BILL ANALYSIS
AB 702
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 702 (Salas)
As Amended August 9, 2010
2/3 vote. Urgency
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|ASSEMBLY: | |(June 2, 2009) |SENATE: |35-0 |(August 19, |
| | | | | |2010) |
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(vote not relevant)
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|COMMITTEE VOTE: |8-0 |(August 25, 2010) |RECOMMENDATION: |Concur |
| | | | | |
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Original Committee Reference: H. & C.D.
SUMMARY : Expands the definition of who may reside in farmworker
housing, for the purpose of the Joe Serna Jr., Farmworker Housing
Grant Program (FWHG) to include any person who works on or off the
farm in processing of any agricultural commodity until it is
shipped for distribution. Includes an urgency clause.
The Senate amendments delete the Assembly version of the bill, and
instead make changes to the bill as described above.
EXISTING LAW defines an "agricultural employee" as any person who
works at a packing shed for a labor contractor or other entity that
contracts 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.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required the Department of
Housing & Community Development (HCD) to ensure that a percentage
of the money in the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP)
fund is allocated to sponsors of veterans' only homeless projects
or projects that give preference to veterans during any fiscal year
in proportion to the percentage of homeless veterans represent of
the total homeless.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
AB 702
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COMMENTS : On June 18, 2008, for the purpose of qualifying for
federal housing assistance, Congress expanded the definition of
domestic farm labor to include processing workers engaged not only
in the handling of agricultural commodities in the unprocessed
state but in the "processing of agricultural or agricultural
commodities." The federal legislation clarified that farm labor
may be performed on the farm, or off the farm, in non-farm
locations including a processing facility.
The amendments taken in the Senate delete the contents of this bill
and instead seek to conform the definition of "agricultural
employee" in the FWHG program to the federal definition, to include
workers working off the farm and engaging in processing of
manufactured commodities.
The FWHG provides funding to grantees that build or rehabilitate
properties to house farmworkers.
Analysis Prepared by : Lisa Engel / H. C. & D. / (916) 319-2085
FN: 0006768