BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2574
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Date of Hearing: April 6, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
Roger Hernández, Chair
AB 2574
(Chávez) - As Amended March 28, 2016
SUBJECT: Veteran farmers and ranchers
SUMMARY: Requires the Labor and Workforce Development Agency
(Agency), with others, to develop a New Veteran Farmer and
Rancher Outreach and Assistance Plan (plan) to disseminate
information electronically through America's Job Centers of
California (AJCC's), as specified. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires, by July 1, 2017, the Agency in consultation with the
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the State Board of
Food and Agriculture (Board) to develop a plan to disseminate
information electronically through AJCC's and through any
other already available means, to veterans in California about
state and federal veteran and agricultural education,
training, other assistance programs and resources offered
through the federal Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act) and any
other subsequent federal acts related to agriculture.
2)Specifies that other public or private sector resources may
also be included in the dissemination of the specified
information if these resources a) offer a guaranteed loans or
other support to new veteran farmers or ranchers to assist in
meeting their needs, including but not limited to, loans for
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farm ownership through the Veterans' Farm and Home Purchase
Act of 1974, also known as the Cal-Vet loan program, as well
as operating loans, loans for land acquisition and
improvement, other needs as appropriate, or b) support
eligible traditional and nontraditional organizations serving
veterans, or veteran applicants applying and qualifying for
federal funding authorized by the federal Act and any other
subsequent federal agricultural acts.
3)Makes related findings and declarations.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Establishes the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency
(Agency) and the state Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA),
the State Board of Food and Agriculture (Board).
2)Provides for a variety of state and federal benefits to
veterans including those related to educational assistance and
farm and home purchases, as specified.
3)Establishes the federal Agricultural Act of 2014 which, among
other things, provides and prioritizes federal funding and
technical assistance to veteran farmers and ranchers.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: According to the author, the lack of knowledge about
federal funding and assistance in the Act available to help
veterans become farmers and ranchers in our state has led to the
federal moneys from the Act to be under-utilized or drawn upon
to assist California veterans and our state as a whole. The
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author states, nationwide there are a large percentage of
farmers and ranchers reaching the age of 65, and with this bill
seeks to encourage and support a new generation of veteran
farmers and ranchers to utilize the federal Act through outreach
and assistance.
The sponsor of this bill, the California State Guild writes in
support stating that California is an agricultural leader in the
United States and wants our state to thrive and maintain
agricultural production and innovation. They point out this
bill offers our state the opportunity to strengthen our
agricultural industry while helping to ensure that California
veterans receive information to obtain skills and assistance to
successfully enter farming and ranching careers thereby also
securing our food needs in the 21st century.
There is no known opposition on file.
This bill is double referred to the Veterans Affairs Committee
upon passage out of this Committee.
The Federal Agricultural Act of 2014
The Act, among many other things, invests in programs and
services that help existing farmers stay prosperous and stay on
their land. The Act also authorizes the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to offer priority preference to
veterans seeking assistance under existing programs, including
the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
Additionally, the Act creates the USDA Military Veteran Liaison
(MVA Liaison), who will coordinate USDA leadership in the
Department to provide information, resources and support for
active duty military and veterans interested in agriculture.
The MVA Liaison will have the authority to facilitate formal
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relationships between USDA and other government agencies and
non-profit organizations to strengthen USDA support for
veterans.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California State Guild (sponsor)
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by:Lorie Alvarez / L. & E. / (916) 319-2091
AB 2574
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