The following persons shall pay to the secretary a maximum fee of fifteen cents ($0.15) for each 30 dozen eggs sold as provided below:
(a)
California egg handlers shall pay the fee on all egg sales from their own production, on eggs purchased or acquired from California egg producers, and on eggs processed into egg products. California egg handlers shall not pay a fee on eggs purchased from out-of-state egg handlers or egg producers.
(b)
California egg producers shall pay the fee on all egg sales to anyone not registered under this chapter as an egg handler, to out-of-state purchasers, and to egg breaking plants.
(c)
Out-of-state egg handlers and producers
shall report and pay the fee on egg sales into California sold to a retailer, producer, handler, or breaking plant, and on egg products brought into the state, at a maximum rate of fifteen cents ($0.15) for each equivalent of 30 dozen eggs.
(d)
Shipments of eggs that are accompanied by a United States Department of Agriculture certificate of grade and sold to the federal government or its agencies are exempt from these fees.
(e)
Eggs sold to household consumers on the premises where produced from a total flock size of 500 hens or fewer are exempt from these fees.
(f)
The assessment provided for in this section shall be paid only once on any particular egg.