BILL NUMBER:  AB 2676
  VETOED	DATE: 09/30/2012




To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 2676 without my signature.

This bill would provide criminal penalties for anyone who directs or
supervises farm workers and fails to provide sufficient amounts of
shade and cool, potable water.

In recent years, California has enhanced its existing safety
regulations to protect workers in all outdoor industries - -
implementing the most stringent standards in the nation.

Since these standards were adopted, enforcement has improved and
compliance has increased.  Cal/OSHA has conducted over 3,000 heat
safety inspections per year for the past three years.  Hundreds of
citations and penalties for violations of the heat safety standards
have been issued.  Compliance has increased in all industries from a
low of 32% in 2006 to over 80% in 2012, with even greater
improvements in agriculture.

While I believe enforcement of our heat standards can be improved, I
am not convinced that creating a new crime -- and a crime that
applies only to one group of employers -- is the answer.  Instead, we
should continue to enforce our stringent standards for the benefit
of all workers in all industries.

Sincerely,



Edmund G. Brown Jr.