The powers and duties of the commission board of directors include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Adopt and from time to time alter, rescind, modify, and amend bylaws, rules, and orders, and recommend regulations in accordance with Article 9 (commencing with Section 79901) for carrying out this chapter, including rules for appeals from any bylaw, rule, regulation, order, or recommended regulation. These actions are not subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(b) Administer and enforce this chapter and perform all acts and exercise all powers incidental to, or in connection with, or determined reasonably necessary for, proper or advisable effectuation of the purposes of this chapter.

(c) Appoint its own officers from the members of the commission board of directors, including a chairperson, one or more vice chairpersons, and any other officers as it determines necessary. The officers have the powers and duties delegated to them by the commission board of directors.

(d) Employ a person to serve at the pleasure of the commission as president and chief executive officer, and other personnel, including legal counsel, necessary to carry out this chapter. The commission may retain a management firm or staff from any board, commission, or committee of this state to perform the functions prescribed by this subdivision under control of the commission board of directors. If a person subject to this subdivision engages in conduct that the secretary determines to be in violation of this chapter, or is not in the public interest, the secretary shall notify the commission of the conduct and request that corrective, and if appropriate, disciplinary action, be taken by the commission board of directors. If the commission board of directors fails or refuses to correct the situation or to take disciplinary action satisfactory to the secretary, the secretary may suspend or discharge the person subject to this subdivision.

(e) Fix the compensation for all employees.

(f) Appoint committees composed of both members and nonmembers of the commission board of directors to advise in carrying out this chapter.

(g) Establish offices and incur expenses, invest funds, enter into contracts and agreements, and create liabilities and borrow funds in advance of receipt of assessments as determined necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and the performance of its duties.

(h) Keep accurate books, records, and accounts of all of its dealings, which is subject to an annual audit by an auditing firm selected by the commission board of directors with the concurrence of the secretary. The audit shall be made a part of an annual report to all producers of olives and handlers subject to this chapter, and, notwithstanding Sections 9795 and 10231.5 of the Government Code, copies of the audit shall be submitted to the Legislature and the department. In addition, the secretary may, as he or she determines necessary, conduct, or cause to be conducted, a fiscal and compliance audit of the commission.

(i) Present facts to, and negotiate with, state, federal, and foreign agencies on matters that affect the purposes of this chapter.

(j) Make, in the name of the commission, contracts to render service in formulating and conducting plans and programs, and any other contracts or agreements determined to be necessary for the purposes specified in this chapter.

(k) Conduct, and contract with others to conduct, research, including the study, analysis, dissemination, and accumulation of information obtained from research or elsewhere for purposes described in this chapter. In connection with the research, accept contributions of, or to match, private, state, or federal funds that may be available for these purposes, and to employ or make contributions of funds to other persons or state or federal agencies conducting the research.

(l) Collect information and publish and distribute to producers a bulletin or other communication for dissemination of information relating to this chapter.

(m) Establish an assessment rate to defray operating costs.

(n) Establish an annual budget according to accepted accounting practices. The budget shall be concurred in by the secretary before the disbursement of funds, except for disbursements made pursuant to subdivision (e).

(o) Submit to the secretary for his or her concurrence, an annual statement of contemplated activities authorized under this chapter.

(p) Investigate and prosecute civil violations of this chapter and file complaints with appropriate law enforcement agencies or officers for suspected criminal violations of this chapter.

(q) Engage in activities and administer any program authorized in Article 9 (commencing with Section 79901).

(r) Prescribe the form and manner by which proponents and opponents of the commission may contact producers so long as all expenses associated with the contacts are paid in advance.

(s) Engage in communications with the public regarding activities authorized in this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 92, Sec. 81. (SB 1289) Effective January 1, 2019.)