BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                 AB 1437
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         ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
         AB 1437 (Huffman)
         As Introduced February 27, 2009
         Majority vote 

          AGRICULTURE         8-0         APPROPRIATIONS      10-3        
          
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         |Ayes:|Galgiani, Tom Berryhill,  |Ayes:|De Leon, Ammiano, Davis,  |
         |     |Conway, Fuller, Ma,       |     |Krekorian, Hall, John A.  |
         |     |Mendoza, Yamada, Bonnie   |     |Perez, Price, Skinner,    |
         |     |Lowenthal,                |     |Solorio, Torlakson        |
         |     |                          |     |                          |
         |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
         |     |                          |Nays:|Nielsen, Charles          |
         |     |                          |     |Calderon, Harkey          |
          ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
          
         SUMMARY  :  Prohibits selling shelled eggs for human consumption in  
         California produced by egg-laying hens on farms not in compliance  
         with animal care standards.  Specifically,  this bill  :  

         1)Prohibits shelled eggs from being sold for human consumption in  
           California if the farm or location for production is not in  
           compliance with California animal care standard beginning January  
           1, 2015.

         2)Allows for a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment in a county  
           jail not to exceed 180 days or by both the fine and imprisonment.

          EXISTING LAW  prevents any person from tethering or confining, for all  
         or a majority of any day, animals, specifically pigs during  
         pregnancy, calves raised for veal, or egg-laying hens, in such a way  
         that prevents the animal from lying and standing, fully extending  
         limbs, and turning around completely.  This begins on January 1,  
         2015.  (Health and Safety Code Section 25900 et seq.)

          FISCAL EFFECT  :  According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee,  
         negligible costs associated with this bill.  

          COMMENTS  :  In November 2008, voters passed Proposition 2, which  
         addressed confinement of farm animals.  The law requires that certain  
         farm animals, including egg-laying hens, have room to move freely.

         According to the author, requiring all eggs sold for human  







                                                                 AB 1437
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         consumption in California to conform to the animal care standards  
         will protect California's consumer's health and welfare.  Reports  
         cited by the author state that egg-laying hens subjected to stress  
         have a greater chance of carrying bacteria or viruses, thus having a  
         greater chance of exposing consumers to food borne bacteria and  
         viruses.  Some supporters stated this bill will level the playing  
         field for California egg producers to remain competitive with  
         out-of-state egg producers.

         California has a history of establishing animal welfare standards for  
         products consumed here.  The Legislature passed SB 1520 (Burton),  
         Chapter 904, Statutes of 2004, which banned the sale of foie gras by  
         prohibiting the sale in California of a product if it is the result  
         of force feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird's liver  
         beyond normal size.

         
         Analysis Prepared by  :    Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084 

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