BILL ANALYSIS
AB 281
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 281 (De Leon)
As Amended September 2, 2009
2/3 vote. Urgency
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|ASSEMBLY: |77-0 |(June 1, 2009) |SENATE: |38-0 |(September 4, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: AGRI.
SUMMARY : Creates the California Citrus Pest and Disease
Prevention Committee (CCPDPC) preventing and controlling citrus
diseases in California, and allows the CCPDPC to levy fees
within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA),
with the purpose of preventing and controlling citrus diseases
in California, and allows the CCDPC to levy fees on citrus
producers to pay for citrus disease detection and control
programs. Contains an urgency clause, allowing this bill to
take effect immediately upon enactment.
The Senate amendments :
1)Add citrus pests to the preview of CCPDPC.
2)Create a Citrus Disease Management Account within CDFA, funded
with funds from federal, industry and other sources.
3)Clarify rules governing CCPDPC.
4)Increase from $0.07 to $0.09 the maximum per carton assessment
CCPDPC may impose on citrus producers.
5)Exempt producers producing less than 750 40-pound cartons from
CCPDPC fees.
EXISTING LAW allows for the formation of a citrus pest control
district (CPCD) within a county for the purpose of eradication,
removal, and prevention of any and all citrus pests; allows
CPCD to consolidate with any other CPCD anywhere in the state;
and, allows CPCD to raise fees on citrus producers to accomplish
CPCD's goals. A petition from citrus producers is needed to
form or dissolve CPDC. (Food and Agriculture Code Section (FAC)
8400-8759)
AB 281
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The California Citrus Advisory Committee (CCAC), within CDFA,
makes recommendations to the Secretary of CDFA for citrus
inspections or survey procedures. CCAC may impose a per carton
fee up to 11 mills ($0.011) on navel oranges, five mills
($0.005) on lemons, and six mills ($0.006) on Valencia oranges
and Mandarin citrus, to accomplish CCAC goals. CCAC was created
by legislation. (FAC 48000-48003)
AS PASSED IN THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar
to the version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Committee on
Appropriations, the estimated CDFA program cost is $500,000
annually, with unknown costs for the prevention program from
assessment revenues estimated to be $1.36 ($0.01/carton) million
until September 30, 2009, after which it could reach up to an
estimated $12.24 million ($0.09/carton).
COMMENTS : According to the author, the $1.5 billion California
citrus industry is under threat from several destructive citrus
diseases, including Citrus Canker and Huanglongbing (HLB). To
date, there is no known control for these diseases other than
removing and destroying infected groves. After a 2005 discovery
in Florida, it took only two years for HLB to transmit to all 32
Florida citrus producing counties.
In September and October 2008, CDFA placed a quarantine on
southern San Diego County and southern Imperial County for the
Asian citrus psyllid, a known carrier of HLB. CDFA noted that
HLB has not been detected in California. This month HLB has
been detected in Mexico and in a shipment at the Fresno Airport.
The quarantine highlights the threat facing the California
citrus industry.
The funding mechanism of CCPDPC in this bill is similar to the
funding mechanism for the glassy winged sharpshooter and the
Pierce's Disease prevention program. The use of special and
industry funds to combat wine grape pests and diseases in
California are considered a success by the wine grape industry.
Related legislation : SB 140 (Corbett) of 2009, directs CDFA to
implement a Citrus Nursery Stock Pest Cleanliness program, with
the purpose of protecting the California Citrus Nursery Stock
industry from pests and diseases.
AB 281
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Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916)
319-2084
FN: 0002871