Bill Text: CA AB408 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-09-01 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB408 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AB408-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Senate
August 14, 2023 |
|
Amended
IN
Senate
July 13, 2023 |
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
May 25, 2023 |
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
April 12, 2023 |
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
March 16, 2023 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 408
| Introduced by Assembly Members Wilson and Connolly (Coauthors: Assembly Members Addis, Garcia, Kalra, Pellerin, Robert Rivas, and Wood) (Coauthors: Senators |
February 02, 2023 |
An act to add Division 49 (commencing with Section 80700) to the Public Resources Code, relating to the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, by providing the funds necessary therefor, through an election for the issuance and sale of bonds of the State of California, and for the handling and disposition of those funds, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 408, as amended, Wilson.
Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law under Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.
This bill would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3,365,000,000
$3,650,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities.
The bill would make its provisions severable.
The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Digest Key
Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NOBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Division 49 (commencing with Section 80700) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:DIVISION 49. Climate-Resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024
CHAPTER 1. General Provisions
80700.
This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.80701.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) A secure, resilient, sustainable, and equitable food and farming system is essential for the economic, cultural, and social well-being of the people of California. The climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the state’s food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. The scale of these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainability and resiliency, including investments in infrastructure related to the needs of farms, ranches, traditional food systems, fisheries, farmworkers, distribution
systems, and food access.
(b) Climate change increases the risk of extreme weather events, biodiversity losses, catastrophic wildfires, and sea level rise, and presents a significant threat to the health, safety, and prosperity of the people of California.
(c) California’s low-income communities of color and tribal communities bear a disproportionate burden of climate change’s adverse impacts, and many of these communities are still recovering from the inequitable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(d) Approximately 20.3 percent of Californians, or 7,900,000 people, are food insecure. Black, African American, Latino, Native American, and other Californians who identify with two or more racial categories have
higher rates of food insecurity compared to their non-Latino, White counterparts.
(e) Food and nutrition insecurity affect Californians across their lifespans, starting in childhood for millions of children who grow up in poverty, and continuing into late adulthood for the nearly 40 percent of low-income Californians over 60 years of age who are food insecure.
(f) Farmworkers, a primarily Latino and immigrant workforce, who often lack access to safe, affordable housing and live in overcrowded housing conditions, are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, wildfire smoke exposure, heat-related illness, and work interruptions as the climate crisis intensifies.
(g) Latino children in California are 91 percent more
likely than White children to attend schools with significant pesticide exposure.
(h) Low-income communities of color and tribal communities have less access to healthy and culturally relevant foods than higher income communities, and consequently face disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease.
(i) Food and fiber producers are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale producers and producers of color.
(j) With California agricultural land prices increasing 10 percent between 2021 and 2022, accessing agricultural land and securing land tenure
continue to present obstacles for small-scale farmers. Farmers of color have also faced generations of discriminatory lending and market practices and ongoing barriers that prevent them from accessing land, culturally relevant technical support, and recovery initiatives.
(k) Food system essential workers are often required to continue working during ongoing emergencies, such as wildfires and extreme heat events, and too often are denied access to adequate safety measures to protect their personal health and the well-being of their family members and communities.
(l) Strategic investments in infrastructure projects that support California’s workforce, climate-resilient food and fiber production, regional food supply chains, increased access to healthy foods, tribal nations, and
historically underserved communities will help build California’s economy, while increasing the state’s overall resilience against future catastrophes, including climate change.
(m) Sustainable food and fiber production, including certified organic production and climate-smart agriculture practices, increases the climate resilience of California’s agriculture sector, while providing cobenefits for the economy, public health, and the environment.
(n) During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption, a record number of farmers applied to the state’s climate-smart agriculture programs, showing a growing interest for state investments in climate friendly farming practices and indigenous traditional land management practices.
(o) Investing in farmworkers and food supply chain workers will help California meet the needs of a 21st century workforce while supporting the well-being of, and safe working conditions for, California’s essential workers.
(p) Building decentralized local and regional food system infrastructure, from production to consumption, will combat hunger and improve nutrition, create jobs, and increase long-term resilience in communities throughout the state.
(q) Rebuilding regional food infrastructure in key areas, including community and school commercial kitchens, fishing infrastructure, local meat processing and storage facilities, and food hubs for improved distribution, will increase healthy food access for Californians, especially for children, seniors, and other vulnerable
populations.
(r) Discriminatory practices and their ongoing legacy mean that many food and fiber producers of color are unable to access technical and financial resources. An equitable economy requires direct distribution of funding to socially disadvantaged food and fiber producers and historically underserved communities of color through tribal governments and entities led by people of color.
(s) Empowering indigenous communities and tribal producers, who maintained balance with California’s ecosystems since time immemorial, through investments that acknowledge and support their unique traditions and cultural practices will build strong
indigenous-driven food systems that benefit all Californians, wildlife, and the environment.
(t) The investment of public funds pursuant to this division will result in public, environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits, will address inequities in our food and farming systems, and is an opportunity to support healing at the community level for historic and ongoing traumas.
(u) Consumer interest in sustainably grown organic produce has surpassed in-state supplies in recent years, with demand for organic produce at unprecedented levels in recent years.
(v) To reduce food and nutrition insecurity and improve access to healthy and culturally relevant food, the investment of public moneys
pursuant to this division is necessary in order to build the infrastructure necessary to support community-based resilient food systems. Communities and tribes will have control over where their foods come from, with the ability to focus on the public health, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts. In a more just food system, all communities can have both increased access to nutritious, affordable food and the ability to maintain a food system that prioritizes environmental and human needs.
