ARTICLE 5. Implementation and Voting Procedures [77311. - 77320.]

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC 5.

in effect

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77311. Section 77311.

(a) Within 30 days of the effective date of this chapter, the secretary shall have established a list of producers and handlers eligible to vote on implementation of this chapter. In establishing the list, the secretary may require that producers, handlers, and others submit the names and mailing addresses of all producers and handlers. The secretary also may require that the information provided include the quantity of peppers produced by each producer and the quantity of peppers handled by each handler, or, in the alternative, may establish procedures for receiving the information at the time of the referendum vote specified in Section 77312. The request for the information shall be in writing and shall be filed within 10 days following receipt of the request. (b) Any producer or handler whose name does not appear upon the appropriate list may have his or her name placed on the list by filing with the secretary a signed statement identifying himself or herself as a producer or handler. Failure to be on the list does not exempt the person from paying assessments and does not invalidate any industry votes conducted pursuant to this article. (c) Proponents and opponents of the commission may contact producers and handlers on the lists in a form and manner prescribed by the secretary so long as all expenses associated with the contacts are paid in advance.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77312. Section 77312.

This chapter, except as necessary to conduct an implementation referendum vote, shall not become operative until the secretary finds as follows in a referendum vote conducted by the secretary: (a) At least 40 percent of the total number of producers from the list established by the secretary pursuant to this article have participated and that either of the following has occurred: (1) Sixty-five percent of the producers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the producers so voting marketed a majority of the total quantity of peppers in the preceding marketing year by all of the producers who voted in the referendum. (2) A majority of the producers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the producers so voting marketed 65 percent or more of the total quantity of peppers in the preceding marketing year by all of the producers who voted in the referendum. (b) At least 40 percent of the total number of handlers from the list established by the secretary pursuant to this article, have participated, and that either of the following has occurred: (1) Sixty-five percent of the handlers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the handlers so voting handled a majority of the total quantity of peppers in the preceding marketing year by all of the handlers who voted in the referendum. (2) A majority of the handlers who voted in the referendum voted in favor of this chapter, and the handlers so voting handled 65 percent or more of the total quantity of peppers in the preceding marketing year by all of the handlers who voted in the referendum.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77313. Section 77313.

The secretary shall use fresh weight in calculating the volume voted pursuant to Section 77312. For converting dry weight and seed weight to fresh equivalent weight the secretary shall use the following ratios: 5.3 to 1 for dry weight and 220 to 1 for seed weight.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77314. Section 77314.

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

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77315. Section 77315.

Nonreceipt of a ballot shall not invalidate a referendum.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77316. Section 77316.

If the secretary finds that a favorable vote has been given as provided in Section 77312, the secretary shall certify and give notice of the favorable vote to all affected producers and handlers whose names and addresses are on file with the secretary.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77317. Section 77317.

If the secretary finds that a favorable vote has not been given as provided in Section 77312, the secretary shall certify and declare this chapter inoperative. The director may conduct another implementation referendum vote one year or more after the previous vote has been taken.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77318. Section 77318.

Upon certification of the commission, the secretary shall do the following: (a) Contact all producers in each district by mail or call meetings of producers in each district for the purpose of nominating and electing persons to the commission. All producers on the secretary’s list shall be given written notice of any election meetings at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. To be eligible for election to the commission, producer nominees must present to the secretary a nomination petition with the signatures of at least three eligible producers from the district from which the nominee is seeking election. (b) Contact all handlers by mail or by calling a meeting for the purpose of nominating and electing persons to the commission. All handlers on the secretary’s list shall be given written notice of any election meetings at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. To be eligible for election to the commission, handler nominees must present to the secretary a nomination petition with the signatures of at least two eligible handlers who are engaged in the same type of handler activity as the handler seeking nomination.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77319. Section 77319.

Subsequent to the first election of members of the commission pursuant to this chapter, persons to be elected to the commission shall be selected pursuant to nomination and election procedures that are established by the commission with the concurrence of the secretary.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 77320. Section 77320.

(a) Prior to the referendum vote conducted by the secretary pursuant to Section 77312, the proponents of the commission shall deposit with the secretary the amount that the secretary deems necessary to defray the expenses of preparing the necessary lists and information and conducting the vote. (b) Any funds not used in carrying out Section 77312 shall be returned to the proponents of the commission who deposited the funds with the secretary. (c) Upon establishment of the commission, the commission is authorized to reimburse the proponents of the commission for any funds deposited with the secretary that were used in carrying out Section 77312 and for any legal expenses and costs incurred in establishing the commission.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026