Article 5. Implementation And Voting Procedures of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 22. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 12.5. >> Article 5.

This chapter, except as necessary to conduct an implementation referendum, shall not become operative until the director finds, in a referendum conducted by him or her, or a person designated by the director, that a favorable vote has been given pursuant to this article.

(a) Not later than April 1, 1987, the director shall establish a list of vintners who are eligible to vote on the implementation of this chapter. Eligibility shall be based on volume processed in the immediately preceding marketing season. In establishing the list, the director may require producers, vintners, county agricultural commissioners, and others to submit the names and mailing addresses of all vintners. The director also may require that the information provided include the quantity of winegrapes sold to vintners and the quantity of winegrapes processed by vintners or, in the alternative, may establish procedures for receiving the information at the time of the referendum. The request for this information shall be in writing. The information required by the director shall be filed within 30 days following receipt of the written notice.
  (b) Any vintner whose name does not appear on the director's list may have his or her name included on the list by filing with the director a signed statement identifying himself or herself as a vintner. Failure to be on the list does not exempt the vintner from paying assessments under this chapter.

For the purpose of voting in the referendum required in Section 74621, only a person who would be required to pay the assessment pursuant to Section 74652.5 shall be considered a vintner.

In determining whether this chapter shall become operative, the director shall find that at least 40 percent of the total number of vintners from the list established by the director participated in the referendum, and that either one of the following has occurred:
  (a) Sixty-five percent or more of the vintners who voted in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the vintners so voting processed a majority of the volume of winegrapes in the preceding marketing season by all the vintners who voted in the referendum.
  (b) A majority of the vintners who voted in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the vintners so voting processed 65 percent or more of the volume of winegrapes in the preceding marketing season by all the vintners who voted in the referendum.

The director shall establish a period in which to conduct the referendum which shall not be less than 10 days nor more than 60 days in duration, and may prescribe additional procedures to conduct the referendum. If the initial period established is less than 60 days, the director may extend the period. However, the total referendum period may not exceed 60 days.

Nonreceipt of a ballot shall not invalidate a referendum.

If the director finds that a favorable vote has not been given as provided in this chapter, he or she shall certify and declare this chapter inoperative. If the director finds that a favorable vote has been given as provided in this chapter, he or she shall certify and give notice of the favorable vote to all vintners whose names and addresses may be on file with the director.

Upon certification of the commission, the vintner members and their alternate members who are then serving on the California Wine and Winegrape Improvement Program made effective by the director on August 21, 1984, shall become the initial members and alternate members of the commission and shall serve in accordance with the requirements of Section 74569.

Subsequent to the first election of commissioners under this chapter, persons to be elected to the commission shall be selected pursuant to the nomination and election procedures established by the commission with the concurrence of the director.

(a) Prior to the implementation referendum conducted by the director, the proponents of the commission shall deposit with the director the amount that the director deems necessary to defray the expenses in creating the commission, including, but not limited to, preparing the necessary vintner list and conducting the referendum.
  (b) Any funds remaining after paying expenses shall be returned to the proponents of the commission who deposited the funds with the director.
  (c) The commission may reimburse the proponents of the commission for any funds deposited with the director which were used in carrying out this article and for any legal expenses and costs incurred in establishing the commission.