Bill Text: CA AB281 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Citrus disease prevention: California Citrus Pest and

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2009-10-11 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 426, Statutes of 2009. [AB281 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB281-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 281	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member De Leon
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Conway)

                        FEBRUARY 12, 2009

   An act to amend Section 48001 of the Food and Agricultural Code,
relating to agriculture.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 281, as introduced, De Leon. Citrus fruit crop: California
Citrus Advisory Committee.
   Existing law provides that there is in the Department of Food and
Agriculture the California Citrus Advisory Committee, comprised as
specified. The committee is required to develop and make
recommendations to the Secretary of Food and Agriculture on all
matters regarding the implementation of an inspection program,
including, among others, procedures for implementing an inspection
program that is to include certain features.
   This bill would specify that procedures for implementing an
inspection program shall also include development of a communications
program to inform producers and handlers of the requirements of the
inspection program.
   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.  Section 48001 of the Food and Agricultural Code is
amended to read:
   48001.  (a) There is in the department the California Citrus
Advisory Committee.
   (b) The committee shall be comprised as follows:
   (1) Eight producers.
   (A) Five producer members shall be engaged in the production of
navel or Valencia oranges; four of which shall be engaged in the
production of navel or Valencia oranges in the San Joaquin Valley,
and two of the four members shall be engaged in the production of
navel or Valencia oranges in Tulare County.
   (B) Two producer members shall be engaged in the production of
lemons, one of which is engaged in the production of lemons in
Ventura County.
   (C) One of the members shall be engaged in the production of
mandarin citrus.
   (2) Four handlers, which have their principal place of business
located in one of the following counties: Fresno, Kern, Madera,
Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Tulare, and Ventura.
   (A) Two handler members shall be located in the San Joaquin
Valley.
   (B) One handler member shall be engaged in the handling of lemons
in Ventura County.
   (c) The committee shall be appointed by the secretary from
nominations submitted to the secretary by members of the navel
orange, Valencia orange, lemon, and mandarin citrus industries group.

   (d) Committee members may be compensated for reasonable expenses
actually incurred in the performance of their duties, as determined
by the committee and concurred in by the secretary.
   (e) The committee shall meet at the request of the secretary, the
committee chairperson, or upon the request of three committee
members.
   (f) The committee shall appoint a chairperson, one or more vice
chairpersons, and any other officers it deems necessary.
   (g) The committee shall develop and make recommendations to the
secretary on all matters regarding the implementation of this chapter
including:
   (1) Procedures for implementing an inspection program that shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
   (A) Mandatory hold for inspection prior to shipping, following a
citrus freeze.
   (B) The minimum number of inspections to be conducted, and the
duration of each inspection period.
   (C) The minimum number of samples to be taken.
   (D) Statistical analysis of compliance levels and determination of
an acceptable level of compliance.
   (E) Documentation of inspection data including the number of
inspectors, number of inspections performed, and budget information
relating to expenses of personnel, mileage, and overhead costs.
   (F) Monitoring and postevaluation of program effectiveness by the
secretary.
   (G) Development of a single memorandum of understanding between
the department and all county agricultural commissioners for the
counties specified in subdivision (b). 
   (H) Development of a communications program to inform producers
and handlers of the requirements of the inspection program. 
   (2) Determinations as to which counties have met the inspection
requirements.
   (3) Procedures for implementing a state crop estimating and
acreage survey.
   (h) The secretary shall accept the recommendations of the
committee if he or she determines that the recommendations are
practicable and in the interest of the industry and the public. The
secretary shall provide the committee within 30 days of receipt of
the recommendations with a written statement of reasons if he or she
does not accept any of the recommendations.