(a) Within 60 days of the effective date of this chapter, the secretary shall establish a list of divers and handlers eligible to vote on implementation of this chapter. In establishing the list, the secretary may require that divers and handlers submit the names and mailing addresses of all divers and handlers. The secretary also may request assistance of the Director of Fish and Game for the names of all licensed divers and handlers engaged in the sea urchin fishery during the previous season and the volume of landings of each diver. The request for information shall be in writing and the information provided shall be confidential and not made public. Notwithstanding Section 8022 or any other provision of law, the Director of Fish and Game shall comply with the request within 30 days of receipt.

(b) Any diver and handler whose name does not appear on the appropriate list may have his or her name placed on the list by filing with the secretary a signed statement, identifying himself or herself as a diver or handler, and submitting other supporting documentation. Failure to be on the list does not exempt the person from paying assessments, and does not invalidate any industry votes conducted pursuant to this article.

(c) Proponents and opponents of establishing the commission pursuant to this chapter may contact divers and handlers on the lists through the secretary, in a form and manner prescribed by the secretary, if all expenses associated with those contacts are paid in advance.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 973, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)