BILL NUMBER: AB 2496	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérez

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2012

   An act to amend Section 5951 of the Food and Agricultural Code,
relating to Mexican fruit flies.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2496, as introduced, V. Manuel Pérez. Mexican fruit flies.
   Existing law sets forth legislative findings and declarations
stating, among other things, that the introduction of Mexican fruit
flies into California presents a serious threat to California's
economy. Existing law authorizes the Secretary of Food and
Agriculture to establish and operate a facility outside of the state
to produce sterile Mexican fruit flies or enter into an agreement
with any other public or private entity to jointly establish and
operate the facility.
   This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to those
findings and declarations.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 5951 of the Food and Agricultural Code is
amended to read:
   5951.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The introduction of Mexican fruit flies into California
presents a serious threat to  California's  
this state's  economy.
   (b) The use of alternative methods for pest control is generally
preferred to the aerial application of pesticides over urban areas.
   (c) The use of sterile flies has proven to be one of the most
effective nonchemical procedures in the successful control and
eradication of Mexican fruit flies.
   (d) California does not have a reliable source of sterile Mexican
fruit flies that may be used to control future infestations of this
pest.
   (e) The federal government, other states, the agricultural
industry, and the country of Mexico would all benefit from a reliable
source of sterile Mexican fruit flies.