BILL ANALYSIS
AB 945
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 945 (Agriculture Committee)
As Amended April 13, 2009
Majority vote
AGRICULTURE 8-0 APPROPRIATIONS 16-0
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|Ayes:|Galgiani, Tom Berryhill, |Ayes:|De Leon, Nielsen, |
| |Arambula, Conway, Fuller, | |Ammiano, |
| |Ma, Mendoza, Yamada | |Charles Calderon, |
| | | |Krekorian, Duvall, |
| | | |Fuentes, Monning, Harkey, |
| | | |Miller, John A. Perez, |
| | | |Price, Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Audra Strickland, |
| | | |Torlakson |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Deletes alternative certificate options for an
individual horse show, competition, or sale, thereby having all
designated shows, competitions and sales under the purview of
the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA);
extends the sunset for fruit and vegetable standardization to
January 1, 2015.
EXISTING LAW exempts the Secretary (Secretary) of CDFA's
authority to certify an individual horse show, competition, or
sale when the following are satisfied:
1)A written certification is requested.
2)The event manager makes a written request 30 days prior to an
event.
3)The sponsor's drug and medication rules comply or are more
stringent than the state requirements.
4)Drug and medication usage is monitored in accordance with
sponsor's rules.
5)Appropriate security and identification of test samples occur
and analysis is done by an accredited laboratory.
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6)Effective enforcement procedures occur.
This certificate is only for one event and may be withdrawn by
the Secretary if compliance with the stated requirements fails.
CDFA is authorized to create standardization programs for
fruits, nuts, and vegetables and for implementing them through
industry funds. This requires regulations necessary to carry
out this program, including, but not limited to, assessment
rates and payment procedures. These statutory authorizations
will sunset on January 1, 2010.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Committee on
Appropriations, there are no costs associated with the changes
to the Equine Medication Monitoring Program (EMMP). The
standardization programs cost $1.9 million per year and are
fully funded using industry assessments. Extending the sunset
date would continue those costs and assessments on the fruits,
nuts, and vegetable industries.
COMMENTS : The EMMP Advisory Committee (Committee) is made up of
various appointed members whose organizations or events are
affected by this program. At the Committee's October 16, 2008,
annual meeting, they proposed elimination of this alternative
certification program which they could use instead of CDFA's
program. Further, the United States Equine Foundation's Medical
Administrator, Dr. Steve Shumacher, confirmed with Committee
staff that CDFA's program is consistent with the federal program
so the alternative certification is not needed.
The purpose of the state's standardization programs are to
remove from the channels of trade, fruits, nuts, and
vegetables not complying to minimum standards for quality, size,
maturity, consistency in packaging, labeling and packing. This
protects the consumers from having products that are not mature
in the marketplace or that could have animal or packing damage,
causing the product to prematurely rot or spoil. This is funded
by a container fee assessed per container and established by
CDFA through regulation.
Analysis Prepared by : Jim Collin / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
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FN: 0000504