Kiwifruit Grown in California; Order Amending Marketing Order No. 920

This rule amends Marketing Order No. 920 (order), which regulates the handling of kiwifruit grown in California. The amendments are based on proposals by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (committee), which is responsible for local administration of the order. The amendments will redefine the grower districts into which the production area is divided and reallocate committee membership among the districts, revise the deadline for committee nominations, and revise committee meeting and voting procedures. The amendments were approved by kiwifruit growers in a referendum conducted from March 12 through March 26, 2010. The amendments are intended to improve the operation and administration of the California kiwifruit marketing order program. Proposed amendments that failed in referendum and are not effectuated in this final order include revising committee member terms of office, authorizing the Secretary to fill committee vacancies based upon committee recommendations, authorizing research and promotion programs and accepting voluntary contributions for such programs, and allowing substitute alternates to represent absent members at committee meetings.