(w) Existing law requires the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Council to implement an initiative to expand access to nutritious food in underserved, urban, and rural communities and to eliminate food deserts in California.
(x) Whereas it is fiscally prudent to leverage bond
funding primarily for capital expenditures, additional state, local, and federal financial support should be provided to ensure adequate funding is available for project planning, community engagement, outreach, technical assistance, and organizational capacity. That financial support is particularly necessary when the proceeds of bonds will fund projects benefiting disadvantaged communities, tribal populations, and socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and other food producers.
80702.
For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:(a) “Beginning farmer or rancher” means a person who has not operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer, or has operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer for not more than 10 consecutive years, and will materially and substantially participate in the operation of a farm, ranch, or tribal producer operation.
(b) “Committee” means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created pursuant to Section 80772.
(c) “Disadvantaged
community” means any of the following:
(1) A community located in a census tract in which the median household income of less than 80 percent of the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(2) A municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 20,000 persons or less, with an annual median household income that is less than 85 percent of the statewide median household income.
(3) A community located in a census tract in which the household income of at least 20 percent of the population is at or below the federal poverty level based on family
size.
(d) “Food hub” means a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution of locally or regionally produced food products.
(e) “Fund” means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund created pursuant to Section 80703.
(f) “Heat island effect” means the effect of increased temperatures in urbanized areas caused by structures, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, that absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as farmland, forests, and water bodies.
(g) “Limited resource
farmer or rancher” has the same meaning as defined in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(h) “Local educational agency” means a charter school, school district, tribal school, or county office of education.
(i) “Nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit corporation qualified to do business in California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(j) “Priority population” means any of the following:
(1) A community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2) A low-income household, as defined in Section
39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3) A low-income community, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(k) “Producer” means a person, partnership, corporation, or otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products through agricultural arts on land that the entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possess. An entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possess property only during the harvest season for the agricultural products produced on that property is not a “producer.”
(l) “Resilience” means the ability of an entity or system, including an individual, community, or natural system, and its component
parts to absorb, accommodate, and recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its structures and functions. In the case of natural and working lands, resilience also includes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the lands’ ability to sequester carbon.
(m) “School food authorities” has the same meaning as defined in Section 49563 of the Education Code.
(n) “Small- and medium-sized farms” means farms and ranches of 500 acres or less.
(o) “Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” has the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(p) “State General Obligation Bond Law” means the State General Obligation Bond Law (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 16720) of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code), as it may be amended from time to time.
(q) “Sustainable agriculture” means a system of management practices that increase the climate resilience of California’s agriculture sector, provide cobenefits for public health, the economy, and the environment, and can help improve the health of communities by protecting and conserving water, reducing the use of synthetic farm inputs, protecting air quality, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity by supporting native species, reducing onfarm emissions of greenhouse gases, and increasing soil carbon content.
(r) “Technical assistance” means outreach, education, project planning assistance, project design assistance, funding application assistance, project implementation assistance, and project reporting assistance provided to project applicants.
(s) “Tribal government” means the government of a tribe, tribal agency, or subdivision thereof.
(t) “Tribal organization” means any of the following:
(1) A tribal government.
(2) A legally established organization of native people that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal government, is democratically elected by the adult members of the tribal community to be served by the legally established
organization, and maximizes participation of native people in all phases of its activities.
(3) A nonprofit organization chartered under tribal government law or state law that is primarily led by and serves tribal communities.
(u) “Tribal producer” means either of the following:
(1) A member of a tribe who is involved in agricultural production or traditional Native American tending, gathering, hunting, or fishing practices.
(2) A member of a tribe who manages land traditionally for food, fiber, ceremonial, or other culture-based purposes.
(v) “Tribe” means a federally recognized Native
American tribe or a nonfederally recognized Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community listed on the California tribal consultation list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
(w) “Vulnerable population” means a subgroup of a population within a region or community that faces a disproportionately heightened risk of, or increased sensitivity to, impacts of climate change and that lacks adequate resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from those impacts.
80703.
The proceeds of bonds, excluding those issued in accordance with Section 80779, issued and sold pursuant to this division shall be deposited into the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. All moneys in the fund, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are hereby continuously appropriated without respect to fiscal years for the purposes of this division.80704.
Up to 5 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division may be used for administrative costs.80705.
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), not more than 10 percent of the moneys made available to an administering agency pursuant to each section of this division may be expended for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects to be funded by those moneys. This section does not restrict the expenditure of moneys ordinarily used by a state agency for “preliminary plans,” “working drawings,” and “construction,” as defined in the annual Budget Act for a capital outlay project or grant project.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a state agency administering moneys made available pursuant to a section of this division may use
more than 10 percent of those moneys for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects pursuant to that section if the state agency determines that the additional moneys are needed for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c) A state agency may allocate moneys pursuant to this division to a federal agency if the state agency determines the allocation is the most efficient way to implement this division on federally managed lands.
(d) (1) At least 50 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division shall be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged
farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations, except if the agency allocating those moneys reasonably determines that it cannot allocate the full amount of those moneys consistent with both this subdivision’s requirement and the other applicable requirements of this division, the agency may, notwithstanding this subdivision’s requirement, allocate those moneys consistent with the other applicable requirements of this division in a manner that furthers the fundamental purposes of this subdivision to the greatest extent feasible.
