The powers and duties of the commission, subject to Sections 69032 and 69033, include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(a)
To adopt and, from time to time, alter, rescind, modify, and amend all proper and necessary bylaws, rules, regulations, and orders for carrying out this chapter, including rules for appeals from any bylaw, rule, regulation, or order of the commission. The adoption, alteration, rescission, modification, or amendment of any bylaw, rule, regulation, or order implementing the brand-credit advertising program authorized pursuant to subdivision (i) is subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(b)
To administer and enforce this chapter, and to do and perform all acts and exercise all powers incidental to, or in connection with, or determined reasonably necessary for, the proper or advisable effectuation of the purposes of this chapter.
(c)
To appoint its own officers, including a chairperson, one or more vice chairpersons, and any other officers as it determines necessary. The officers have the powers and duties delegated to them by the commission.
(d)
To employ a manager to serve at the pleasure of the commission as president and chief executive officer of the commission, and other personnel, including legal counsel, that are necessary to carry out this chapter. The commission may retain a management firm or the staff from any board, commission, or committee of the state to perform the functions prescribed by this subdivision under the control of the commission. If the manager engages in any conduct that the secretary determines is not in the public interest or that is in violation of this chapter, the secretary shall notify the commission of the conduct and request that corrective and, if appropriate, disciplinary action be taken by the commission. If the commission fails or refuses to correct the situation or to take disciplinary action satisfactory to the secretary, the secretary may suspend or discharge the manager.
(e)
To fix the compensation for all employees of the commission.
(f)
To appoint committees composed of both members and nonmembers of the commission, such as a processor advisory committee, to advise the commission in carrying out this chapter.
(g)
To establish offices and incur expenses, invest funds in the permissible investments as specified in Section 58939, enter into any and all contracts and agreements, and create liabilities and borrow funds in advance of receipt of assessments as may be necessary, in the opinion of the commission, for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and the performance of its duties.
(h)
To keep accurate books, records, and accounts of all of its dealings, which books, records, and accounts shall be subject to an annual audit by an auditing firm selected by the commission with the concurrence of the secretary. The audit shall be made a part of an annual report to all producers of pistachios, copies of which shall also be submitted to the Legislature and the department. In addition, the secretary may, as the secretary determines necessary, conduct or cause to be conducted a fiscal and compliance audit of the commission. The Department of Finance may audit books, records, and accounts of the commission at any time.
(i)
To promote the sale of pistachios by advertising and other promotional means, including cost-sharing advertising of pistachios or other complementary products and brand-credit advertising, for the purpose of maintaining and expanding present markets and creating new and larger intrastate, interstate, and foreign markets for pistachios, and to educate and instruct the public with respect to the uses, healthful properties, and nutritional value of pistachios. Any decision to implement a brand-credit advertising program shall be ratified by a vote of producers conducted pursuant to Section 69062.
(j)
To require processors and producer-suppliers to provide records and other information necessary for the commission to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, records and information regarding inventories, shipment destinations, and related information. Such records and information shall be preserved by the processor or producer-supplier for a period of two years and shall be offered and submitted for inspection at any reasonable time upon written demand of the commission or its duly authorized agent.
(k)
To educate and instruct the wholesale and retail trade with respect to proper methods of handling and selling pistachios, make market surveys and analyses, and present facts to, and negotiate with, state, federal, and foreign agencies on matters that affect the marketing of pistachios.
(l)
To make, in the name of the commission, contracts to render service in formulating and conducting plans and programs, and any other contracts or agreements as the commission may determine necessary for the promotion of the sale of pistachios.
(m)
To conduct and contract with others to conduct scientific research, including the study, analysis, dissemination, and accumulation of information obtained from the research or elsewhere, respecting cultural and production practices, and marketing and distribution of pistachios. In connection with the research, the commission may accept contributions of, or match, private, state, or federal funds that may be available for these purposes, and employ or make contributions of funds to other persons or state or federal agencies conducting the research.
(n)
To publish and distribute, without charge, a bulletin or other communication for dissemination of information relating to the pistachio industry to producers, processors, and producer-suppliers.
(o)
To establish an assessment rate to defray operating costs of the commission. Any assessment rate established pursuant to this chapter may be modified in accordance with Section 69081.
(p)
To establish an annual budget according to accepted accounting practices. The budget shall be concurred in by the secretary prior to disbursement of funds, except for disbursements made pursuant to subdivision (e).
(q)
To submit to the secretary, for his or her concurrence, an annual statement of contemplated activities authorized under this chapter, including advertising, promotion, marketing research, and production research.
(r)
To administer any governmental program establishing quality standards for the pistachio industry upon request of an authorized agent of a governmental agency.