BILL NUMBER: AB 460	CHAPTERED  10/06/05

	CHAPTER  609
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 6, 2005
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 6, 2005
	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JUNE 1, 2005
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 7, 2005

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Parra

                        FEBRUARY 15, 2005

   An act to amend Section 481 of the Food and Agricultural Code,
relating to contagious diseases.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 460, Parra   Contagious diseases.
   Existing law authorizes the Department of Agriculture, with
approval of the Governor, to cooperate with the United States
Department of Agriculture in order to protect the agricultural
industry from pest or disease.
   This bill would authorize the department to enter into agreements
with the United States Department of Agriculture to carry out a
program of prevention and control of avian influenza, and to adopt
any regulations as necessary to implement the program.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares the following:
   (a) Outbreaks of highly contagious diseases can have a devastating
impact on California's poultry industry.
   (b) The 2002-2003 outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease in Southern
California cost over $160 million and caused a forced depopulation
of over 3 million birds.
   (c) Avian influenza represents a significant threat to California'
s poultry industry and public health. Avian Influenza, or "bird flu,"
is extremely contagious in birds and rapidly fatal, with mortality
rates approaching 100 percent.
   (d) Deadly strains of avian influenza can potentially also infect
humans and represents a significant public health threat.
   (e) In order to prevent the spread of avian influenza, it is vital
for California to take appropriate steps to reduce the chances of
outbreaks and minimize and protect the public health and the state's
commercial poultry industry.
  SEC. 2.  Section 481 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended
to read:
   481.  (a) The department may, with the approval of the Governor,
cooperate with officials of the United States Department of
Agriculture or with officials of other states in the conduct of pest
or disease investigations outside of this state in the interest of
the protection of the agricultural industry of this state from any
pest or disease which is not generally distributed in this state.
   (b) The department may enter into cooperative agreements with the
United States Department of Agriculture to carry out a program for
the prevention and control of avian influenza. The department shall,
in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, adopt any
regulations necessary to implement program requirements set out in
the agreement.