BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 746|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
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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:
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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
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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)
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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
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