The secretary, by regulation, may adopt all of the following:

(a) A list of the plants and crops that the secretary finds are or may be grown in this state.

(b) A list of the plants and crops that the secretary finds are detrimental to agriculture if they occur incidentally in other crops, and which, therefore, are classed as weed seed except if sold alone or as a specific constituent of a definite seed mixture.

(c) A list of noxious weed seed that the secretary finds are prohibited noxious weed seed, as defined in this chapter.

(d) A list of those noxious weed seed that are not classified as prohibited noxious weed seed and are classified by this chapter as restricted noxious weed seed.

(e) A list of substances that are likely to be used for treating grain or other crop seed that the secretary finds and determines are toxic to human beings or animals if used, and an appropriate warning or caution statement for each substance.

(f) (1) (A) Methods and procedures, upon the recommendation of the board, for the conciliation, mediation, or arbitration of disputes between labelers and any persons concerning conformance with label statements, advertisements, financial terms or the lack of payment by a dealer to a grower, or other disputes regarding the quality or performance of seed. The methods and procedures shall be a mandatory prerequisite to pursuing other dispute resolution mechanisms, including, but not limited to, litigation. However, if conciliation, mediation, or arbitration proceedings are commenced under this section to resolve a controversy, the statute of limitations that applies to a civil action concerning that controversy is tolled upon commencement of the conciliation, mediation, or arbitration proceedings, and until 30 days after the completion of those proceedings. As used in this subdivision, “completion of those proceedings” means the filing of a statement of agreement or nonagreement by the conciliator or mediator, or the rendering of a decision by an arbitrator or arbitration committee.

(B) If a proceeding for the conciliation, mediation, or arbitration of a dispute between a dealer and a grower is commenced under this subdivision for conformance with the financial terms by a dealer to a grower, and the decision in the proceeding is in favor of the grower, the decision may include a provision requiring compensation to the grower for the estimated value of the seed production services a grower provides to a dealer, including, but not limited to, labor, care, and expense in growing and harvesting that product.

(C) If a dealer fails to comply with the financial obligations of a judgment rendered in a conciliation, mediation, or arbitration proceeding between a dealer and a grower commenced pursuant to this subdivision following the conclusion of all appeals in the proceeding, the secretary may revoke the dealer’s registration and prevent the dealer from renewing his or her registration until the time the financial obligation is fulfilled.

(2) Conciliation, mediation, or arbitration shall not affect any enforcement action by the secretary pursuant to this chapter. Regulations adopted by the secretary for the mandatory conciliation, mediation, or arbitration of disputes shall require that adequate notice be provided on the seed label notifying any buyer of the requirement to submit a dispute to mandatory conciliation, mediation, or arbitration as a prerequisite to other dispute resolution mechanisms, including litigation.

(g) Additional labeling requirements for coated, pelleted, encapsulated, mat, tape, or any other germination medium or device used on seed in order that the purchaser or consumer will be informed as to the actual amount of seed purchased.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 143. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.)