BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1437
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1437 (Huffman)
As Introduced February 27, 2009
Majority vote
AGRICULTURE 8-0 APPROPRIATIONS 10-3
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|Ayes:|Galgiani, Tom Berryhill, |Ayes:|De Leon, Ammiano, Davis, |
| |Conway, Fuller, Ma, | |Krekorian, Hall, John A. |
| |Mendoza, Yamada, Bonnie | |Perez, Price, Skinner, |
| |Lowenthal, | |Solorio, Torlakson |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Nielsen, Charles |
| | | |Calderon, Harkey |
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SUMMARY : Prohibits selling shelled eggs for human consumption in
California produced by egg-laying hens on farms not in compliance
with animal care standards. Specifically, this bill :
1)Prohibits shelled eggs from being sold for human consumption in
California if the farm or location for production is not in
compliance with California animal care standard beginning January
1, 2015.
2)Allows for a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment in a county
jail not to exceed 180 days or by both the fine and imprisonment.
EXISTING LAW prevents any person from tethering or confining, for all
or a majority of any day, animals, specifically pigs during
pregnancy, calves raised for veal, or egg-laying hens, in such a way
that prevents the animal from lying and standing, fully extending
limbs, and turning around completely. This begins on January 1,
2015. (Health and Safety Code Section 25900 et seq.)
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee,
negligible costs associated with this bill.
COMMENTS : In November 2008, voters passed Proposition 2, which
addressed confinement of farm animals. The law requires that certain
farm animals, including egg-laying hens, have room to move freely.
According to the author, requiring all eggs sold for human
AB 1437
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consumption in California to conform to the animal care standards
will protect California's consumer's health and welfare. Reports
cited by the author state that egg-laying hens subjected to stress
have a greater chance of carrying bacteria or viruses, thus having a
greater chance of exposing consumers to food borne bacteria and
viruses. Some supporters stated this bill will level the playing
field for California egg producers to remain competitive with
out-of-state egg producers.
California has a history of establishing animal welfare standards for
products consumed here. The Legislature passed SB 1520 (Burton),
Chapter 904, Statutes of 2004, which banned the sale of foie gras by
prohibiting the sale in California of a product if it is the result
of force feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird's liver
beyond normal size.
Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
FN: 0000710