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

(a) Adopt and, from time to time, alter, rescind, modify, and amend all proper and necessary rules, procedures, and orders to carry out this chapter and in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties, including the adoption of rules to regulate appeals from any rule, procedure, or order of the commission.

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

(c) Employ a person, to serve, at the pleasure of the commission, as president and chief executive officer of the commission and other personnel, including legal counsel.

(d) Establish offices, incur expenses, enter into any and all contracts and agreements, and create liabilities and borrow funds in advance of receipt of assessments that may be necessary, at the discretion of the commission, for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and the performance of its duties.

(e) Keep accurate books, records, and accounts of all of its dealings, which books, records, and accounts are subject to an annual independent audit by an auditing firm approved by the secretary. The independent audit shall be made a part of an annual report to all producers and handlers of avocados, copies of which shall also be submitted to the Legislature. 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.

(f) Promote the sale of avocados by advertising and other promotional means for the purpose of maintaining and expanding present markets and creating new and larger intrastate, interstate, and foreign markets for avocados and to educate and instruct the public with respect to avocados and the uses of the several varieties and the healthful properties and nutritional value of avocados.

(g) Enter into cost-sharing advertising with other products considered, by the commission, to be fair and equitable to both parties.

(h) Educate and instruct the wholesale and retail trade with respect to proper methods of handling and selling avocados; arrange for the performance of dealer service work providing display and other promotional materials; make market and inventory surveys and analyses; present facts to and negotiate with state, federal, and foreign agencies on matters which affect the avocado industry; and undertake any other activities which the commission may determine appropriate for the maintenance and expansion of present markets and the creation of new markets for avocados.

(i) Make, in the name of the commission, contracts to render service in formulating and conducting plans and programs, and any other contracts or agreements that the commission may deem necessary for the promotion of the sale of avocados.

(j) Conduct and contract with others to conduct scientific research, including the study, analysis, dissemination, and accumulation of information obtained from the research or elsewhere respecting the inventory, marketing, and distribution of avocados. The results of any research conducted by or on behalf of the commission may be used by the commission in any way it deems appropriate, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, may be maintained in confidence by the commission and not disseminated to any person not subject to this chapter.

(k) Accept and match contributions of private, local, state, or federal funds and make contributions of commission funds to other persons or to local, state, or federal agencies for purposes of promoting, enhancing, and maintaining the California avocado industry.

(l) Publish and distribute without charge, a bulletin or other communication for dissemination of information relating to inventory, marketing, and other information of value to the commission and the avocado industry to producers, handlers, and the public.

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

(n) Establish an annual budget.

(o) 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.

(p) Carry out the requirements prescribed in Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 44971) of Division 17.

(q) To provide to the secretary, on a quarterly basis, a summary of the programs, activities, and costs under review for the next marketing season.

(r) Require producers to provide information as determined by the commission pertaining to the locations at which avocados are produced and the annual volume of avocados produced at each location. The information shall be provided in a time and manner prescribed by the commission and shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 67104.

(s) Utilize information provided to the commission for the purposes of food safety, communications, reapportionment of districts, and the conduct of elections and referenda.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 322, Sec. 2. (AB 914) Effective January 1, 2012.)