BILL ANALYSIS
SB 2
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Date of Hearing: June 17, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Cathleen Galgiani, Chair
SB 2 (Wiggins) - As Amended: May 20, 2009
SENATE VOTE : 36-0
SUBJECT : Pest Control: Pierce's Disease: Glassy-winged
sharpshooter.
SUMMARY : Extends the Pierce's Disease (PD) and Glassy-winged
Sharpshooter (GWSS) Board (board), upon a positive referendum
vote; expands the use of funds to other designated pests or
diseases, increases to 14% the amount of funds the California
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and board may use for
administrative costs; prohibits the use of General Funds (GF)
for new research or outreach related to new designated pests and
diseases; and, makes technical changes. Specifically, this
bill :
1)Changes the reference to the "Department of Food and
Agriculture to "department", and makes related conforming
changes.
2)Makes conforming language changes.
3)Extends the sunset dates of the board five years, from March
1, 2011 to March 1, 2016, and requires a favorable referendum
by the payers of the assessment, subsequent to the enactment
of the changes provided in this bill, in order to authorize
the use of the new authority.
4)Adds to the legislative findings that the state's agricultural
business economy could be damaged "if measures are not taken
to prevent or inhibit infestations by other designated pests
and diseases."
5)Adds to the definitions "Other pests and diseases" to mean
pests and diseases designated by the secretary (secretary) of
CDFA, according to number nine below.
6)Authorizes expenditures of funds for the "other designated
pests and diseases."
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7)Expands from 7% to 14% the amount CDFA and the board may spend
on administrative costs for the program.
8)Authorizes the board, in consultation with the advisory task
force and conforming to the requirements outlined below, to
recommend to the secretary that funds be used on research and
outreach for non-related PD pests and diseases. Prohibits the
expenditure of GF after March 1, 2011 on new research or
outreach programs relating to other designated grape pests and
diseases.
9)Requires that the board's finding supporting such a
recommendation to the secretary include all the following:
a) The pest or disease would adversely affect the health,
yield, or quality of grapes or grape vines, if the pest or
disease becomes established or expands in California.
b) The pest or disease would significantly harm
California's agricultural business if it becomes
established or expanded in the state.
c) Significant portions of the grape producing areas of the
state are now, or reasonably likely in the future, to be
affected by the spread of the pest or disease.
d) Expenditures approved by the secretary based on findings
and recommendations do not substantially diminish
expenditures on programs, work plans or research on PD and
GWSS.
e) Scientific experts have provided information and advice
supporting the above findings. The scientific information
and advice does not have to be unanimous.
EXISTING LAW created the Pierce's Disease Control Program
(program), within CDFA, in order to fight PD and its vectors,
primarily GWSS. (Food and Agriculture code section 6045-6047.)
The board was created to assess grape growers, and direct
expenditure to research and combat Pierce's Disease and its
vectors. CDFA and the board's administrative cost may not
exceed 7% of the program's funding. The program is funded from
GF, federal and industry funds, and grape grower's assessments.
It also required the secretary to conduct a referendum by March
1, 2006 to continue the board. The board's sunset date is March
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1, 2011. (Food and Agriculture code section 6047.1-6047.29.)
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, the program is funded by a combination of GF, special
funds (industry assessments) and federal funds. In fiscal year
2010-11, the program is estimated to receive $4.1 million from
GF and $2.4 million from special funds.
COMMENTS : In the late 1990s, PD threatened to cause damage to
grapes due to the arrival of GWSS. GWSS carries the bacterium
Xylella fastidiosa, which causes PD in grapes, almonds,
oleander, and citrus fruits. When a plant develops PD, its
ability to draw in moisture is hindered and the plant will
either die or become unproductive.
In response, the Legislature enacted a legislative package that
created the advisory task force on PD issue in 1999. In 2001,
the program was created by AB 1394 (Wiggins), Chapter 103,
Statutes of 2001, to fight the spread and find solutions for PD
and GWSS. SB 1650 (Chesbro), Chapter 485, Statutes of 2004,
made technical and substantive changes to the program; added a
referendum process for the continuance of the program and its
related assessments, to be approved by a majority of the
participants; and, extended the program's sunset to March 1,
2011.
According to the author's office, the program is a successful
effort to control the spread of PD and GWSS. While the program
is due to end operation in 2011, PD is still a threat. By
extending the operation date, the program can continue to fight
the spread of PD and GWSS.
Supporters state the intergovernmental and industry coordination
through this program has proven to be a good model for pest
control programs. By extending the research funding of the
program to include other significant pests and diseases
threatening California grape growers, California will be able to
fight other significant pests to California grapes.
The committee may wish to consider whether expanding the program
to cover other designated grape pests and diseases will
compliment or reduce the program's effectiveness in combating PD
and its vectors.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
SB 2
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Support
California Association of Winegrape Growers (sponsor)
Family Winemakers of California (sponsor)
Wine Institute (sponsor)
Allied Grape Growers
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Bella Vista Farming Company
California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association
Lodi District Grape Growers Association
Napa Valley Vintners
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Scheid Vineyards
Sonoma County Winegrape Commission
The Murphy Companies
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916)
319-2084