(a) Each handler of avocados shall pay to the director an inspection and certification fee each month. The fee shall be based on the number of pounds certified as determined by the director. However, in no event shall the fee be greater than twenty-five cents ($0.25) per hundredweight of pounds prepared for market. The number of pounds certified shall be reported monthly to the director, and these reports shall include all information required by the director. The fee required by this section shall be paid no later than the 10th day of the month following the month for which the fee is payable. Any handler who fails to pay the fee within the time required shall pay the director a penalty of 10 percent of the amount determined to be due, and, in addition, 1¹/₂ percent interest per month on the unpaid balance. The director may adjust the fee from time to time and reduce it whenever he or she finds the cost of administering this article may be defrayed from revenue derived from lower fees.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), whenever the fees derived from pounds certified do not cover the cost of inspection, the director may establish hourly and mileage rates for inspection and certification of avocados based upon the cost of providing that inspection and certification. However, alternatively, a handler may present his or her avocados for inspection and certification on a date, time, and location specified by the director and pay the fees charged pursuant to subdivision (a).

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 609, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2000.)