(2) Of the moneys allocated pursuant to paragraph (1), at least 10 percent shall be allocated for projects benefiting tribes, tribal producers, and tribal nonprofit organizations.
(e) All services, technical
assistance, outreach, and support described in this division shall be provided in culturally competent ways that best serve the target population and are fully and equally accessible to those of limited English proficiency.
80706.
(a) In the allocation and administration of funding authorized pursuant to this division, priority shall be given to projects that meet the criteria described in subdivision (b) and leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.(b) To the extent practicable, when allocating moneys pursuant to this division, an agency shall prioritize projects that do any of the following, with greatest prioritization for projects that offer multiple health, economic, social, and environmental benefits:
(1) Support the needs expressed by, and leverage the expertise of, community-based
organizations and coalitions, and the constituencies they represent.
(2) Invest in holistic community development efforts, especially in disadvantaged communities, that simultaneously promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation.
(3) Build the infrastructure needed to support and bolster socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, especially producers of color and small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(4) Expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet California’s climate goals and the regional needs of California’s communities.
(5) Emphasize partnerships between community-based and
other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, research institutions, and local governments to support economic development and climate resilience.
(6) Support the formation and continued success of cooperatively owned and operated food and agriculture businesses in historically underserved communities.
(7) Address the needs of historically underserved communities, including the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers,
tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and food system workers.
(8) Support the health, safety, and financial security of the food and agriculture workforce.
(9) Accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which degrade soil, air, and water quality and disproportionately harm farmworker communities and communities adjacent to farmland.
(10) Reduce food and nutrition insecurity and increase access to sustainable, healthy, and culturally relevant food for all Californians.
(11) Acknowledge, protect, and are led by indigenous knowledge and expertise to build more just, equitable, and resilient tribally led
food and farming systems.
(12) Reduce inequities in land ownership and access, return land to tribal control, utilize comanagement of lands with tribes, protect farmland, facilitate land tenure, and support farm viability and transition.
(c) A project funded pursuant to this division shall include signage informing the public that the project received funding from the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80707.
Moneys allocated pursuant to this division shall not be used to fulfill any environmental mitigation requirements imposed by law.80708.
For moneys allocated for a project that serves a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or tribal producer, the administering agency may provide advanced payments in accordance with Section 11019.1 of the Government Code.80709.
(a) Except as specified in subdivision (b), up to 10 percent of the moneys available to an administering agency pursuant to each chapter of this division may be allocated for technical assistance and capacity building. Each administering state agency shall operate a multidisciplinary technical assistance program for this purpose.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an administering agency may exceed the 10-percent limitation if it determines the additional funding is needed to provide technical assistance and capacity building for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations,
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, or tribal producers.
80710.
Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to the development and adoption of guidelines, requirements, or selection criteria pursuant to this division.80711.
To the extent consistent with federal law, all proceeds of bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be available to individuals for application in accordance with the applicable chapter of this division regardless of their immigration status.80712.
If any moneys allocated pursuant to this division are not encumbered or expended by the recipient entity within the time period specified by the administering agency, the unexpended moneys shall revert to the administering agency for allocation consistent with the applicable chapter of this division.CHAPTER 2. Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture
80720.
The sum of80720.5.
Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter may be used for technical assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers in languages other than English.80721.
Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720,(a) (1) Seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) One
hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and improve water- and nutrient-holding capacity, in a manner that will increase carbon sequestration and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
(2) The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3) In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(b) (1) Sixty million dollars
($60,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures.
(2) In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that also improve soil water-holding capacity and reduce nutrient runoff, and projects located in priority groundwater basins, as designated in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(3) In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and
tribal producers.
(c) (1) Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) Eighty million dollars ($80,000,000) for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, including, but not limited to, pasture-based practices, manure composting, solids separation, prescribed grazing, and compost bedded pack barns.
(2) The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration
projects.
(3) Moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used to fund anaerobic digesters.
(4) In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(d) (1) Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices.
(2) In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall do all of the following:
(A) Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers and tribal producers.
(B) If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C) If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged
farmers and ranchers, tribal producers, and limited resource farmers or ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(e) (1) Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management.
(2) Projects eligible for a grant pursuant to this subdivision include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A) The construction of climate-controlled rooms and greenhouses,
including, but not limited to, offices, labs, and storage spaces.
(B) The purchase of equipment, including, but not limited to, vacuum and other monitoring and insect release equipment.
(C) The purchase of vehicles, including pickups, three-wheelers, and drones for transporting, monitoring, and releasing beneficial organisms.
(D) The purchase of electronic equipment for computing, communications, telecomputing, and community education.
(E) The purchase of monitoring equipment, and data collection and mapping software, to monitor and map the habitats of pollinators and beneficial pest predators that provide critical ecosystem services.
(3) In awarding grants pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that provide biological control tools for specific crop and pest problems of the region in which the insectary is located.
(4) Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f) Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts.
80722.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, one hundred forty million dollars ($140,000,000) shall be available to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multibenefit flood plain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code). Eligible projects shall provide for flood plain expansion and habitat restoration, resulting in flood risk reduction and groundwater recharge. If a project includes a groundwater subbasin that includes users on tribal land, the implementing entity shall notify the relevant tribal governments, using existing communication or consultation policies if applicable.(b) Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80723.
Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects, including activities such as restoration of nearby habitat.80724.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species.(b) Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and
monitoring.
80725.
Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720,(a) (1) One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies for the protection and enhancement
of agricultural lands, including the acquisition of fee title or agricultural conservation easements on agricultural lands, in order to improve climate resilience, pollinator habitat, California native biodiversity, flood protection, or groundwater recharge.
(2) Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b) (1) One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers. The Department of Conservation may award grants to land trusts or other qualified nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, or tribal entities
for the purpose of acquiring agricultural lands for sale to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers, which shall be conditioned upon the sale occurring within three years of the acquisition. Any land acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to an agricultural conservation easement before its sale.
(2) Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Conservation shall do all of the following:
(A) Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers and tribal producers.
(B) If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C) If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, tribal producers, and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(c)(1)Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the
state’s renewable energy goals.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(d)
(c) (1) Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) Three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000) to support the implementation of
the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code) through grants to groundwater sustainability agencies, counties, local agencies designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county, and nongovernmental organizations designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county for implementation of projects supporting reduced use of groundwater and multibenefit land repurposing at the basin scale.
(2) Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(e)
(d) (1) Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to resource conservation districts pursuant to Section 617 and tribal resource conservation districts to implement projects that restore or enhance riparian corridors on agricultural lands.
(2) Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80726.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Agriculture for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure, including, but not limited to, nurseries, seed banks, and other related plant and seed propagation and distribution facilities, and to support the growing demand for riparian restoration, afforestation, habitat improvements, native plant and grass establishment, shrub and woody planting, and other agroecosystem improvements on natural and working lands.(b) Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach,
training, research, development, and monitoring.
80727.
Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:(a) (1) Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to upgrade irrigation-district level water delivery systems to conserve water and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, including through the installation of pressurized pipes, real-time flow meters at farm gates, and on-demand water delivery software. If a project includes infrastructure that will be built on tribal land, the implementing entity shall notify the relevant tribal
governments, using existing communication or consultation policies if applicable.
(2) Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b) (1) Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, limited resource farmers or ranchers, and tribal producers to implement practices supporting reduced use of groundwater in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(2) Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may
be used for technical assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers in languages other than English.
80728.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the state’s renewable energy goals.(b) Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
CHAPTER 3. Protecting the Health and Well-Being of California’s Farmworkers
80730.
The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.80731.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, four hundred fifty million dollars ($450,000,000) shall be available to the(b)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grant moneys pursuant to this section for a project only if the project meets all of the following requirements:
(1)The project includes transit and transportation options, including, but not limited to, electric vehicle charging stations, shuttles to public transit or bus services, bus shelters, and benches.
(2)The project is located within two miles of essential services, such as grocery stores, schools, and public libraries.
(3)The project will include the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
(4)The project includes adequate cooling.
(5)The project does not involve financing or other agreements with terms that would result in residency restrictions based on immigration status.
(c)The Strategic Growth
Council shall develop guidelines for the awarding of grants pursuant to this section, and shall do both of the following:
(1)In developing the guidelines, hold public meetings in at least three rural communities, including, but not limited to, meetings in the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and the Inland Empire. The Strategic Growth Council shall notify all tribal governments within 100 miles of the meeting location at least 60 days in advance.
(2)Develop the guidelines in a manner that prioritizes awarding grants for projects in areas with the highest amount of farmworker housing need.
(d)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grants pursuant to this section only to any of the following eligible
recipients:
(1)Developers.
(2)Nonprofit organizations.
(3)Public agencies.
(4)Tribal governments.
(e)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall not be used for the construction of single-gender dormitories or other single-gender housing projects.
(f)The Strategic Growth Council may award additional grant moneys to an otherwise eligible affordable farmworker housing project to cover all or a portion of the costs associated with the construction of any of the following facilities if the facilities would both primarily
serve the residents of the farmworker housing and be located in, or adjacent to, the farmworker housing:
(1)Food hubs.
(2)Community centers.
(3)Food stores.
(4)Health care clinics.
(5)Childcare centers.
(b) The Department of Housing and Community Development shall offer capitalized operating subsidy reserves for housing units in developments receiving funds pursuant to this section.
80732.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing.(b) Except as specified in subdivision (d), a project shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section only if it meets both of the following requirements:
(1) The project provides a diversity of energy
efficiency, water efficiency, heating, and cooling upgrades for farmworker housing, including, but not limited to, rooftop solar, solar-powered water heaters, home weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, portable or centralized heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems, heat pump installation, or energy-efficient windows.
(2) The project provides improved indoor air quality measures through the installation of air purifiers or other indoor air quality measures.
(c) All outreach and application materials used for the administration of grants pursuant to this section shall be translated into any non-English language spoken by a substantial number of community members served by a grant awarded pursuant to this section.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the Department of Community Services and Development may award grants pursuant to this section for community greening projects that reduce the heat island effect, including, but not limited to, community gardens, tree plantings, parks, or bioswales located in, or adjacent to, farmworker housing.
80733.
(a) Of the moneys made available by Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 face masks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks.(b) In distributing personal protection equipment stockpiled pursuant to this section, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall prioritize distributing that equipment through farmworker resource centers established pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with
Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and community-based nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(c) Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used by nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
80734.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources, including, but not limited to, for projects that include septic tank upgrades or consolidation of septic systems to address water quality contamination and public health threats in farmworker communities and projects that promote resilience and adaptation of small community wastewater treatment facilities at risk from sea level rise or saltwater intrusion, with preference for projects that provide wastewater recharge recycling.(b) The State Water Resources Control Board shall award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, technical assistance providers, and tribal governments.
