BILL ANALYSIS
AB 443
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 443 (Galgiani and Tom Berryhill)
As Amended August 17, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |79-0 |(June 1, 2009) |SENATE: |31-1 |(August 31, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: AGRI.
SUMMARY : Requires the Secretary (Secretary) of the California
Department of Food and Agriculture to appoint a committee
(committee), and a scientific advisory panel (panel), for the
purpose of preventing the future introduction of identified
pests and diseases related to the California apple industry;
expands the California Apple Commission's (Commission) authority
to include regulating apple movement and treatment to control
new pests and diseases; and, requires the Commission to
administer and fund the committee.
The Senate Amendments strike the regulation of apples and apple
handlers from outside California in regard to apple pests and
diseases, and allows the Commission to establish an annual
assessment to cover the cost of this act.
EXISTING LAW provides that the Commission, comprised of apple
handlers and producers, may enforce laws relative to apple
production, generally promote the sale of apples, and make
recommendations to the Secretary relative to apple maturity
standards. (Food and Agricultural Code Section 75501 et seq.)
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar
to version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, there is a one time cost of $75,000 and annual costs
of $200,000 or more, which are paid from an industry assessment.
COMMENTS : Proponents of this bill state that, due to the
reduction of state resources used to combat invasive pests, the
risk to California's agriculture has grown. This bill is
intended to maintain the integrity of apples handled and
produced in California, and to prevent the introduction and
AB 443
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spread of pests and diseases which are harmful to the state's
apple industry. This bill will expand the power of the
Commission to include regulating apple movement and treatment
within California to control new pests and diseases.
Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916)
319-2084
FN: 0002341