Requires abatement penalties to be deposited in this fund and allows the Council to deposit apple fees in the fund. Interest earned on the fund stays in the fund. Allows the Council to refund fees to producers who abate their orchards in accordance with abatement rules established by the Department. Allows the Council to withhold a refund as a penalty for failure to comply with abatement rules. The Council is to work with the Department to annually agree on the criteria for determining the amount of the penalty.
Withheld refunds are an appealable penalty.
Establishes a ten percent penalty for failure to pay the apple fee and provides that a producer who knowingly fails to pay any required monies due to the Council is subject to a class 2 misdemeanor. Requires the Council to hold a hearing on any disputed fees. Referendum to Apple Producers 11. Requires the Department of Agriculture to develop a list of apple producers and submit to the producers a ballot on this issue. A majority vote of the producers to terminate the Council requires the Council to recommend termination to the Legislature.