BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 702|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 702
Author: Salas (D)
Amended: 8/2/10 in Senate
Vote: 21
ALL PRIOR VOTES NOT RELEVANT
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 8-0, 6/29/10
AYES: Lowenthal, Huff, DeSaulnier, Harman, Kehoe, Pavley,
Simitian, Wolk
NO VOTE RECORDED: Ashburn
SUBJECT : Farmworker housing
SOURCE : California Coalition for Rural Housing
DIGEST : This bill expands the universe of who may reside
in farmworker housing to include any person who works on or
off the farm in processing of any agricultural commodity
until it is shipped for distribution.
ANALYSIS : Under current law, the Department of Housing
and Community Development administers the Joe Serna Jr.,
Farmworker Housing Grant Program (FWHG), which funds the
development of ownership or rental homes for agricultural
employees and their families through grants to local
governments and non-profit organizations.
The statute defines "agricultural employees" as persons
engaged in agriculture as well as persons who work at a
CONTINUED
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packing shed for a labor contractor or other entity that
contract with an agricultural employer in order to perform
services in connection with handling, drying, packing, or
storing any agricultural commodity in its raw or natural
state.
This bill, for purposes of the FWHG Program, expands the
definition of "agricultural employees" to include any
person who works on or off the farm in processing of any
agricultural commodity until it is shipped for
distribution.
Background
According to the California Coalition for Rural Housing,
the sponsor of this bill, in 2008 Congress, for purposes of
federal housing programs, expanded the definition of
domestic farm labor to include workers engaged not only in
the handling of agricultural commodities in the unprocessed
stage but also in the "processing of agricultural or
aquacultural commodities." Moreover, the federal
legislation clarified that farm labor may be performed off
the farm, not just on the farm. This bill more closely
conforms the state's definition of agricultural employee to
the analogous federal definition, which will:
Allow operators of farmworker housing to rent out units
financed with both federal and state funding using one set
of eligibility rules rather than two.
Increase the financial viability of state-financed
farmworker housing by expanding the eligible population
that may rent such units.
Eliminate confusion and instability among agricultural
workers who perform more than one kind of agricultural
activity (e.g., field work and processing).
Provide a stable and well-housed workforce for local
employers engaged in the cultivation, handling, drying,
packing, processing, or storing of agricultural products.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
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SUPPORT : (Verified 8/2/10)
California Coalition for Rural Housing (source)
California Rural Legal Assistance
JJA:do 8/2/10 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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