived from the sale of the commodity shall be held by the secretary for a period of not less than six months, during which time the lawful owner of the avocados may submit satisfactory proof of ownership and obtain possession of the proceeds. The secretary may require the payment by the owner of an amount sufficient to cover the costs incurred for storage and sale of the avocados, but not to exceed the sale price of the avocados. If, after retention of the proceeds for a period of at least six months, no demand is made or if proof of ownership is not supplied, the secretary shall deposit the proceeds of the sale of the avocados with the California Avocado Commission.
  (b) If the avocados are unfit for human consumption, the secretary may destroy them.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, a violation of this article is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).
  (b) A conviction of a second or subsequent violation of this article is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment.
  (c) A violation of this article is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment, if the retail value of the avocados in violation is in excess of five hundred dollars ($500).

This article establishes minimal requirements for the transportation, identification, disposition, and use of funds derived from the disposition of avocados seized pursuant to this article. A county may, by ordinance, impose additional requirements regarding these requirements.