(a) There is within the Department of Food and Agriculture a public and private collaboration known as the “Buy California Program.” The purposes of the program are to encourage consumer nutritional and food awareness and to foster purchases of high-quality California agricultural products.
(b) Pursuant to Section 58749, and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the secretary may issue and make effective a marketing agreement and be advised by those elements of the production agriculture and food processing industry willing to participate in the program via co-funding or in-kind contributions in a manner defined under the agreement.
(c) The department shall report to the Legislature on January 1, 2002, and each successive January 1 while this section is operative, regarding its expenditures, progress, and ongoing priorities with this program.
(d) The Buy California Account is created in the Food and Agriculture Fund and, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, is continuously appropriated for purposes of this section.
(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 118, Sec. 3.5. Effective July 30, 2001.)