BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2483 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 27, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair AB 2483 (Committee on Agriculture) - As Introduced February 19, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Agriculture |Vote:|10 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill changes the number of meetings required for the Livestock Identification Advisory Board (LIAB) from at least once every three months to at least twice in every calendar year. FISCAL EFFECT: AB 2483 Page 2 Possible minor cost savings to the Bureau of Livestock Identification (BLI) due to reduced reimbursable travel expenses for board members (Department of Food and Agriculture Fund). COMMENTS: 1)Purpose and background. BLI is a division within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) that is responsible for the state's brand registration and inspection program. This program aims to protect cattle owners in California against the loss of animals by theft, straying, or misappropriation. The program is financed through brand registration and inspection fees paid by the cattle owners. The LIAB makes recommendation to the Secretary of CDFA and to the Chief of BLI on a number of matters, including: a) Ways to improve and change the administration and enforcement of hide and brand laws and regulations; b) BLI procedures; c) Curbing livestock thefts; d) The annual BLI budget; e) Legislation that affects BLI. LIAB members adopted a resolution at their January 7, 2016 meeting requesting a change be made to the frequency of AB 2483 Page 3 meetings. Members believe two meetings each calendar year are sufficient to address LIAB business. Analysis Prepared by:Luke Reidenbach / APPR. / (916) 319-2081