[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 8]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR979.35]

[Page 495-496]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER IX--AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and 
      Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 979_MELONS GROWN IN SOUTH TEXAS--Table of Contents
 
                    Subpart_Order Regulating Handling
 
Sec. 979.35  Duties.

    The committee shall have, among others, the following duties:
    (a) As soon as practicable after the beginning of each term of 
office, to meet and organize, to select a chairman and such other 
officers as may be necessary, to select subcommittees, and to adopt such 
rules, regulations, and bylaws for the conduct of its business as it 
deems necessary, and to recommend nominees for the public member and 
alternate;
    (b) To act as intermediary between the Secretary and any grower or 
handler;
    (c) To furnish to the Secretary such available information as he may 
request;
    (d) To appoint such employees, agents, and representatives as it may 
deem necessary, to determine the compensation and define the duties of 
each such person, and to protect the handling of committee funds through 
fidelity bonds;
    (e) To investigate from time to time and to assemble data on the 
growing, harvesting, shipping, and marketing conditions with respect to 
melons;
    (f) To recommend research projects to the Secretary in accordance 
with this part;
    (g) To notify handlers of each meeting of the committee to consider 
recommendations for regulations and of all regulatory actions taken 
which might affect growers or handlers and to provide such notification 
to producers through appropriate news releases or such other means as 
may be available to the committee;
    (h) To give the Secretary the same notice of meetings of the 
committee and its subcommittee as is given to its members;
    (i) To prepare a marketing policy;
    (j) To recommend marketing regulations to the Secretary;
    (k) To recommend rules and procedures for, and to make determination 
in connection with appropriate safeguards;
    (l) To keep minutes, books, and records which clearly reflect all of 
the acts and transactions of the committee and such minutes, books, and 
records shall be subject to examination at any time by the Secretary or 
his authorized agent or representative. Minutes of each committee 
meeting shall be reported promptly to the Secretary;
    (m) Prior to or at the beginning of each fiscal period, to prepare a 
budget of anticipated expenses for such fiscal period, together with a 
report thereon;
    (n) To prepare periodic statements of the financial operations of 
the committee and to make copies of each such statement available to 
producers and handlers for examination at the office of the committee;
    (o) To prepare and forward to the Secretary, prior to the last day 
of each fiscal period, an annual report, and make a copy available to 
each handler and grower who requests it. This annual report shall 
contain at least:
    (1) A complete review of the regulatory operations during the fiscal 
period;
    (2) An appraisal of the effect of such regulatory operations upon 
the melon industry; and
    (3) Any recommendations for changes in the program.
    (p) To cause the books of the committee to be audited by a competent

[[Page 496]]

accountant at least once each fiscal period and at such other times as 
the committee may deem necessary or as the Secretary may request. The 
report of such audit shall show the receipt and expenditure of funds 
collected pursuant to this part. Two copies of such report shall be 
furnished to the Secretary and a copy of each such report shall be made 
available at the principal office of the committee for inspection by 
growers and handlers; and
    (q) To consult, cooperate, and exchange information with other 
marketing order committees and other individuals or agencies in 
connection with all proper activities and objectives under this part.

                        Expenses and Assessments