80735.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and drinking water infrastructure for farmworkers.(b) Moneys made available pursuant to this section shall be allocated for only the following purposes:
(1) The establishment of mobile farmworker resource centers, which shall be prioritized in areas where no state
grant has been previously awarded for that purpose.
(2) Funding the deployment of infrastructure and equipment to provide safe, cool drinking water to farmworkers on job sites.
(c) Entities eligible to receive grants to establish farmworker resource centers include, but are not limited to, cities, counties, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(d) Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for design, planning, staff, services, and programs provided through farmworker resource centers, including, but not limited to, the services specified in Section 12712 of the Government Code.
CHAPTER 4. Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security
80740.
(a) The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.(b) To the maximum extent feasible, purchases made using moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter shall be made from certified organic producers or producers in a three-year organic transition period.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter facilitate the production of, access to, the preparation of, and the distribution of certified organic or otherwise sustainably grown and harvested and culturally relevant fruits and vegetables, grains,
and legumes, and dairy, meat, and seafood sustainably produced or harvested locally or regionally.
80741.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred twenty million dollars ($320,000,000) shall be available to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers established pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 33380) of Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs, including, but not limited to, any of the following purposes:(1) New construction or renovation of kitchen facilities, including central kitchens and associated warehouses, processing and storage facilities, and delivery and loading dock areas.
(2) New construction or renovation of meal preparation areas, meal service areas, or areas used for dining and drinking water access.
(3) Facility assessments and architectural and engineering services.
(4) Purchase of major equipment, including, but not limited to, refrigeration and freezer systems, dishwashers, convection ovens, steam tables, point-of-service systems, delivery vehicles, and refrigerated trucks.
(5) Payment of local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process.
(6) Technical assistance programs pursuant to subdivision (e).
(b) To the greatest extent possible, projects funded pursuant to this section shall be designed to further at least one of the following purposes:
(1) Increase student participation in school meal programs.
(2) Increase access to nutritious, organically or sustainably produced, minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared foods.
(3) Increase school food authority procurement from local producers, socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(c) Kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure improvements funded pursuant to this section may be designed to do either or both of the following:
(1) To be used by multiple local educational agencies.
(2) When not in use by the local educational agency that owns the infrastructure, to be used by any of the following entities or for any of the following purposes:
(A) Food banks.
(B) Nonprofit medically tailored meal
providers.
(C) Adult daycare centers.
(D) Childcare providers.
(E) Operators of summer and after school federal- and state-funded nutrition programs.
(F) Small-scale food businesses.
(G) Workforce development programs.
(H) Community education programs.
(I) Senior nutrition providers.
(J) Homeless shelters.
(K) Faith-based organizations.
(L) The University of California Cooperative Extension.
(M) CalFresh healthy living nutrition education programs.
(N) 4-H programs.
(O) Food distribution programs serving tribes.
(d) (1) At least 75 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 50 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(2) At least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least
80 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(e) Technical assistance programs funded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, supporting the efforts of administrators and staff of school nutrition programs to do any of the following:
(1) Increase student access and participation in school nutrition programs.
(2) Procure, prepare, and serve culturally relevant and traditional Native American foods.
(3) Increase student fruit and vegetable consumption.
(4) Expand procurement of farm-direct California-grown organic produce, including through the
Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.
(5) Expand the use of minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared food and preparation techniques, including development of culinary skills by food service staff.
(6) Overseeing the planning, architectural design, and construction oversight processes.
(7) Increase language accessibility.
(f) The Department of General Services may provide up to 50 percent of moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
80742.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans.(b) Moneys allocated pursuant to this section may only be used to support the capacity enhancement and disaster resilience needs of the emergency food delivery system, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
(1) Capital investments needed to support the collection, storage, preparation, and distribution of foods produced within California to help support local and regional producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers, emphasizing local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, sustainably produced, nutritious, unique to their geographic areas, and meet the needs of food insecure populations.
(2) The provision of food that is culturally relevant to program participants, including traditional Native American foods.
(c) In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize projects that procure from small- to mid-sized farms, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, farmers or ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, tribal communities, or producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(d) The State Department of Social Services shall establish an application process for allocating moneys pursuant to this section, which shall not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services.
(e) In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize applicants that serve Medi-Cal eligible and uninsured populations and substantially integrate racial equity into the design and implementation of their proposed use of those moneys.
(f) In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services may do one or both of the following:
(1) Provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by the recipient.
(2) Authorize at least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section to be used for personnel or other operational expenses.
80743.
(a) Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred sixty million dollars ($360,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community.(b) The Department of Food and Agriculture, in coordination with the State Department of Public Health, the California Department of Aging,
the State Department of Social Services, and other agencies, shall competitively award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, county, city, or tribal governments, tribal organizations, tribal entities, farmers, ranchers, or agricultural cooperatives.
(c) In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects for which a one-time infusion of state dollars will help the project become self-sustaining.
(d) Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall be allocated as follows:
(1) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to develop year-round infrastructure for certified farmers’ markets, as defined in Section 47004 of the Food and
Agricultural Code, fishermen’s markets, as defined in Section 113780 of the Health and Safety Code, or tribe-operated or native-serving farmers’ markets, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A) All-weather infrastructure such as canopies and shade structures, tables and seating, market stalls, restrooms and hand wash stations, tent weights and tie-downs, produce washing stations, barricades and bollards for traffic management and pedestrian safety, bicycle parking racks, and other equipment.
