(a)
An inspection tonnage tax at the maximum rate of fifteen cents ($0.15) per ton of commercial feed sold, except whole grains, and whole hays when unmixed, shall be paid to the secretary by any person who distributes commercial feed to a consumer-buyer in this state. The distributor shall also pay an inspection tonnage tax for purchased commercial feed fed to his or her own animals.
(b)
The secretary may, based upon a finding and recommendation of the Feed Inspection Advisory Board, determine the specific rate necessary to provide the revenue needed to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The secretary and the Feed Inspection Advisory Board shall not exceed the maximum
tonnage rate established by this section. Setting the tonnage tax rate shall not be subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(c)
The secretary may, based upon a finding and recommendation of the Feed Inspection Advisory Board, designate 15 percent of the tonnage taxes collected, or two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), whichever amount is greater, to provide funding for research and education regarding the safe manufacture, distribution, and use of commercial feed. These funds may only be spent on activities approved by the Feed Inspection Advisory Board, with approval being made before any expenditure.
(d)
This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2020, and as of that date
is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2020, deletes or extends that date.