BILL NUMBER: AB 2720 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 18, 2010
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 10, 2010
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 12, 2010
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members John A. Perez and Bass
(Principal coauthor: Senator Alquist)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Galgiani and Hall)
FEBRUARY 19, 2010
An act to add and repeal Article 3 (commencing with
Section 104660) to of Chapter 2 of Part
3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public
health.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2720, as amended, John A. Perez. Public health: food access.
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture,
headed by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, to promote and
protect the agricultural industry of the state.
Existing law, until January 1, 2011, requires the State Department
of Public Health to develop a "Healthy Food Purchase" pilot program
to increase the sale and purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables in
low-income communities, as specified.
This bill would , until January 1, 2014, and to the extent
federal funds are made available for this purpose,
create the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative. It would
require, by July 1, 2011, the Department of Food and Agriculture, in
consultation with the State Department of Public Health and the State
Department of Social Services, to prepare recommendations, to be
presented upon request to the Legislature, regarding actions that
need to be taken to promote food access in the state. It would also
require the Department of Food and Agriculture to coordinate efforts
to implement the initiative and maximize the funding opportunities
provided by the federal 2010 Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
The bill would create the California Healthy Foods Financing
Initiative Fund in the State Treasury, to be comprised of federal,
state, and private funds for the purpose of expanding access to
healthy foods in underserved communities and, to the extent
practicable, to leverage other funding, as specified. Moneys in the
fund shall be expended upon appropriation by the Legislature.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) California has some of the most productive farmlands in the
world. California's farmlands produce more than 350 commodities and
food items. These farmlands require protection and efficient
operations to maintain our food supply and guarantee a natural
resource for California's future generations.
(b) California's cultural heritage provides the basis for a
variety of food items that are available to the state's 36 million
residents.
(c) The production and preparation of food needs to be conducted
in a healthy and humane manner.
(d) Access to healthy food items is a basic human right. Lack of
access to healthy, affordable food items may result in higher levels
of obesity and other diet-related diseases. Communities without
access to affordable, quality, and nutritious foods are known as food
deserts.
(e) Opportunities for increasing the number of grocery stores,
urban and rural farm stands, farmers' markets, community gardens,
direct farm to institution, and direct farmer to consumer marketing
activities in underserved communities should be actively pursued and
fostered to ensure that all Californians have access to healthy
foods.
SEC. 2. Article 3 (commencing with Section 104660) is added to
Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
Article 3. California Healthy Food Financing Initiative
104660. This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the
California Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
104661. (a) By July 1, 2011, the Department of Food and
Agriculture, in consultation with the State Department of Public
Health and the State Department of Social Services, shall prepare
recommendations, to be presented upon request of the Legislature,
regarding actions that need to be taken to promote food access in the
state.
(b) The Secretary of Food and Agriculture may establish an
advisory group to assist the agencies in complying with the
requirements of subdivision (a). If established, the advisory group
shall consist of representatives from the Legislature, food policy
advocates, representatives from the grocery industry and
financial institutions, food systems researchers, representatives
from the agricultural industry, and representatives from
nonprofit organizations with expertise in this area.
104662. The Department of Food and Agriculture, in consultation
with the State Department of Public Health, the State Department of
Social Services, and the Treasurer shall implement the California
Healthy Food Financing Initiative, including, but not limited to,
coordinating efforts to maximize the funding opportunities provided
by the federal 2010 Healthy Food Financing Initiative. This national
initiative is intended to expand access to nutritious foods in
underserved urban and rural communities and eliminate food deserts
across the country within seven years.
104663. (a) There is hereby established in the State Treasury the
California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Fund, which shall be
comprised of federal, state, and private funds for the purpose of
expanding access to healthy foods in underserved communities.
(b) Moneys in the fund shall be expended upon appropriation by the
Legislature, and shall be used, to the extent practicable, to
leverage other funding, including, but not limited to, new markets
tax credits, federal and foundation grant programs, incentives
available to designated enterprise zones, and funding from private
sector financial institutions pursuant to the federal Community
Reinvestment Act.
104664. (a) This article shall be implemented only to the extent
that federal funds are made available for the purposes of this
article.
(b) This article shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2014, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends
that date.