(B) Facilities for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and other nutrition education.
(C) Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for market managers and producers to process CalFresh transactions.
(D) Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for producers to accept the electronic cash value benefit through the program designed to implement the federal WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-314) pursuant to Section 123279 of the Health and Safety Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(E) Other equipment to support the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, as described in Section 3007 of Title 7 of the United States Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(2) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community-supported agriculture programs, as defined in Section 47060 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including, but not limited to, expenditures for either of
the following purposes:
(A) Facilities and supplies for storing, packing, processing, or establishing a main pickup point for produce.
(B) Delivery vehicles for transporting food products directly to residents in disadvantaged communities.
(3) Seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) to advance tribes’ food sovereignty to grow, produce, procure, and distribute foods that reflect Native American culture and traditions and support the development of tribal producers and vendors.
(4) (A) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community or school food gardens, including community food producers as defined in Section 113752 of the
Health and Safety Code, city and suburban agriculture using backyard, rooftop, or balcony gardening, indoor gardening, community gardening in vacant lots and parks, roadside urban fringe agriculture, and livestock grazing in open space, including for any of the following purposes:
(i) Lumber, irrigation systems, electrification projects, tool sheds, greenhouses, fencing, onsite refrigeration for food storage, and vehicles.
(ii) Equipment for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and agricultural education.
(iii) Other community food garden equipment and supplies, which may include soil testing kits, soil amendments, raised beds, and drip irrigation systems.
(iv) Construction of community food gardens at multiunit housing facilities, vacant lots, places of worship, tribal communities, hospitals, and schools.
(v) Purchase of land, prioritizing ownership by community, accredited land trusts, and tribal governments.
(vi) Construction of developments that combine housing and necessary amenities with farms or community gardens and benefit residents of vulnerable populations or residents located in disadvantaged communities.
(vii) Construction of urban-edge agriculture parks to be leased as multiple small farms for organic or sustainable farming to produce food.
(viii) Local building, permitting, or
planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process to create or expand a community food garden.
(ix) Projects that teach youth about careers in agriculture,
emphasizing community gardening, horticulture, and education through outdoor, rooftop, and other gardening facilities to empower children and youth to grow their own food.
(B) At least 60 percent of the grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall benefit disadvantaged communities.
(C) A project funded pursuant to this paragraph shall not be required to have a minimum acreage or minimum amount of production income.
(5) (A) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for use in disadvantaged communities and areas without easy access to supermarkets or grocery stores to create or expand mobile produce markets, mobile farmers’ markets, mobile food carts for selling produce, and
mobile food pantries for distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, including for any of the following purposes:
(i) The purchase or lease of a bus, truck, van, cart, or other vehicle with space to display produce.
(ii) Retrofitting a vehicle or refrigeration and food safety infrastructure.
(iii) Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for mobile produce markets and mobile farmers’ markets to process CalFresh and comparable tribal program transactions.
(iv) Mobile technology applications or digital tools for communicating the availability of foods.
(B) Grant moneys awarded pursuant
to this paragraph for the lease or purchase of vehicles shall prioritize fuel-efficient or
zero-emission vehicles and necessary charging stations.
(6) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to create or expand healthy food access outlets, including to provide infrastructure investments for healthy food access outlets, including food retail, food service, and grocery or meal dropoff facilities, in affordable housing developments or through home delivery, including, but not limited to, any of the following expansions of community or tribal-owned healthy food access outlets:
(A) The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program created pursuant to Section 49015 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including refrigeration units provided to convenience stores, corner stores, food service facilities, grocery stores located in rural communities or on Indian reservations, and
for use in mobile produce markets.
(B) Refrigeration units in community fridges run through mutual aid projects.
(7) (A) Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) for newly constructed or renovated community teaching kitchens that teach community members experiencing food insecurity how to plan, prepare, and cook using local, sustainable, and culturally relevant ingredients, emphasizing human health and well-being.
(B) Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to purchase major equipment, including all of the following:
(i) Refrigeration and freezer systems.
(ii) Dishwashers.
(iii) Baking equipment.
(iv) Ranges and convection ovens.
(v) Tables and furniture.
(vi) Other cooking equipment, supplies, and utensils.
(C) Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may also be used for both of the following purposes:
(i) Permits and inspection fees required by local governments and tribal agencies.
(ii) Video equipment used to make teaching kitchen classes available via videoconferencing, recordings, and other means.
(D) Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to develop training programs for beginning food makers, food entrepreneurs, and farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers developing value-added products for the purpose of bringing jobs to their communities.
(8) (A) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to expand Food is Medicine programs administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, in collaboration with the California Department of Aging and the federal Indian Health Service.
(B) Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall prioritize infrastructure for the production and distribution of medically tailored meals pursuant to the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot
Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or equivalent tribal programs, and to support produce prescriptions, food pharmacies, and other appropriate nutrition services that address medical needs, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) Production scale commercial kitchens, including facilities and equipment.
(ii) Refrigeration and freezer capacity.
(iii) Refrigerated vehicles or trailers.
(iv) Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and food pharmacies.
(C) For
purposes of this paragraph, “Food is Medicine programs” are programs prescribed by health care professionals that are designed to meet the dietary and health needs of vulnerable people with chronic and acute illnesses through the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or equivalent tribal programs.
(e) The Department of Food and Agriculture may provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
(f) Technical assistance and workforce development moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be allocated for training to support the procurement of California-produced organic food, improving language accessibility, and
implementation of the Local, Equitable Access to Food (LEAF) Program (Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 49020)) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
80744.
