BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 348
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 348 (Galgiani)
As Amended August 7, 2013
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :38-0
AGRICULTURE 7-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Eggman, Olsen, Atkins, |Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, Bigelow, |
| |Dahle, Pan, Quirk, Yamada | |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian |
| | | |Calderon, Campos, |
| | | |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, |
| | | |Hall, Holden, Linder, |
| | | |Pan, Quirk, Wagner, Weber |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Extends the provisions and repeal dates of the California
Seed Law (CSL) and county subventions, until July 1, 2016, and
January 1, 2017, respectfully.
EXISTING LAW permits the California Department of Food and
Agriculture (CDFA) to pay counties annually for the costs incurred
in the enforcement of CSL by the county commissioners. These
payments are made to the counties at the discretion of CDFA and upon
the recommendation of the Seed Advisory Board (SAB), and those
counties without activities may receive $100.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to Assembly Appropriations Committee, CDFA
sends $120,000 per year (special funds) to California's counties in
order to fund the enforcement of the CSL provisions; and, CDFA
estimates that without subventions they would need approximately
$500,000 annually to enforce the CSL.
COMMENTS : The CSL was enacted in 1967 to ensure that agricultural
seed is properly and accurately identified on the product label.
Seed is analyzed through the Seed Services program, administered by
CDFA. The CSL is locally enforced by county agricultural
commissioners who enter into cooperative agreements with CDFA and
agree to maintain a statewide compliance level on all seed sold in
the county. In return, county agricultural commissioners receive
annual subvention payments for expenses incurred in association with
approved enforcement work plans.
SB 348
Page 2
Funding for this program is through industry seed assessments and
registration fees, and is administered by CDFA. Every labeler of
agricultural seed offered for sale in California, or any person who
sells that seed in this state, must annually register as a seed
labeler and pay an annual fee of $40. In addition, those who are
registered seed labelers must also pay an assessment capped at $0.40
per $100 gross annual dollar volume sales. CDFA determines the rate
of assessment, not to exceed the department's cost of carrying out
these provisions.
The SAB, commissioners, and CDFA, are in discussions as to how to
rework the funding structure to better reflect the current needs of
everyone. Due to these concerns, the sunset is being extended for
two years rather than the typical five years. This will give the
parties a chance to work out a resolution.
Analysis Prepared by : Jim Collin / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084FN:
0001839