BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 746| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- CONSENT Bill No: SB 746 Author: Wolk (D), et al. Introduced:2/27/15 Vote: 21 SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 7-0, 4/14/15 AYES: Pavley, Stone, Fuller, Hueso, Jackson, Monning, Wolk NO VOTE RECORDED: Allen, Hertzberg SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE: 8-0, 4/22/15 AYES: Hernandez, Nguyen, Mitchell, Monning, Nielsen, Pan, Roth, Wolk NO VOTE RECORDED: Hall SUBJECT: Food safety: grist mills SOURCE: Author DIGEST: This bill allows the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park to sell flour produced onsite by providing for a specific exemption from existing requirements for processed food and retail food facilities. This exemption would begin January 1, 2018. ANALYSIS: Existing law: SB 746 Page 2 1)States that it is "imperative that the state commit to a long-term goal of adequately and sustainably funding and maintaining California's state park system to protect these irreplaceable resources and to preserve California's legacy for the benefit of all Californians. To this end, it is necessary that the state identify new revenue strategies that will move the state toward that goal, and affirm a state policy that park closures are to occur only as a last resort, and only after all reasonable alternatives have been pursued." (Public Resources Code Section (PRC) §5019.91) 2)Creates the Park Forward Initiative. Within the Initiative, an independent panel of experts, citizens, and advocates, called the Parks Forward Commission, was designated to assess the state park system and recommend substantial improvements. Specifically, they were tasked to address the "financial, operational, cultural, and population challenges facing state parks to ensure the system's long-term viability, functionality, and relevance." In February, 2015, the Parks Forward Commission released its Final Recommendations. This report suggested, amongst other actions, a "rededication to working with park partners" and a focus on innovative ways to increase revenue. 3)Allows for the sale of "historically authentic" goods at state historical units, such as the Bale Grist Mill, in order to generate revenue. "Certain agricultural, mercantile, or other commercial activities may be permitted if those activities are a part of the history of the individual unit and any developments retain or restore historical authenticity" (PRC §5019.59). Several species of citrus, for example, are grown at the California Citrus State Historic Park. This bill provides Grist Mill State Historic Park a specific exemption from existing requirements for processed food and retail food facilities. The exemption allows the Park to sell flour produced onsite. Comments: Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park: This park includes the mill and its 36-foot water wheel, which are protected as a state historic landmark, as well as Pioneer Cemetery and the site of SB 746 Page 3 the first church in the Napa Valley. It is currently being managed through a partnership between Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District and the nonprofit Napa Valley State Parks Association. Flour would be sold for consumption. This bill allows the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park to sell flour produced onsite without requiring the flour be labeled "not fit for human consumption," by providing for a specific exemption from existing requirements for processed food and retail food facilities. Why was last year's bill vetoed? A nearly identical bill was vetoed by the governor at the end of the 2014 legislative year. The veto message indicated that the proposed start of the exemption did not provide enough time for best management procedures to be developed. This bill provides more time for that work to be completed, and the author continues to work with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Parks and Recreation on the issue. Recent related legislation SB 170 (Wolk, 2013), a nearly identical bill, was vetoed last year. The issues raised in the Governor's veto message are being addressed by the author's office, and are reflected in this bill. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.:NoLocal: No SUPPORT: (Verified4/28/15) Napa City Council Napa County Board of Supervisors Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District OPPOSITION: (Verified4/28/15) SB 746 Page 4 None received ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, "Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is a flour mill that predates California's statehood. The historic construction of the mill prevents it from being altered to comply with the standards for a food processing facility or a retail food facility. Even with the two exemptions provided in SB 746, all grains milled at the facility would meet applicable federal food adulteration standards for cleanliness and safety." The author continues, "originally selected for closure along with 69 other state parks, Bale Grist Mill is now operated through a partnership between the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District and the Napa Valley State Parks Association. Allowing milled flour to be sold for human consumption will help generate revenue necessary to maintain the park and preserve this unique facility for future visitors." The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District adds, "the bill would exempt the unique, National Register of Historic Places-listed Bale Grist Mill from the state's processed and retail food registration requirements. This would allow grain produced at the grist mill to be sold to park visitors for human consumption. Such sales are an important component of our long-term strategy to preserve the landmark mill and introduce the public to life in the 19th century, without taxpayer subsidy." Prepared by:Angee Doerr / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116 4/29/15 16:07:39 **** END ****