74701-74707

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE
SECTION 74701-74707




74701.  The production of grape rootstock constitutes an important
industry of this state that not only provides substantial and
necessary revenues for the state and employment for its citizens, but
also furnishes essential food vital to the public health and
welfare.



74702.  The maintenance of the grape rootstock industry of
California is necessary to assure the consuming public of a
continuous supply of good fruit for the table, raisins, and wine
grapes, and establishes consistent and needed levels of income for
those engaged in the industry.



74702.5.  The successes that the grape rootstock industry has
enjoyed have come in part through a commitment to industry funded
research, which has led to significant improvements in the quality
and variety of the grapes and grape products available to consumers.
The establishment of the commission is intended to enhance this
research effort and move the grape rootstock industry toward its
potential, resulting in increased consumer value and enhanced grower
returns.


74703.  The production and marketing of grape rootstock produced in
this state is hereby declared to be affected with a public interest.
This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of this
state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and
general welfare of the people of this state.


74704.  No action taken by the commission, or by any individual
commission board member in accordance with this chapter or with
regulations adopted under this chapter, is a violation of the
so-called Cartwright Act (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 16700)
of Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code), the
Unfair Practices Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 17000) of
that Part 2), or any statutory or common law against monopolies or
combinations in restraint of trade.



74705.  This chapter shall be liberally construed. If any provision
of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or
circumstances is held to be invalid, the invalidity shall not affect
other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given
effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end
the provisions of this chapter are severable.



74706.  It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative
determination that members of the commission are intended to
represent and further the interest of the particular agricultural
industry concerned and that this representation and furtherance is
intended to serve the public interest. Accordingly, the Legislature
finds that, with respect to persons who are elected or appointed to
the commission, the particular agricultural industry concerned is
tantamount to, and constitutes, the public generally within the
meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.




74707.  A commission form of administration created by this chapter
is designed to provide those engaged in the production and marketing
of grape rootstock the opportunity to avail themselves of the
benefits of collective action in the broad field of grape rootstock
research necessary to achieve the purposes stated herein.