BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 1437
                                                                  Page  1

          CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
          AB 1437 (Huffman)
          As Amended  May 26, 2010
          Majority vote
           
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          |ASSEMBLY:  |65-12|(May 26, 2009)  |SENATE: |23-7 |(June 17,      |
          |           |     |                |        |     |2010)          |
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           Original Committee Reference:    AGRI.  

           SUMMARY  :  Prohibits selling shelled eggs for human consumption in  
          California produced by egg-laying hens on farms not in compliance  
          with California animal care standards.  
           
          The Senate amendments  are technical.

           EXISTING LAW  prevents any person, beginning January 1, 2015,  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.  
           (Health and Safety Code Section 25900 et seq.)

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  According to the Senate Appropriations Committee,  
          pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.  

           AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY  , this bill was substantially similar  
          to the version passed by the Senate.

           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.  This bill will require out-of-state egg producers to  
          comply with California animal care standards

          According to the author, requiring all eggs sold for human  
          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  








                                                                  AB 1437
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          out-of-state egg producers.

           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084  



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