The trust fund shall continue in existence for as long as any of the agricultural programs specified in subdivision (b) of Section 230 continues to exist. Upon termination of any of those agricultural programs, all of that program’s remaining funds, exclusive of all financial obligations of that program, shall be returned on a pro rata basis to all persons from whom assessments or fees were collected for purposes of that program in the immediately preceding marketing season. However, if the director finds that the amounts returnable are so small as to make impractical the computation and remitting of a pro rata refund to those persons, any funds remaining after payment of all expenses shall be paid to any existing state or federally authorized agricultural program relating to the same industry. If no such program exists, any remaining money shall be paid to the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund. If the account of a terminating agricultural program is insufficient to meet all financial obligations, the director may borrow a pro rata share from all other accounts in the trust fund to pay those obligations. The director shall collect a supplemental assessment from all persons from whom assessments or fees were collected for the purposes of the program being terminated in the immediately preceding marketing seasons to reimburse the trust fund. Upon the termination of all the agricultural programs specified in subdivision (b) of Section 230, the trustee shall transfer the remaining funds to the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.

(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 872, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1994.)