California Code, Food and Agricultural Code (Formerly Agricultural Code) - FAC § 68107

(a) Any assessment that is levied as provided for in this chapter is a personal debt of every producer so assessed.However, no producer shall be liable for assessments if the producer can prove, by evidence satisfactory to the commission, that (1) the assessments were deducted by the handler from amounts paid to the producer, or (2) that the handler failed to pay the producer for kiwifruit purchased from or marketed on behalf of the producer.

(b) Failure of a handler to collect assessments from amounts paid to the producer shall not relieve the producer of its obligation to pay the assessments.