Section 77601.

(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this chapter, the secretary shall establish a list of producers eligible to vote on the implementation of this chapter. In establishing the list, the secretary may require producers and others to submit the names and mailing addresses of all known producers. The secretary also may require that the information provided include the volume of timber sold or acquired in the preceding marketing year by persons subject to this chapter or, in the alternative, may establish procedures for receiving the information at the time of the referendum vote specified in Section 77602. The secretary may also request the assistance of the State Board of Equalization in gathering the information. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Board of Equalization shall provide the secretary the information that shall be used only for purposes specified in this chapter. The request for the information shall be in writing.

(b) Any producer whose name does not appear on the list may have his or her name placed on the list by filing with the secretary a signed statement identifying himself or herself as a producer. The absence of a producer's name from the list does not exempt the person from paying assessments and does not invalidate any votes conducted pursuant to this chapter.

(c) Proponents and opponents of the commission may contact producers on the lists in a form and manner prescribed by the secretary so long as all expenses associated with the contacts are paid in advance.

(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 727, Sec. 128. Effective January 1, 1996.)