(a) The district may do all of the following:
(1) Sue and be sued in all actions and proceedings in all courts and tribunals of competent jurisdiction.
(2) Adopt a seal and alter it at pleasure.
(3) Accept contributions, and by grant, purchase, gift, devise, lease, or otherwise, and hold, use and enjoy, and lease, or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property of every kind and description within or without the district necessary to the full and convenient exercise of its powers.
(4) Recommend an assessment to the board of supervisors to be levied on the owners of acreage of table grapes being grown in the district to pay obligations of the district incurred to accomplish the purposes of the district as provided in this article, which may involve funding all or a portion of a Pierce’s disease or glassy-winged sharpshooter program, or program involving other designated pests and diseases.
(5) Make contracts, and employ, except as otherwise provided in this article, all persons, firms, and corporations necessary to carry out the purposes and the powers of the district, and at any salary, wage, or other compensation as the board of directors shall determine.
(6) Respond to the effects of, the spread of glassy-winged sharpshooter and Pierce’s disease, and other designated pests and diseases, and collect and disseminate to table grape growers and the owners of table grapes acreage in the district relevant information and scientific studies concerning these pests or diseases, as well as to chart and determine the extent and location of any infestations.
(7) Take all actions necessary to control, eradicate, remove, or prevent the spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter or Pierce’s disease, or other designated pests and diseases injurious to table grapes.
(8) With reasonable advance notice in writing to the landowner, as determined by the district, enter into or upon any land included within the boundaries of the district for the purpose of inspecting the grape plants and any other host plants and fruit growing on these lands.
(9) Eradicate, eliminate, remove, or destroy any table grape plants having evidence of Pierce’s disease or other designated pests and diseases.
(10) Coordinate with the county agricultural commissioner as to his or her taking appropriate actions to have any table grape plants growing within the district infested with Pierce’s disease or other designated pests and diseases adjudged a public nuisance, and decreed that the nuisance be abated.
(11) Coordinate district activities with other table grape pest and disease districts established pursuant to this article and Section 6047.3.
(12) Perform any and all acts, either within or outside the district, necessary or proper to fully and completely carry out the purposes for which the district is organized.
(b) The district’s administrative costs shall be limited to 5 percent of the annual assessment revenue.
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 400, Sec. 14. Effective September 9, 2004.)