BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2888
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Date of Hearing: April 13, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Bill Dodd, Chair
AB 2888
(Committee on Agriculture) - As Introduced February 29, 2016
SUBJECT: State-supported fairs: food and fiber exhibits.
SUMMARY: This bill will make permissive requirements that the
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) expend up
to $100,000 in any fiscal year for exhibits at a state-supported
fair that shows the process of production and use of
agricultural products in the state and annually arrange for a
conference of fair judges to help CDFA make regulations for the
judging of exhibits.
EXISTING LAW:
1) Requires CDFA to expend up to $100,000 in any fiscal
year for exhibits at a state-supported fair that
demonstrate the process of production and use of food and
fiber from the producer to the consumer in the state.
2) Requires CDFA to annually provide for a conference of
fair judges to aid CDFA in prescribing regulations for the
judging of exhibits and for the premiums paid for all
classes, sections, and types of exhibits, and authorizes
the Secretary of CDFA to expend up to $15,000 in any fiscal
year for these purposes.
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FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.
COMMENTS: CDFA's Fairs and Expositions Branch, charged with the
oversight of the network of California fairs, has had drastic
reductions in funding and staff since the elimination of General
Fund (GF) support in 2011. As GF contributions to California
fairs were eliminated, CDFA has not expended funds on food and
fiber related exhibits or an annual conference for fair judges
since fiscal year 2011-2012. Provisions of the Food and
Agriculture Code still reflect that CDFA shall expend these
funds for the specified purposes. AB 2888 would make these
payments permissive and contingent on new funding alleviating
concerns of unfulfilled statutory mandates.
RELATED LEGISLATION:
AB 315 (Bigelow), Chapter 512, Statutes of 2015, would have
repealed several requirements for fairs including: an annual
report to CDFA related to free pass admissions by fairs; CDFA
expenditures on exhibits, as specified; and, an annual
conference related to judging exhibits. This bill was passed
out of the Assembly on a 77-0 vote, but was substantially
amended in the Senate and was removed from the Agriculture
Committee's jurisdiction.
AB 2490 (Eggman), Chapter 342, Statutes of 2014, modified
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District Agricultural Association's (DAAs) requirements for
activities needing prior approval by CDFA and/or the Department
of General Services; recast language expanding duties; and, made
technical conforming changes.
AB 1647 (Bigelow) of 2014 would have repealed several
requirements for fairs including: an annual report to CDFA
related to free pass admissions by fairs; CDFA expenditures on
exhibits, as specified; and, an annual conference related to
judging exhibits. This bill was passed out of the Assembly on a
78-0 vote, but was substantially amended in the Senate and was
removed from the Agriculture Committee's jurisdiction.
SB 741 (Cannella) of 2013 would have made several substantive
and clarifying changes to current law related to the operation,
oversight, and funding of the network of California fairs, and
contained an urgency clause. This bill was held in the Assembly
Appropriations Committee.
AB 2345 (Ma) of 2012 would have established the California Fair
Network Commission as a nonprofit mutual-benefit corporation to
assess fees for services, managed funds, and provided
administration and oversight of California's fairs. This bill
was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
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SB 1085 (Runner), Chapter 320, Statutes of 2010, allows the 50th
DAA, with the consent of the Secretary of CDFA, to enter into a
joint powers agreement with a nonprofit organization to operate,
maintain, and improve the 50th DAA.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Western Fairs Association
Opposition
None of file.
Analysis Prepared by:Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
AB 2888
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