California Apiary Research Commission.

(1) Existing law establishes various commissions to, among other things, promote agricultural products from the state and to conduct research and consumer education relating to those products. This bill would create the California Apiary Research Commission in state government with a prescribed membership, and would specify the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the commission. The commission would be authorized to conduct research and education programs relating to honeybees and the beekeeping industry. The bill would authorize the commission to levy an assessment, as provided, on bee producers, as defined, and would authorize the expenditure of those funds for purposes of implementing and administering the bill's provisions, thereby making an appropriation. The bill, except as necessary to conduct an election, would not become operative until the producers, by referendum, vote in favor of the bill's provisions, as prescribed. The bill would provide that within 30 days after the effective date of the bill's provisions, the Secretary of Food and Agriculture shall, as specified, issue a public notice that the Department of Food and Agriculture is preparing a list of beekeepers who are eligible and may register, as specified, to vote on the implementation of these provisions. The bill would provide that a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 may be levied by the commission upon a person who willfully renders or furnishes a false report, statement, or record; fails to render or furnish a report, statement, or record required by the commission; affects the shipment of pollination units, bees, honey, or hive products to avoid payment of assessments; or secretes, destroys, or alters records that are required to be kept. The bill would authorize the commission to bring certain civil actions and other remedies to enforce the bill's provisions and regulations adopted pursuant to these provisions. The bill would also provide for the continuation and suspension of the operation of its provisions and for concluding the operations of the commission, including requiring the secretary to hold a public hearing every 5 years, as specified. (2) Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.