BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  AB 1642
                                                                  Page  1


          ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
          AB 1642 (Chesbro)
          As Introduced  February 11, 2014
          Majority vote

           AGRICULTURE         6-0         APPROPRIATIONS      16-0        
           
           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
          |Ayes:|Eggman, Olsen, Dahle,     |Ayes:|Gatto, Bigelow,           |
          |     |Pan,                      |     |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian  |
          |     |Quirk, Yamada             |     |Calderon, Campos, Eggman, |
          |     |                          |     |Gomez, Holden, Jones,     |
          |     |                          |     |Linder, Pan, Quirk,       |
          |     |                          |     |Ridley-Thomas, Wagner,    |
          |     |                          |     |Weber                     |
          |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
          |     |                          |     |                          |
           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
           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 of the  
          California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to  
          establish a referendum by April 15, 2015; and, makes conforming  
          and technical changes.   

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  According to the Assembly Appropriations  
          Committee, this is a one-time cost to CDFA of approximately  
          $50,000 to conduct the referendum, paid for by industry, and an  
          annual cost of $21 million for the program and Board activities,  
          paid for by industry and federal 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 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.  The program is funded from federal and industry  
          funds, and grape grower's assessments.








                                                                  AB 1642
                                                                  Page  2



          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 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 that 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.

          There is no opposition on file.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916)  
          319-2084


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