The Governor has taken action on more than 600 bills passed by the Legislature in the final weeks of the session.  Below is an update on a number of the bills we were working on your behalf, as well as a budget update for the 2010-2011 budget year.

The Governor has taken action on more than 600 bills passed by the Legislature in the final weeks of the session.  Below is an update on a number of the bills we were working on your behalf, as well as a budget update for the 2010-2011 budget year.

AB 219 (Ruskin): SIGNED – Will Take Effect January 1, 2011

Summary: Would allow public officers associated with any area of government, including agriculture, and whether elected or appointed, to be appointed to, and to serve contemporaneously as members of, the board. This bill also increases the penalties for those who violate California law by bringing contraband (plants/fruits/vegetables) through the CDFA operated inspection stations.

Outcome: Passed out of the Assembly 77-0; Passed out of the Senate 36-0

AB 2530 (Nielsen): SIGNED – Will Take Effect January 1, 2011

Summary: Would beginning January 1, 2011, and until January 1, 2015, authorize a county to revise the term for Williamson Act contracts and require the assessor to value the property based on the new contract. The reduction in the contract benefit could be no more than 10%, with an equal reduction in the contract obligation (one year for a 10 year contract; two years for a 20 year contract). The bill would provide that a landowner may choose to non-renew and begin the cancellation process.

Outcome: Passed out of the Assembly 78-0; Passed out of the Senate 37-0

AB 2695 (Hernandez): SIGNED – Will Take Effect January 1, 2011

Summary: Would create the California Nursery Producers Commission in state government with a prescribed membership, and would specify the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the commission. The commission would be authorized to carry out programs of outreach, education, promotion, marketing, and research relating to nursery products. The bill would also authorize the commission to levy an annual assessment on producers of nursery products, and would authorize the expenditure of those funds for purposes of implementing and administering the bill's provisions.

Outcome: Passed out of the Assembly 67-9; Passed out of the Senate 23-8

SB 1157 (DeSaulnier): VETOED

Summary: Would, beginning January 1, 2012, require all school sites to adopt an integrated pest management program as established, administered, and enforced by the department. This bill would also require the rate of the assessment on registered pesticide products be augmented to reimburse the department, local agencies, and school districts for the cost of adopting integrated pest management programs at school sites.

Outcome: Passed out of the Senate 22-14 on a party-line vote; Passed out of the Assembly 47-27 on a party-line vote with Galgiani and Huber opposing

SB 1338 (Harman): SIGNED – Will Take Effect January 1, 2011

Summary: Would expand the method for establishing the value of the agricultural commodities for purposes of determining if a taking is grand theft.

Outcome: Passed out of the Senate 34-0; Passed out of the Assembly 74-0

SB 1433 (Leno): VETOED

Summary: Would require the California Air Resources Board to adjust these maximum civil and criminal penalties for inflation, and to publish the inflation-adjusted maximum penalties on its Internet Web site.

Outcome: Passed out of the Assembly 45-31 on a party-line vote with Caballero, Galgiani, Huber and Yamada opposing; Passed out of the Senate 21-7 on a party-line vote

SB 1474 (Steinberg): VETOED

Summary: Would authorize the Agricultural Labor Relations Board to set aside an election where there has been misconduct by the employer affecting the outcome of the election and to certify a labor organization as the exclusive bargaining representative for a bargaining unit if the organization had previously presented the board with authorization cards signed by more than 50% of the employees in that bargaining unit.

Outcome: Passed out of the Senate 23-11 on a party-line vote; Passed out of the Assembly 45-27 on a party-line vote with Huber opposing

2010-2011 Budget

The Governor and Legislative Leadership have reached an agreement on the 2010-2011 budget.  Legislators are expected to be back in town later this week for a vote. 

Members seeking regular updates and progress reports on any of these issues and those wishing to testify at legislative hearings should contact: info@cangc.org

 

Additional Information