BILL ANALYSIS
SB 2
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 2 (Wiggins)
As Amended May 20, 2009
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :36-0
AGRICULTURE 7-0 APPROPRIATIONS 16-0
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|Ayes:|Galgiani, Tom Berryhill, |Ayes:|De Leon, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Conway, | | |
| |Fuller, Ma , Mendoza, | |Charles Calderon, Coto, |
| |Yamada | |Davis, Fuentes, Hall, |
| | | |Harkey, Nielsen, |
| | | |John A. Perez, Skinner, |
| | | |Solorio, |
| | | |Audra Strickland, |
| | | |Torlakson, Hill |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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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)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.
2)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."
3)Adds to the definitions "other pests and diseases" to mean
SB 2
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pests and diseases designated by the Secretary (Secretary) of
CDFA, according to specific criteria.
4)Authorizes expenditures of funds for the "other designated
pests and diseases."
5)Expands from 7% to 14% the amount CDFA and the board may spend
on administrative costs for the program.
6)Authorizes the board, in consultation with the advisory task
force and conforming to specific requirements, to recommend to
the Secretary, that funds be used on research and outreach for
non-related PD pests and diseases. Prohibits the expenditure
of GFs after March 1, 2011, on new research or outreach
programs relating to other designated grape pests and
diseases.
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 (FAC)
6045-6047.) The board was created to assess grape growers, and
direct expenditures to research and combat Pierce's Disease and
its vectors. CDFA and the board's administrative costs may not
exceed 7% of the program's funding. The program is funded from
GF, federal and industry funds, and an industry assessment. It
also required the Secretary to conduct a referendum by March 1,
2006 to continue the board. The board's sunset date is March 1,
2011. (FAC 6047.1-6047.29.)
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Committee on
Appropriations, this program will cost $4.1 million annually
from the GF. This bill may cost $250,000 annually to support
the board's activities from a grape grower's assessment fund.
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. The program was created in 2001 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
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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. Extending the research funding of
the program to include other significant pests and diseases
threatening California grape growers, allows California to fight
other significant pests to California grapes.
Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916)
319-2084
FN: 0002668