(a) Commencing on January 1, 1997, and until March 31, 1997, producers of commodities subject to this article may file a petition with the secretary requesting that the commodity be exempted from this article.
(b) Upon a finding by the secretary that the petition represents not less than 51 percent of the producers of the commodity who produce not less than 51 percent of the total quantity of the commodity marketed in the preceding marketing season, the secretary shall do all of the following:
(1) Declare the commodity exempt from this article.
(2) Immediately repeal all regulations pertaining to the commodity adopted by the secretary pursuant to this division.
(3) Make a determination concerning a refund of any assessments collected pursuant to this article.
(c) Commodity exemptions granted pursuant to this section shall be effective immediately on the date of the finding specified in subdivision (b).
(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 241, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)