Article 4. Powers And Duties Of The Commission of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 22. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 15. >> Article 4.

The powers and duties of the commission shall include, but are not limited to, all of those contained in this article.

The commission may adopt and from time to time alter, rescind, modify, and amend all proper and necessary bylaws, rules, regulations, operating procedures, and orders for carrying out this chapter, including rules for appeals from any bylaw, rule, regulation, operating procedure, or order of the commission.

The commission may administer and enforce this chapter and to do and perform all acts and exercise all powers incidental to, or in connection with, or deemed reasonably necessary for proper or advisable effectuation of this chapter. The commission's authority includes, but is not limited to, entering into contracts for services with public and private agencies which are deemed necessary by the commission to carry out this chapter.

The commission may appoint its own officers, including a chairman, one or more vice chairmen, and such other officers as it deems necessary. The officers shall have the powers and duties delegated to them by the commission.

The commission may employ a person to serve at the pleasure of the commission as president and chief executive officer of the commission, and other personnel, including legal counsel, necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The commission may retain a management firm or the staff from any board, commission, or committee of the state to perform the functions prescribed by this section under the control of the commission. If the person engages in any conduct which the director determines is not in the public interest or which is in violation of this chapter, the director shall notify the commission of the conduct and request that corrective and, if appropriate, disciplinary action be taken by the commission. In the event that the commission fails or refuses to correct the situation or to take disciplinary action satisfactory to the director, the director may suspend or discharge the person.

The commission may fix the compensation for all employees of the commission.

The commission may appoint committees composed of both members and nonmembers of the commission including, but not limited to, a committee of handlers, to advise the commission in carrying out this chapter.

The commission may establish offices, incur expenses, enter into any and all contracts and agreements, create liabilities, and borrow funds in advance of receipt of assessments as may be necessary in the opinion of the commission for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and the performance of its duties.

The commission shall keep accurate books, records, and accounts of all of its dealings, which shall be subject to an annual audit by an auditing firm selected by the commission with the concurrence of the director. A summary of the audit shall be made a part of an annual report to all producers, copies of which shall also be submitted to the Legislature and the department. In addition, the director may, as he or she determines necessary, conduct or cause to be conducted a fiscal and compliance audit of the commission.

The commission may promote the sale of lamb, wool, and the products derived therefrom by advertising and other promotional means, including cost-sharing advertising, for the purpose of maintaining and expanding present markets and creating new and larger intrastate, interstate, and foreign markets for lamb and wool, and to educate and instruct the public with respect to the many and varied uses of lamb, wool, and the products derived therefrom.

The commission may educate and instruct the wholesale and retail trade with respect to proper methods of handling and selling wool.

The commission may make market surveys and analyses.

The commission may present facts to, and negotiate with, state, federal, and foreign agencies on matters which affect this chapter.

The commission may make, in its name, contracts to render service in formulating and conducting plans and programs and any other contracts or agreements that the commission may deem necessary for carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

The commission may conduct, and contract with others to conduct, research, including the study, analysis, dissemination, and accumulation of information obtained from the research or elsewhere, regarding this chapter. The results of any research conducted by or on behalf of the commission may be used by the commission in any way it deems appropriate, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, may be maintained in confidence by the commission and not disseminated to any person not subject to this chapter.

The commission may accept contributions of, or match private, state, or federal funds, and employ or make contributions of funds to other persons or state or federal agencies for purposes of promoting, enhancing, and maintaining sheep industry.

The commission may collect information, including, but not limited to, industry statistics, and may publish and distribute, without charge, a bulletin or other communication for dissemination of information to producers and handlers.

The commission may establish an assessment rate to defray operating costs of the commission.

The commission may establish an annual budget according to accepted accounting practices. The budget shall be concurred in by the director prior to disbursement of funds, except for disbursements made pursuant to Section 76286.

The commission may submit to the director, for his or her concurrence, an annual statement of contemplated activities authorized pursuant to this chapter.

The commission may investigate and prosecute civil violations of this chapter and file complaints with appropriate law enforcement agencies or officers for suspected criminal violations of this chapter.