Bill Text: CA AB1960 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Agriculture: fruits, nuts, and vegetables: California

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-06-10 - Referred to Com. on RLS. [AB1960 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB1960-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1960	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 28, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ma
    (   Principal coauthor:   Assembly Member
  Galgiani  ) 

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2010

   An act to add Article 17 (commencing with Section 43121) to
Chapter 2 of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating
to agriculture.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1960, as amended, Ma. Agriculture: fruits, nuts, and
vegetables: California Grown Act.
   Existing law provides that the terms "California grown,"
"California-grown," and similar terms with identical connotations
shall be used in the labeling or advertising of agricultural
products, and authorizes the use of those terms for marketing,
advertising, or promotional purposes, only to identify food or
agricultural products that have been produced in the state or
harvested in its surface or coastal waters.
   This bill would  require the state or any of its agencies
to purchase fruits, nuts, and vegetables that are produced in
California rather than imported fruits, nuts, and vegetables whenever
the quality is comparable to, and the price is equal to or less
than, imported fruits, nuts, and vegetables. The bill would make
certain declarations regarding the marketing of California grown
agricultural commodities   state legislative findings
regarding the marketing of California-   grown agricultural
commodities within this state. The bill would also state that all
state-owned and state-run institutions are encouraged to purchase
fruits, nuts, and vegetables that are produced, or produced and
processed, in California before those that are produced outside of
the state, as long as the price quoted for the California-produced
products does not exceed the lowest bid or price quoted for an
out-of-state produ   ct  .
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  yes
  no  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Article 17 (commencing with Section 43121) is added to
Chapter 2 of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to read:

      Article 17.  California Grown Act


   43121.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
marketing of California grown agricultural commodities within this
state is essential to ensure the continued production of adequate
supplies of food products in this state and to ensure that producers
obtain a fair return for the commodities they produce. This will, in
turn, ensure that consumers have immediate access to fresh, highly
nutritious food products that will improve their quality of life,
will reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the
transportation of agricultural commodities into California from other
states and nations, and will allow producers to maintain a proper
standard of living and contribute their fair share to the support of
necessary governmental and educational functions.
   43122.  The conditions specified in Section 43121 vitally concern
the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this
state. It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state to aid
producers in preventing economic waste associated with the inability
to market their commodities in this state and to aid producers in
restoring and maintaining their purchasing power at a more adequate,
equitable, and reasonable level.
   43123.  The marketing of California grown agricultural commodities
within this state is hereby declared to be affected with a public
interest. The provisions of this article are enacted in the exercise
of the police powers of this state for the purpose of protecting the
health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this
state. 
   43124.  The state or any of its agencies shall purchase fruits,
nuts, and vegetables that are produced in California rather than
imported fruits, nuts, and vegetables whenever the quality is
comparable to, and price is equal to or less than, imported fruits,
nuts, and vegetables.  
   43124.  All state-owned and state-run institutions are encouraged
to purchase fruits, nuts, and vegetables that are produced, or
produced and processed, in California before those that are produced
outside of the state, as long as the price quoted for the
California-produced products does not exceed the lowest bid or price
quoted for an out-of-state product.