SECTIONS 54442-54447 - California Statutes

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE

SECTION 54442-54447

54442. (a) To aid in preparation of the report required under this
chapter, the secretary shall establish an advisory committee
consisting of the following persons:
(1) Six representatives of cooperative bargaining associations
from names submitted by cooperative bargaining associations, two of
whom shall be appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall be
appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and two of whom shall be
appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
(2) Six representatives of processors from names submitted by
processors, two of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, two of
whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and two of
whom shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
(b) The members of the advisory committee shall be reimbursed for
travel expenses pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted by the
Director of the Department of Personnel Administration pursuant to
Section 19820 of the Government Code for attendance at a meeting
approved by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

54443. The advisory committee shall study and report on all of the
following issues:
(a) Unfair trade practices.
(b) Licensing.
(c) Funding.
(d) Investigation and hearing procedures.
(e) The need for a mechanism to resolve bargaining disputes.
(f) Any other issues relating to this chapter.
(g) Any recommended changes to this chapter.

54444. The advisory committee shall meet not less than once
annually.

54445. The advisory committee shall prepare and transmit a report
to the secretary at a time fixed by the secretary so as to meet his
or her obligation under this article.

54446. (a) The advisory committee shall prepare and submit a report
to the secretary who, in turn, shall report to the Legislature on
the effectiveness of subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 54431 in
successfully aiding the bargaining process between processors and
cooperative bargaining associations. The secretary shall include any
recommended changes to subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 54431 as
part of the report.
(b) After receiving the report, the Assembly Committee on
Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture may hold hearings
on the report.
(c) The report shall, among other things, focus on any specific
abuses of subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 54431.
(d) Annual progress reports on the report shall be submitted by
the advisory committee to the secretary.

54447. This article shall be construed as a continuation of former
Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Division 20.