BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Senator Cathleen Galgiani, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 751 Hearing Date: 6/30/15
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|Author: |Cooper |
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|Version: |2/25/15 |
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|Urgency: |No | Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Anne Megaro |
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Subject: Vertebrate pest control research: repeal extension
SUMMARY :
This bill would extend the repeal date for provisions relating
to vertebrate pest control from January 1, 2016 to January 1,
2026.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING
LAW :
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is
required to establish a vertebrate pest control research program
to investigate effective and economical alternative methods for
the control of vertebrate pests. The program cooperates with
the United States Department of Agriculture to fund research
programs to maintain, develop, and register vertebrate pest
control products used in California. Vertebrate pest control
materials registered by CDFA may only be sold or distributed by
a county agricultural commissioner (Food and Agricultural Code §
6025 et seq.).
Rodents and other vertebrate pests cause millions of dollars of
damage to California agricultural crops every year, and these
pests are known to carry diseases that may be spread to
livestock, other animals, or humans. Pest control efforts help
to mitigate crop damage and the spread of diseases, and new
controls are continuously researched to find alternative methods
and materials that are humane, effective, and economical.
Existing law:
AB 751 (Cooper) Page 2 of ?
1) Requires CDFA to establish a research program on the
control of vertebrate pests that pose a significant threat
to the welfare of the state's agricultural economy,
infrastructure, and the public. (Food and Agricultural
Code §6025.5).
2) Requires the secretary to establish the Vertebrate Pest
Control Research Advisory Committee (VPCRAC) to annually
recommend priorities and costs for conducting various
vertebrate pest control research projects.
3) Requires county agricultural commissioners to pay to
CDFA a maximum assessment fee of $0.50 per pound of
vertebrate pest control material sold, distributed, or
applied by the county. The maximum may be increased to $1
after consultation with VPCRAC.
4) Limits expenditure of funds to reasonable administrative
and operational expenses, federal and state regulatory fees
for material registration, basic and applied research, and
educational outreach.
5) Repeals provisions relating to vertebrate pest control
on January 1, 2016.
6) Authorizes the use of carbon monoxide (CO) for the
control of burrowing rodent pests, provided that proper
warning labels are visible, permanently affixed, and
compliant with existing laws and regulations. This code
section has a sunset date of January 1, 2018, which is
different than the sunset date for the remaining provisions
in this article (Food and Agricultural Code §6025.4).
PROPOSED
LAW :
This bill:
1) Extends the repeal date for provisions relating to
vertebrate pest control from January 1, 2016 to January 1,
2026.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
According to the author, "Each year rodents such as ground
squirrels, pocket gophers, and rats along with coyotes, birds
AB 751 (Cooper) Page 3 of ?
and other animals cause millions of dollars of damage to
California's agriculture, infrastructure, and public health.
Farmers, park managers, foresters, and others, including
homeowners, use an integrated approach to deal with these
important and frequently devastating pest problems. To address
serious vertebrate pest problems in the State, rodenticide baits
are sold by county agricultural commissioner's offices. These
materials are essential for farmers, resource managers, public
health agents and others to deal with the many vertebrate pest
problems throughout the state."
COMMENTS :
Sunset Date. The sunset dates for these provisions have been
extended several times since their enactment in 1990, and this
bill marks the third extension within 15 years. Given that
these provisions fund research projects, the committee may wish
to consider if the sunset date should be repealed and provisions
made permanent, thus providing stability to multi-year research
projects.
RELATED
LEGISLATION :
SB 1332 (Wolk), Chapter 257, Statutes of 2014. Authorizes the
director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to
adopt and enforce regulations that provide for the proper, safe,
and efficient use of carbon monoxide pest control devices.
AB 634 (Huber), Chapter 407, Statutes of 2011. Allows the use
of carbon monoxide to control burrowing vertebrate pests.
SB 872 (Denham/Florez), Chapter 176, Statutes of 2005. Extends
the repeal date for provisions relating to vertebrate pest
control from January 1, 2006 to January 1, 2016. This bill also
defines "research," limits fund expenditures as specified, and
makes other technical changes.
AB 2071 (Briggs), Chapter 338, Statutes of 2000. Among other
provisions, extends the repeal date for provisions relating to
vertebrate pest control from January 1, 2001 to January 1, 2006.
PRIOR
ACTIONS :
AB 751 (Cooper) Page 4 of ?
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|Assembly Floor: |80 - 0 |
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|Assembly Appropriations Committee: |17 - 0 |
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|Assembly Agriculture Committee: |10 - 0 |
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SUPPORT :
California Alfalfa & Forage Association
California Citrus Mutual
California Farm Bureau Federation
California Fresh Fruit Association
OPPOSITION :
None received
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