BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1642
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Date of Hearing: March 26, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Susan Talamantes Eggman, Chair
AB 1642 (Chesbro) - As Amended: February 11, 2014
SUBJECT : Pest control: Pierce's disease.
SUMMARY : Extends the Pierce's Disease (PD) and Glassy-winged
Sharpshooter (GWSS) Board (board) from 2016 to 2021, upon a
positive referendum vote; requires the Secretary (Secretary) of
the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to
establish a referendum by April 15, 2015; and, makes conforming
and technical changes.
EXISTING LAW created the Pierce's Disease Control Program
(program), within CDFA, in order to fight PD and its vectors,
primarily GWSS. The board was created to assess grape growers,
and direct expenditure to research and combat Pierce's Disease
and its vectors. It also required the secretary to conduct a
referendum by March 1, 2011 to continue the board. The board's
sunset date is March 1, 2016.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill has been keyed fiscal by
Legislative Council.
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 issues 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, and added
a referendum process for the continuance of the program and its
related assessments, to be approved by a majority of the
participants. The program is funded from federal and industry
funds, and grape grower's assessments.
According to the author's office, the program is a successful
AB 1642
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effort to control the spread of PD and GWSS. While the program
is due to end operation in 2016, PD is still a threat. By
extending the operation date, the program can continue to fight
the spread of PD and GWSS, with a positive referendum vote by
wine grape growers.
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.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Association of Wine Grape Growers (Sponsor)
Family Winemakers of California (Sponsor)
County of Santa Clara
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916)
319-2084