Article 6.5. Seed-certifying Agencies of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 18. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 6.5.

The secretary shall, by regulation, establish a list of seed-certifying agencies that the secretary finds qualified to certify as to the variety, purity, quality, type, strain, or other genetic character of agricultural or vegetable seed. The secretary shall consult with the director of the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station before approving the qualifications of any seed-certifying agency.

A seed-certifying agency may conduct or fund research projects that the agency, in its sole discretion, deems beneficial to the seed industry.

Each seed-certifying agency shall establish a schedule of fees, in its discretion with input from the seed industry, for certification services provided and research conducted pursuant to this article.

Notwithstanding Section 52321, fees collected pursuant to this article shall be paid directly to the seed-certifying agency and shall be expended only for a purpose authorized by this chapter.

A seed-certifying agency, pursuant to procedures adopted by the seed-certifying agency, may impose a late charge on any person who fails to pay any fee required by this article within the time required by the seed-certifying agency.

In addition to any late charge, a seed-certifying agency, pursuant to procedures adopted by the seed-certifying agency, may suspend certification services to any person who fails to timely pay any fee or late charge required by this article.