A marketing order may contain provisions for determining the existence and extent of the surplus of any commodity, or of any grade, size, or quality of it, and providing for the control and disposition of such surplus, and for equalizing the burden of such surplus elimination or control among the producers, processors, distributors, or other handlers that are affected.

Notwithstanding any other appropriate means of equalizing the burden of surplus control and its elimination as provided in this chapter, provision may be made for the creation of a stabilization fund to be used for purchasing or otherwise acquiring any portion of the surplus of any commodity either in fresh or processed form, except when processed in hermetically sealed containers, and for the diversion of such surplus quantity of such commodity which is so acquired into noncompetitive or byproducts uses or for disposing of such surplus in noncommercial channels. Money for such stabilization fund shall be provided by means of the establishment of an assessment rate for such purpose levied upon producers or handlers, or upon both producers and handlers. Such assessment rate shall be based upon the units in which such commodity is handled or marketed or upon any other uniform basis which the director determines to be reasonable and equitable. For convenience of collection, the director may collect any producer assessments from handlers of such commodity. Handlers paying such assessments for, and on behalf of, any producers may deduct such producer assessments from any money which is owed by such handlers to such producers.

(Enacted by Stats. 1967, Ch. 15.)