BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Senator Jim Nielsen, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 2574 Hearing Date: 6/14/16
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|Author: |Chávez |
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|Version: |4/11/16 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Wade Teasdale |
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Subject: Veteran farmers and ranchers
DESCRIPTION
Summary:
Requires - by July 1, 2017 - a collaboration of state
departments to develop a New Veteran Farmer and Rancher Outreach
and Assistance Plan to disseminate information to veterans in
California about, among other things, federal and state veteran
agricultural education, training, and other assistance programs,
Existing law:
1)Provides for a variety of state and federal benefits to
veterans including those related to educational assistance and
farm and home purchases, as specified.
2)Establishes the Federal Agricultural Act of 2014 (the Act),
which, among other things, provides and prioritizes federal
funding and technical assistance to veteran farmers and
ranchers.
This bill:
1)Requires - by July 1, 2017 - a collaboration of state
departments to develop a New Veteran Farmer and Rancher
Outreach and Assistance Plan to disseminate information to
veterans in California about, among other things, federal and
state veteran agricultural education, training, and other
assistance programs, as provided.
AB 2574 (Chávez) Page 2
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2)Requires the "collaboration of state departments" to include,
but not be limited to:
a) Department of Food and Agriculture.
b) Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
c) Department of Veterans Affairs.
3)Authorizes other public or private sector resources to be
included in that dissemination if the resources meet certain
requirements.
4)Makes findings and declarations regarding
a) The importance of the agricultural industry.
b) Challenges facing the industry, including the aging of a
large portion of principal farm operators.
c) The Act, which contained various incentives to assist
America's veterans returning from military service to
acquire skills needed to start and manage a farm and
successfully enter the business of farming and ranching.
BACKGROUND
The Federal Agricultural Act of 2014
The Act is codified in Public Law 113-79. Among many other
things, the Act 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.
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 relationships between USDA
and other government agencies and non-profit organizations to
strengthen USDA support for veterans.
COMMENT
Author's Comments :
AB 2574 (Chávez) Page 3
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Lack of knowledge about federal funding and assistance in the
Act available to help veterans become farmers and ranchers has
led to the federal funds being underutilized or drawn upon to
assist California veterans and our state as a whole. The 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.
Sponsor's Comments :
California is an agricultural leader in the United States and
wants our state to thrive and maintain agricultural production
and innovation. 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.
POSITIONS
Sponsor: California State Guild.
Support: California Workforce Association; Center for
Land-Based Learning/California Farm Academy; Organic
Sacramento, Rudolf Steiner College, Rural County
Representatives of California (RCRC)
Oppose: None on file.
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