CA AB402

Establishes the Broomrape Board within the Department of Food and Agriculture to advise the Secretary on broomrape control, with at least 12 members including at least 3 representatives from each of four geographical districts recommended by the tomato industry.

Authorizes the board to recommend actions including research, surveying and treating broomrape, establishing annual assessment rates paid equally by tomato producers and handlers, and adopting related regulations.

Creates the Broomrape Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, continuously appropriated to reimburse the Secretary for program costs, with all department expenses to be solely reimbursed by assessments collected from producers and handlers.

Establishes assessment payments as personal debts with a 10 percent penalty plus 1.5 percent monthly interest for non-payment or non-compliance, with handlers collecting and remitting assessments from producers to the Secretary.

Makes the program inoperative on July 1, 2028, and repeals it on January 1, 2029, requiring pro rata refunds of remaining funds to assessed persons unless amounts are minimal or the person cannot be located.