(a) There is in the state government the California Pepper Commission. The commission shall be composed of five pepper producers, five pepper handlers, one public member, and may include two at-large members at the discretion of the commission.
(b) Five producers, one from each district, shall be elected by and from producers within the respective districts. Five handlers, representing the major categories of pepper handling as determined by the commission, shall be elected by and from other qualified handlers engaged in the same activity. The determination of what the major categories of pepper handling activities are, and any subsequent change to the categories shall be made by a two-thirds vote of the full commission that is concurred in by the secretary.
(c) The public member shall be appointed to the commission by the secretary from nominees recommended by the commission.
(d) Two at-large members may be elected by the producers and handlers on the commission from among individuals who have a financial interest in the California pepper industry but who are not necessarily producers or handlers as defined in this article.
(e) The secretary and other appropriate individuals as determined by the commission shall be ex officio members of the commission.
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 167, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2005.)