Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this article govern the construction of this chapter.

“Books and records” means books, records, contracts, documents, memoranda, papers, correspondence, or other written data pertaining to matters relating to the activities subject to this chapter.

“Commission” means the California Rice Commission.

“Ex officio member” means a nonvoting member of the commission.

“Handle” means to engage in the business of being a handler. It does not include the drying of rice.

“Handler” means any person who is engaged in this state in the business of marketing rice who handles 100,000 hundredweight or more of rough or “paddy” rice, or the equivalent amount of milled rice during a marketing season. It is the Legislature’s intent that this provision be construed so that every person engaged in the handling of 100,000 hundredweight or more of rice produced in California is subject to assessment pursuant to this chapter.

“Hundredweight” or “Cwt.” are synonymous and mean 100 pounds avoirdupois, excluding tare.

“Market” or “marketing” means to sell rice to a person other than a handler.

“Marketing research” means any research relating to the sale of rice.

“Marketing season” or “fiscal year” are synonymous terms and mean the period beginning September 1 of any year and extending through the last day of August of the following year.

“Person” means any individual, partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, limited liability company, firm, company, or other entity doing business in California.

“Producer” means any person who produces, or causes to be produced, rice.

“Production research” means any research relating to the production, harvest, and postharvest handling of rice.

“Public member” means the person appointed by the commission pursuant to Section 71050. The public member and his or her alternate shall not have any financial interest in the production or handling of rice.

“Rice” means all rough or “paddy” rice or milled rice (Oryza sativa L.) from any source handled within the state of California, including mochi rice (sweet rice). It does not include rice produced for seed or wild rice (Zinzania aquatica; Zinzania palustris).

“Secretary” means the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

“Sell” means to transfer or cause the transfer of title to rice for valuable consideration.