Bill Text: CA AB537 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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

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Bill Title: Farmers' markets: electronic benefit transfers.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-09-29 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 435, Statutes of 2010. [AB537 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB537-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 537	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 1, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Arambula

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2009

   An act to add Section  412   47020.5  to
the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to agriculture.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 537, as amended, Arambula. Agriculture: direct marketing:
farmers'  markets.   markets: electronic benefit
transfers. 
   Existing law authorizes the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to
adopt regulations to encourage the direct sale by farmers to the
public of all types of California agricultural products. Existing law
authorizes farmers to sell the agricultural products they produce
directly to the public at certified farmers' markets, field retail
stands, and farm stands, as provided. 
   This bill would require the secretary to increase access to
healthy food for all Californians by allowing redemption of all
nutrition program forms of payment at farmers' markets, and to invest
in sustainable models of distribution for California-grown products
to retail markets in low-income neighborhoods.  
   This bill would require every operator of a farmers' market, as a
condition of certification, to implement a system to accept
electronic benefit transfer payments by January 1, 2012. The bill
would require the Secretary, in consultation with the Certified
Farmers' Market Advisory Committee, to determine the best way to
achieve this goal and identify funding for this purpose. 
   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 47020.5 is added to the 
 Food and Agricultural Code   , to read:  
   47020.5.  Every operator of a certified farmers' market shall, by
January 1, 2012, implement a system to accept electronic benefit
transfer (EBT) payments from EBT clients. As of January 1, 2012, no
farmers' market shall be eligible for a certificate nor shall any
certificate issued before January 1, 2012, be valid if the farmers'
market does not have a system in place to accept EBT payments. 
   SEC. 2.    The Secretary of Food and Agriculture, in
consultation with the Certified Farmers' Market Advisory Committee,
shall, after one or more public workshops, with public notice, and an
opportunity for all interested parties to comment, determine the
best way to achieve universal acceptance of electronic benefit
transfers at certified farmers' markets by January 1, 2012, and
identify potential funding sources available for this purpose,
including, but not limited to, grants and zero or low interest loans.
 
  SECTION 1.    Section 412 is added to the Food and
Agricultural Code, to read:
   412.  The secretary shall increase access to healthy food for all
Californians by allowing redemption of all nutrition program forms of
payment at farmers' markets, and invest in sustainable models of
distribution for California-grown products to retail markets in
low-income neighborhoods.