BILL NUMBER: SCR 94	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 24, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Evans
   (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Chesbro)
   (Coauthors: Senators Cannella, Corbett, Padilla, and Wolk)
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Eggman, Williams, and
Yamada)

                        MARCH 6, 2014

   Relative to wineries.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 94, as amended, Evans. "California Wines: Down to Earth"
month.
   This measure would proclaim April 2014 as the "California Wines:
Down to Earth" month, to celebrate the sustainable leadership of
California wineries and winegrape growers.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Sustainability is a vital part of the long-term future of
California wine, which contributes an estimated $61.5 billion in
annual economic impact to California's economy; and
   WHEREAS, The Wine Institute and the California Association of
 Wine Grape   Winegrape  Growers created
the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing workbook more than a
decade ago, with the third edition released in January 2013, and it
has since been used by vineyards and wineries representing three
quarters of California's  wine grape   winegrape
 acreage and production to self-assess operations; and
   WHEREAS, The California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Program,
now managed by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, is
comprised of more than 200 best practices for vineyards and wineries
that benefit the environment, employees, neighbors, and high-quality
wine; and
   WHEREAS, Other state and regional sustainability programs, such as
Lodi Rules, Sustainability in Practice (SIP), Napa Green, Fish
Friendly Farming, the Green Business Program, and others, all play an
important role in the California wine communities' efforts to grow
grapes and produce wine in a manner that is environmentally sound,
economically feasible, and socially equitable; and
   WHEREAS, Growing participation in sustainable organic, and
biodynamic, certification programs further conveys California
vintners' and growers' adherence to high standards, desire for
transparency, and dedication to continuous improvement; and
   WHEREAS, California's wine community conserves water, energy, and
other natural resources, protects habitat, employee welfare, and air,
water, and soil quality, and promotes the use of natural pest
management and alternative energy and fuels; and
   WHEREAS, California's 3,800 wineries and 4,600  wine grape
  winegrape  growers are primarily family
businesses, with a long-term commitment to the health and vitality of
their communities, and to preserving the land for future
generations; and
   WHEREAS, California's  winegrape  growers and vintners
commitment to sustainability has been documented in a newly published
book, Down to Earth, A Seasonable Tour of Sustainable Winegrowing in
California; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims April 2014 as the
time to celebrate the sustainable leadership of California wineries
and winegrape growers with the theme, "California Wines: Down to
Earth" month, timed to Earth Day on April 22nd; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.