BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 224
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 224 (Gordon)
As Amended September 3, 2013
Majority vote
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(May 29, 2013) |SENATE: |36-0 |(September 9, |
| | | | | |2013) |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Original Committee Reference: AGRI .
SUMMARY : Creates definitions dealing with requirements for
Consumer Supported Agriculture (CSA); and, authorizes the
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to
establish fees, not to exceed $100, to administer this new
program as specified.
The Senate amendments :
1)Propose that CDFA assist producers in organizing CSAs by
providing technical advice on marketing and compliance with
regulations.
2)Change the definition of "single farm CSA program" to permit
not more than a de minimis amount of delivered farm products
originating from farms of other registered California direct
marketing producers.
3)Permit amending "Multi-farm CSA programs" annual certification
during the year.
4)Delete the option for CSAs to register with a county
agricultural commissioner.
5)Prohibit the inclusion of defined potentially hazardous food
in CSA's boxes unless that food has been produced, processed,
and handled in accordance with federal, state, and local food
safety requirements.
6)Require poultry and rabbit meat produced in accordance with
state statutes, that are marketed under the CSA program, shall
also comply with small farm food safety guidelines.
7)Permit a public health enforcement officer to enter and
AB 224
Page 2
inspect a CSA program in response to a public food complaint.
Permit recovery of reasonable costs associated with inspection
from the registered direct marketing producer operating the
CSA program.
8)Permit a fee for an amendment to a registration that is
reflective of the actual cost of processing an amendment, but
not to exceed $100 annually.
9)Require CDFA, in administering the CSA program, to consultant
with the State Department of Public Health and local health
officers, to publish and periodically update, and post on its
Web site, small farm food safety guidelines on, but not
limited to, safe production, processing, and handling of both
non-potentially hazardous and potentially hazardous foods.
10)Clarify that fees are waived only if a direct market producer
pays other fees to CDFA, under this chapter.
11)Establish as an approved source of food, any whole uncut
fruit or vegetable, or unrefrigerated shell egg grown or
produced in compliance with all federal, state or local laws,
regulations and food safety guidelines issued by a regulatory
agency.
12)Provide an exemption from administrative regulations and
rulemaking requirements for regulations dealing with the
adoption, amendment, or repeal of any assessment or fee, and
specifies how they are handled.
13)Make various technical and conforming changes.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, CDFA indicates that it would need 0.5 positions and
$25,000 (special funds) to implement the provisions of this
bill. CDFA identifies about 350 CSAs in the state. The $100 fee
would generate $35,000 in annual revenue. Thus, revenues
generated by the bill would be sufficient to fund the additional
costs identified above.
COMMENTS : Currently there is no oversight for CSAs, and public
health offices have a fuzzy jurisdictional authority for
inspections and enforcement. This bill establishes a program
and fees to provide oversight and clarifies inspection and
enforcement authorities.
AB 224
Page 3
The Senate amendments further the intent of the bill as passed
by the Assembly.
Analysis Prepared by : Jim Collin / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
FN:
0002280