BILL ANALYSIS Ó ACR 44 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 23, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES Richard Gordon, Chair ACR 44 (Dodd) - As Introduced March 10, 2015 SUBJECT: California Wines: Down to Earth Month. SUMMARY: Proclaims the month of April 2015 as California Wines: Down to Earth Month, to celebrate the sustainable leadership of California wineries and winegrape growers throughout April. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1)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. 2)The Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers created the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing over a decade ago and it has since been used by vineyards and wineries representing nearly three-quarters of California's winegrape acreage and production to self-assess operations. 3)California's 4,100 wineries and 5,900 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. ACR 44 Page 2 4)California's wine community conserves water, energy, and other natural resources; protects habitat, employee well-being, and air, water, and soil quality; and promotes the use of natural pest management and alternative energy and fuels. 5)California growers' and vintners' commitment to sustainability was recognized with a Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, for the third time, in 2015 and these wineries and regional associations will host Down to Earth and Earth Day activities such as eco-tours, winemaker dinners pairing sustainably produced wine and food, and other green activities during the month of April. FISCAL EFFECT: None REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support None on file Opposition None on file ACR 44 Page 3 Analysis Prepared by:Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800