(a) The secretary shall appoint a committee pursuant to subdivision (b) to provide recommendations and advice on all matters pertaining to the implementation and enforcement of this division.

(b) The committee shall be composed of 13 voting members who have a financial interest, either personal or through their employment, in a commodity represented. The secretary shall appoint the members of the committee from a list of nominees provided by the commodity groups subject to this article, as follows:

(1) Four members shall be appointed from the fresh fruit commodity group consisting of oranges, other citrus fruits, strawberries, and table grapes.

(2) Two members shall be appointed to represent other fresh fruit commodities.

(3) Four members shall be appointed from the fresh vegetable commodity group consisting of broccoli, tomatoes, and lettuce.

(4) Two members shall be appointed to represent other vegetable commodity groups.

(5) One member shall be appointed from other commodity groups subject to this article.

(6) A county agricultural commissioner may be appointed by the secretary as a nonvoting member.

(c) The committee shall meet at the request of the secretary, the committee chairperson, or upon the request of four committee members.

(d) Any committee member who represents a commodity that has been exempted from the application of this article shall be replaced with a member chosen to maintain the balance between the commodity groups.

(e) The committee shall appoint its own officers, including a chairperson, one or more vice chairpersons, and any other officers it deems necessary.

(f) Committee members may participate in meetings of the committee by means of telephone conference calls.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 241, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1997.)