Article 8. Continuation Or Suspension And Termination of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 22. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 7. >> Article 8.

Between September 1, 1985, and August 31, 1986, the commission shall cause a referendum to be conducted among producers in the manner prescribed in Section 69062 to determine whether the operations of this chapter shall be reapproved and continued in effect. If the secretary finds that a favorable vote has been given, the secretary shall so certify and this chapter shall remain effective. If the secretary finds that a favorable vote has not been given, the secretary shall so certify and declare the operation of this chapter and the commission suspended upon the expiration of the marketing season ending August 31, 1986. Thereupon, the operations of the commission shall be concluded and funds distributed in the manner provided in Section 69104. No bond or security shall be required for any such referendum.

Following a favorable referendum conducted prior to August 31, 1986, a referendum shall be conducted by the commission every fifth year thereafter between October 1st and January 31st, following procedures provided by this section, unless a referendum is conducted as the result of a petition pursuant to Section 69103. In such case the referendum shall be every fifth year following the industry petitioned referendum.

Upon a finding by a two-thirds vote of the commission that the operation of this chapter has not tended to effectuate its declared purposes, the commission may recommend to the secretary that the operation of this chapter be suspended. However, any suspension shall not become effective until the expiration of the current marketing season. The secretary shall, upon receipt of that recommendation, or may, after a public hearing to review a petition filed with the secretary requesting suspension, signed by 15 percent of the producers by number who produced not less than 15 percent of the volume in the immediately preceding season, cause a referendum to be conducted among the listed producers to determine if the operation and the operations of the commission shall be suspended. The secretary shall establish a referendum period, that shall not be less than 10 days or more than 60 days in duration. The secretary may prescribe additional procedures necessary to conduct a referendum. At the close of the established referendum period, the secretary shall tabulate the ballots filed during the referendum period. If at least 40 percent of the total number of producers from the list established by the secretary participate in the referendum, the secretary shall continue the operation of this chapter, if the secretary finds either one of the following:
  (a) Sixty-five percent or more of the producers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of continuation of this chapter, and the producers so voting marketed a majority or more of the total quantity of pistachios marketed in the preceding marketing season by all of the producers who voted in the referendum.
  (b) A majority of the producers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of continuation of this chapter, and that the producers so voting marketed 65 percent or more of the total quantity of pistachios marketed in the preceding season by all of the producers who voted in the referendum.

After the effective date of suspension of the operation of the provisions of this chapter and of the commission, the operations of the commission shall be concluded and any and all moneys remaining held by the commission, collected by assessment and not required to defray the expenses of concluding and terminating operations of the commission, shall be returned upon a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments were collected in the immediately preceding current marketing season; provided further, however, that if the commission finds that the amounts so returnable are so small as to make impractical the computation and remitting of such pro rata refund to such persons, any such moneys remaining and any moneys remaining after payment of all expenses of winding up and terminating operations shall be withdrawn from the approved depository and paid into the State Treasury as unclaimed trust moneys.

Upon suspension of the operation of this chapter and of the commission, the commission shall mail a copy of the notice of suspension to all producers affected by the suspension whose names and addresses are on file.