BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 724
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB
724 (Dodd)
As Amended April 20, 2015
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes |
|----------------+------+-----------------------+--------------------|
|Health |19-0 |Bonta, Maienschein, | |
| | |Bonilla, Burke, | |
| | |Chávez, Chiu, Gomez, | |
| | |Gonzalez, Roger | |
| | |Hernández, Lackey, | |
| | |Nazarian, Patterson, | |
| | |Ridley-Thomas, | |
| | |Rodriguez, Santiago, | |
| | |Steinorth, Thurmond, | |
| | |Waldron, Wood | |
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SUMMARY: Adds district fairs as a type of "community event" in
the California Retail Food Code (CRFC).
FISCAL EFFECT: None
COMMENTS: According to the author, this bill harmonizes the
definition of district fairs across the state and in doing so
provides for uniform and equitable enforcement of health code.
AB 724
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County environmental health divisions are given a large degree of
discretion in the CRFC to determine best practices at all
categories of food facilities. While this local discretion is
critical in ensuring food safety across different regions, it has
also resulted in uneven enforcement of regulations across the
state. The author states variability between counties has created
difficulty for events that operate in more than one county.
BACKGROUND. The CRFC is patterned after the federal Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) Food Code, which is a model for local, state,
and federal jurisdictions that are responsible for ensuring food
safety. According to the FDA, the Food Code represents the FDA's
best advice, updated every four years, for a uniform system of
provisions that address the safety and protection of food offered
at retail and in food service. Forty-eight states and territories
have adopted food codes patterned after the FDA Food Code,
representing over 80% of the United States population.
District Fairs. District fairs, also known as District
Agricultural Associations (DAAs) are within the network of
California fairs and expositions. DAAs are largely the same as
county fairs, although DAAs have more strict reporting
requirements to the California Department of Food and Agriculture
because they are a state entity, while county fairs are operated
through a contract with the County Board of Supervisors or other
local government. Among the 78 California fairs there are 52
DAAs, 23 county fairs, two Citrus Fruit Fairs, and the California
Exposition and State Fair.
Analysis Prepared by:
Dharia McGrew / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN:
0000222
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