California Table Grape Commission.

Assembly Member Solache's legislation restructures the California Table Grape Commission, modifying its membership from 21 grape producers and one public member to three producers from each of seven districts plus a public member appointed by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. The bill establishes new procedures requiring the commission to maintain and certify an annual list of eligible producers for commissioner elections at least 30 days before nomination meetings.

The legislation expands the commission's authority to include accepting and matching external funding contributions, administering industry-related programs, and conducting promotional activities. It increases the maximum allowable assessment on fresh grapes from $0.006522 to $0.02 per pound, while maintaining exemptions for direct-to-consumer shipments under 150 pounds.

The bill creates a formal grievance process allowing producers to file complaints with the commission or designated committees, with decisions appealable to the Secretary. It establishes a two-year statute of limitations for both commission enforcement actions and stakeholder claims against the commission. The legislation also requires the commission to reimburse the Secretary for election supervision expenses and mandates that shippers maintain detailed shipment records while protecting confidential information.

For commission continuation, the bill requires periodic referendums where at least 40% of producers representing 40% of production volume must participate. Continuation requires either 65% of voting producers representing 51% of volume, or 51% of voting producers representing 65% of volume, to approve. Upon suspension, remaining funds would be distributed pro rata to recent assessment payers or directed to programs benefiting the industry.