BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2081
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 7, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 2081 (Daly) - As Amended: April 22, 2014
Policy Committee: Water, Parks and
Wildlife Vote:
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill clarifies that living and producing vineyards are
eligible to be registered as historical landmarks and points of
historical interest by the Department of Parks and Recreation
(DPR) if requested by the landowner, and subsequent landowners.
This bill allows routine agricultural practices on vineyards
that are registered as historical resources.
FISCAL EFFECT
Negligible state costs.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose. According to the author, historic vineyards are
found throughout California, with original plantings dating
back to the early 1800s, some of which are still producing
grapes for winemakers today. While there are a number of
historic vineyards or wineries currently listed on the
California Register of Historical Resources, few if any of
these are currently "producing" vineyards.
The author also indicates that some property owners may be
reluctant to nominate their properties for inclusion on the
Register for fear that the listing may prevent them from
ordinary agricultural practices.
The author has introduced this bill to clarify that producing
vineyards, groves and orchards, along with other living things
in agriculture, are eligible to be recognized for their
historic significance by the State Historical Resources
AB 2081
Page 2
Commission. This bill also provides that if registered,
agricultural historical places may continue agricultural
production.
2)Background. DPR is required to consider all recommendations
by the Commission for historical landmarks or points of
historical interest to be added to the California Register of
Historical Resources. State historical landmarks are those
buildings, structures, sites, or places that DPR determines
are important historical resources. Points of historical
interest are buildings, structures, sites, or places that DPR
determines are resources of sufficient historical interest to
qualify for the placement of a designated sign.
3)Suggested Amendments. Before a producing vineyard can be
included on the Register, this bill requires landowners and
subsequent landowners to request inclusion. It is unclear
why subsequent landowners are included in this provision.
Additionally, this bill provides that "notwithstanding any
other law" an agricultural historical resource may continue
agricultural practices. This provision is overly broad and
may potentially be determined to override existing
environmental, agricultural preservation, and discretionary
local property tax requirements and conditions.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081