BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair

                                           606 (Ma)
          
          Hearing Date:  8/17/2009        Amended: 8/17/2009
          Consultant:  Bob Franzoia       Policy Vote: F&A 3-2
          _________________________________________________________________ 
          ____
          BILL SUMMARY: AB 606 would create the California Blueberry  
          Commission (commission) and would specify the powers, duties,  
          and responsibilities of the commission.  This commission would  
          be authorized to carry out programs of education, promotion,  
          marketing, and research relating to blueberries.  This bill  
          would authorize the commission to levy an annual assessment on  
          producers and handlers of blueberries, and would authorize the  
          expenditure of those funds for purposes of the commission,  
          thereby making an appropriation.  This bill would not become  
          operative until the producers and handlers vote in favor of this  
          bill's provisions.  The commission would be authorized to levy a  
          civil penalty and to bring civil actions to enforce the  
          provisions of this bill.  The commission would be authorized to  
          recommend to the Secretary of Food and Agriculture within the  
          California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) the  
          adoption of blueberry quality standards, product labeling, or  
          marketing activity.
          _________________________________________________________________ 
          ____
                            Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions         2009-10      2010-11       2011-12     Fund
           New marketing commission          Up to ($1,250)* in new revenue  
          annually;              Special**              all CDFA costs  
          reimbursed             
                                 
          * Based on maximum assessment of $0.025 on 50 million pounds of  
          blueberries
          ** Industry assessment
          _________________________________________________________________ 
          ____

          STAFF COMMENTS: 
          
          The commission is required to reimburse the Secretary of Food  
          and Agriculture for all expenditures incurred by the Secretary  
          in carrying out his or her duties and responsibilities related  










          to the commission.

          The state is not liable for the acts of the commission or its  
          contracts.

          At present, the state has 4,500 acres of blueberries in  
          production by 50 to 70 growers.  Continued growth may move the  
          state to the third or fourth largest blueberry producing state.