Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this article govern the construction of this chapter.

“Books and records” means books, records, contracts, documents, memoranda, papers, correspondence, or other written data pertaining to matters relating to the activities subject to this chapter.

“Commission” means the California Date Commission.

“Commissioner” means any member of the commission.

“Date” means any variety of date produced in California, whether handled in whole or processed form.

“Department” means the Department of Food and Agriculture.

“Ex officio member” means a nonvoting member of the commission.

“Handle” means to engage in the business of a handler.

“Handler” means any person engaged in processing and marketing dates that the person has produced, purchased, or acquired from a producer, or is marketing on behalf of a producer, whether as owner, agent, employee, broker, processor, or otherwise. “Handler” also includes a producer who sells, consigns, or otherwise transfers dates to a handler who is not subject to this chapter.

“Market” or “marketing” means to sell, consign, or otherwise distribute dates into commercial channels of trade resulting in the sale of dates. Dates shall also be considered “marketed” when inspected and certified by any third party.

“Marketing research” means any research relating to the sale of dates.

“Marketing year” or “marketing season” means the period from October 1 of any year to September 30, inclusive, of the following year. The marketing year may be changed by a vote of2/3of the membership of the commission.

“Process” and “processing” are synonymous and mean the operations of receiving, cleaning, grading, freezing, drying, preserving, chopping, mashing, pitting, slicing, concentrating, macerating, extruding, or otherwise preparing dates for market in any form.

“Producer” means any person in this state who grows dates of any variety, and who, upon request, provides proof of commodity sale.

“Product research” means any research related to the development of new uses for dates.

“Production research” means any research related to the production, harvest, or post-harvest handling of dates.

“Secretary” means the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.