Article 3. Leases And Rentals of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 1. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 3.

Any building or improvement which is provided by the department pursuant to this chapter may contain space in excess of the requirements of the department. Until needed, such excess space may be leased or let by the department at such rental and upon such terms and conditions as are approved by the Department of General Services. The rentals charged shall be sufficient to provide a reasonable return to the Department of Agriculture Fund or other fund that is subject to the jurisdiction of the director for any contributions which are made for the cost of the construction of the building or improvement until the entire amount contributed, together with reasonable interest, has been returned.

The department, with the approval of the Department of General Services, shall determine the amounts which are returnable to the respective funds. The amounts shall not exceed the amount of the original contributions from the respective funds. Interest may, however, be paid on any contributions in the manner and amount which the department, with the approval of the Director of General Services, determines.

During the period of repayment, the department may contract with the Department of General Services to handle the rentals of any space over and above that which is required for the department and to furnish general supervision and maintenance in any building or improvement which is constructed pursuant to this chapter.

The director shall allocate space to the commissions, divisions, bureaus, advisory boards, and services which comprise the department or agencies that are subject to its jurisdiction which are supported from funds from which money is expended for the construction of buildings or improvements. He shall charge a rental for such space until such time as the contributions which are made from the Department of Agriculture Fund, or other funds subject to the jurisdiction of the director, have been repaid pursuant to this chapter.

The occupancy of any space which is not required by the department for the commissions, divisions, bureaus, advisory boards, and services which are mentioned in Section 654 shall be confined to that of other functions of the department, of other state agencies, of official agencies cooperating with the department under agreement, or of official agricultural agencies of the state or county. Rentals comparable to the rentals which are required by Section 654 shall be charged for such space.

When all funds have been reimbursed for contributions which are made for the construction and equipping of any building or facility, the Department of General Services shall assume control of the operation and management of the building, improvement or facility. The Department of Agriculture shall have priority to occupy any space within any such building before the space is leased or let to any other agency at rental rates which are comparable to those charged to other state agencies for comparable facilities in other state-owned buildings.