(a) Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs under the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act (Division 8.5 (commencing with Section 9000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or equivalent tribal programs.(b) In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the California Department of Aging shall prioritize purchasing, upgrading, or refurbishing infrastructure for the production and distribution of congregate or home-delivered meals, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Production-scale commercial kitchens.
(2) Warming, refrigeration, or freezer capacity.
(3) Refrigerated vehicles.
(4) Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of meals.
(5) Technological or data system infrastructure for monitoring client health outcomes.
(6) Food from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(7) Expanding infrastructure to support farm-to-seniors programs that improve older adults’ access to California grown and produced food, focusing on local organic produce, local meat, poultry, and dairy products, and culturally relevant traditional foods.
CHAPTER 5. Strengthening Regional Food Economies
80750.
The sum of nine hundred fifteen million dollars ($915,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.80751.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, four hundred seventy million dollars ($470,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy, including for any of the following purposes:(1) To develop or upgrade aggregation, primary processing, cooling, and storage facilities for farm and fiber products, with a focus on regions that have insufficient capacity to meet the needs of farmers, ranchers, and
tribal producers.
(2) To develop or upgrade processing facilities and supply chain infrastructure in urban and rural areas, including those that could increase capacity when needed to support emergency food storage and distribution.
(3) To support the development of value-added processing of agricultural products that increase income and market opportunities for farmers and ranchers, including upgrades to producer or handler facilities to comply with organic certification requirements.
(4) To develop or upgrade facilities that support the development and growth of new food and fiber businesses, including commercial or community kitchens and food and fiber processing, cooling, storage, and distribution facilities.
(b) In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize all of the following:
(1) Projects that provide culturally relevant food access.
(2) Projects that support job creation, training, and placement.
(3) Projects, such as food hubs and marketing cooperatives, that meet the supply chain and marketing needs of locally and regionally produced food and fiber products.
(4) Projects, including agriculture centers and food hubs, that incorporate support for producers during public safety power shutoffs and disasters, including backup energy supply for recharging
battery powered equipment, temporary housing of evacuated livestock, and food preservation equipment or cold storage.
(5) Projects that have been included or identified as needed in producer or community-guided regional food system planning processes implemented with local public and philanthropic moneys or local, state, or federal moneys.
(c) The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to farmers, ranchers, nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal governments, and businesses, including cooperatives.
80752.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.(b) The State Coastal Conservancy shall award grants pursuant to this section only to public entities, nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments, that provide fishing facilities and related infrastructure to the commercial fishing industry.
(c) For
purposes of this section, “fishing facilities and related infrastructure” include, but are not limited to, fish handling and processing infrastructure and facilities, such as public hoists, ice machines, gear storage, refrigeration, freezers, and other processing facilities, and canneries.
80753.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity, including for any of the following purposes:(1) To build, expand, or upgrade meat processing infrastructure for slaughter, cut and wrap, and value-added processing.
(2) To develop mobile meat processing facilities that meet federal inspection and certification guidelines and can serve multiple meat producers.
(3) To upgrade inspection protocols and data and communication hardware commensurate with a robust meat inspection service to enable interstate and intrastate sales of meat and poultry from state inspected plants.
(4) To reimburse all or a portion of the costs associated with meeting federal inspection and certification requirements.
(b) The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only for the development of new or currently operating meat processing businesses, including tribal meat processing businesses, that have fewer than 150 employees.
(c) In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and
Agriculture shall prioritize disadvantaged communities and tribal nations.
80754.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, one hundred ten million dollars ($110,000,000) shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.(b) Allocations received by a food processor pursuant to this section shall be used to demonstrate the food processor’s reliability and effectiveness.
(c) In allocating moneys pursuant to subdivision (a), the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize food processors that primarily serve local and regional in-state markets.
(d) Up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) may be used to provide technical assistance, including program outreach, to potential applicants for project development, completing applications, and project implementation. Of these moneys allocated for technical assistance, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize supporting small-scale food processors supplying local and regional in-state markets.
80755.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.(b) Nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies shall be eligible to be awarded a grant pursuant to this section.
(c) (1) A project eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A) Primarily serve a disadvantaged community.
(B) Provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C) Maximize environmental, public health, and economic cobenefits to nearby disadvantaged communities.
(D) Include an advisory group or body that consists of community members from disadvantaged communities and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers involved with, or with knowledge of, sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, or indigenous land stewardship and agricultural practices.
(2) Projects eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited
to, projects that purchase land or build infrastructure to develop regional farmer training sites to enable socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and farmworkers entering farm management to share agricultural and ecological knowledge.
(d) In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize training sites in disadvantaged communities, and award the majority of the grant moneys to projects that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities or provide farm management and business training to farmworkers to develop new farm operations.
80756.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the Department of(b) The purposes for which grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be used include, but are not limited to, both of the following:
(1) Grants to develop and expand equipment sharing, including to do either of the following:
(A) Purchase tools, equipment, and infrastructure to support conservation practices, including, but not limited to, soil health practices, water conservation, and wildfire resilience.
(B) Purchase equipment and infrastructure to enhance regional food systems and cooperative resources for small and underserved farmers.
(2) Technical assistance to support cooperative
development, training on and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c) Infrastructure eligible to be purchased using grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section includes, but is not limited to, roller crimpers, seed drills, wood chippers, compost spreaders, tractor trailers, processing equipment, and no-till drills.
