Current law authorizes the creation of marketing orders for agricultural
commodities, such as fruit, grain, and milk. A marketing order is issued by the
secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and takes effect upon the
approval of producers of the agricultural commodity through a referendum. A
marketing order may provide for market research and development, for research to
improve production, and for programs to educate producers of the agricultural
commodity or the public. Every marketing order must establish a marketing board,
which carries out the activities under the marketing order. The activities of a
marketing board are financed with assessments paid by producers. Under current
law, a marketing order may allow a producer that does not favor the activities under
the marketing order to obtain a rebate of the assessments paid by the producer.
There is currently a marketing order for corn (other than sweet corn). The current
marketing order for corn provides for an assessment of 0.1 cent per bushel and allows
growers to obtain rebates.

This bill establishes an additional assessment of 0.4 cents per bushel that must
be paid by corn growers who are required to pay the assessment under the marketing
order for corn. The bill requires the marketing board for corn, known as the Corn
Promotion Board, to use the proceeds of this assessment for the purposes of the
marketing order. The bill allows a producer to obtain a rebate of the assessment
imposed under the bill. The bill specifies that the 0.4 cent per bushel assessment

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ends on June 30, 2012, if corn producers approve a referendum to end the
assessment.