In the matter of the public hearing regarding the petition to suspend Chapter 3.5 of the Food and Ag code, the administrative law judge issued a recommendation today. After a review of testimony and evidence presented, he concluded that the Secretary is not required to hold a
referendum on the petition and should not do so. Statutory requirements for a referendum were the primary basis for this conclusion. The evidence presented by interested parties regarding the costs and benefits of quota were not considered in the decision. The full recommendation can be found here. https://files.constantcontact.com/7233ce19301/48102969-b542-492c-b8f8-ff88a1d06c37.pdf
The hearing was held June 9 and 10, 2020. Stop QIP, Save QIP and United Dairy Families of California all presented legal evidence as to why Chapter 3.5 was the proper chapter to consider holding a referendum on a QIP elimination. Many dairy families also contributed testimony during the virtual two-day event.