(d) Entities eligible to be awarded a grant, or otherwise supported, pursuant to this section include resource conservation districts, tribal conservation districts, University of California Cooperative Extensions, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving small and underserved farmers.
(e) Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section, the Department of Conservation Food and Agriculture shall do all of the following:
(1)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(2)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraph (1), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(3)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(1) Provide grants for projects that
primarily benefit socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(2) If there are moneys available after providing grants pursuant to paragraph (1), provide grants for projects that primarily benefit limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(3) If there are moneys available after providing grants pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), provide grants to eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
80757.
(a) Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.(b) To support immediate infrastructure deployments to create jobs and promote economic recovery, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery shall award grants or make performance payments for compost infrastructure, including compost spreaders for farms to apply compost, and food recovery projects at existing and new community composting facilities, onfarm composting facilities, and commercial composting facilities to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and nitrous oxide emissions and to support sequestration of carbon in the state’s agricultural and urban soils.
CHAPTER 6. Fiscal Provisions
80770.
(a) Bonds in the total amount of(b) The Treasurer shall issue and sell the bonds authorized in subdivision (a) in the amount determined by the committee to be necessary or desirable pursuant to Section 80773. The bonds shall be issued and sold upon the terms and conditions specified in a resolution to be adopted by the committee pursuant to Section 16731 of the Government Code.
80771.
(a) The bonds authorized by this division shall be prepared, executed, issued, sold, paid, and redeemed as provided in the State General Obligation Bond Law, and all of the provisions of that law apply to the bonds and to this division and are hereby incorporated in this division as though set forth in full in this division, except that subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 16727 of the Government Code shall not apply.(b) For purposes of this division, the references to “committee” in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created in Section 80772,
and the references to “board” in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
80772.
(a) Solely for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and sale pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law of the bonds authorized by this division, the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee is hereby created.(b) The committee consists of the Controller, the Treasurer, and the Director of Finance. Notwithstanding any other law, any member may designate a representative to act as that member in the member’s place for all purposes, as though the member were personally present.
(c) The Treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the
committee. A majority of the committee may act for the committee.
80773.
The committee shall determine by resolution if it is necessary or desirable to issue and sell bonds authorized pursuant to this division in order to carry out the actions specified in this division and, if so, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold. Successive issues of bonds may be authorized and sold to carry out those actions progressively, and it is not necessary that all of the bonds authorized to be issued be sold at any one time.80774.
There shall be collected each year and in the same manner and at the same time as other state revenue is collected, in addition to the ordinary revenues of the state, a sum in an amount required to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds becoming due each year. It is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in regard to the collection of the revenue to do and perform each and every act that is necessary to collect that additional sum.80775.
Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, there is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund in the State Treasury, for the purposes of this division and without regard to fiscal years, an amount that equals the total of the following:(a) The sum annually necessary to pay the principal of, and interest on, bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division, as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b) The sum necessary to carry out Section 80777.
80776.
The board may request the Pooled Money Investment Board to make a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account, in accordance with Section 16312 of the Government Code, for the purpose of carrying out this division less any amount withdrawn pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that the committee has, by resolution, authorized to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to this section and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The board shall execute any documents required by the Pooled Money Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan. Any amounts loaned shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division.80777.
For the purposes of carrying out this division, the Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General Fund of an amount not to exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that have been authorized by the committee to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to Section 80776 and not yet repaid, and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to this section and not yet returned to the General Fund. Any amounts withdrawn shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division. Any moneys made available under this section shall be returned to the General Fund from proceeds received from the sale of bonds for the purpose of carrying out this division.80778.
All moneys deposited into the fund that are derived from premium and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be reserved in the fund and shall be available for transfer to the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest, except those amounts derived from premium may be reserved and used to pay the cost of bond issuance before any transfer to the General Fund.80779.
The bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division may be refunded in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section 16780) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code, which is a part of the State General Obligation Bond Law. Approval by the voters of the state for the issuance of the bonds described in this division includes the approval of the issuance of any bonds issued to refund any bonds originally issued under this division or any previously issued refunding bonds. Any bond refunded with the proceeds of refunding bonds as authorized by this section may be legally defeased to the extent permitted by law in the manner and to the extent set forth in the resolution, as amended from time to time, authorizing that refunded bond.80780.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, or of the State General Obligation Bond Law, if the Treasurer sells bonds pursuant to this division that include a bond counsel opinion to the effect that the interest on the bonds is excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes under designated conditions or is otherwise entitled to any federal tax advantage, the Treasurer may maintain separate accounts for the investment of bond proceeds and for the investment of earnings on those proceeds. The Treasurer may use or direct the use of those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate, penalty, or other payment required under federal law or take any other action with respect to the investment and use of those bond proceeds or earnings required or desirable under federal law to maintain the tax-exempt status of those bonds and to obtain any other advantage under federal law on behalf of the funds of this state.80781.
The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this division are not “proceeds of taxes” as that term is used in Article XIII B of the California Constitution, and the disbursement of these proceeds is not subject to the limitations imposed by that article.SEC. 2.
The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.SEC. 3.
Section 1 of this act shall take effect upon the approval by the voters of the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, as set forth in Section 1 of this act.SEC. 4.
Section 1 of this act shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election in accordance with provisions of the Government Code and the Elections Code governing the submission of a statewide measure to the voters.SEC. 5.
This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:In order to ensure that the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 is presented to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, it is necessary for this act to take effect immediately.
