Bill Text: CA AB571 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled

California Assembly Bill 571 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Agricultural pest control: citrus disease prevention.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2014-03-06 - Last day to consider Governor's veto pursuant to Joint Rule 58.5. [AB571 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AB571-Enrolled.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 571	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  MAY 28, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gatto

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to amend Sections 5911 and 5913 of the Food and
Agricultural Code, relating to agricultural pest control, and making
an appropriation therefor.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 571, Gatto. Agricultural pest control: citrus disease
prevention.
   Existing law creates the California Citrus Pest and Disease
Prevention Committee in the Department of Food and Agriculture to,
among other things, develop a statewide citrus specific pest and
disease work plan. Existing law provides for a monthly assessment to
be paid by producers, as defined, which are deposited in the Citrus
Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture
Fund. Moneys in the Citrus Management Account is available upon
appropriation by the Legislature for specified activities relating to
citrus disease prevention.
   The bill would appropriate $5,000,000 from the General Fund to the
Citrus Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and
Agriculture Fund, and would make those funds available for
expenditure by the department, without regard to fiscal year, for the
purpose of combating citrus disease or its vectors. The bill would
make a legislative finding and declaration relating to the need for
funds to combat citrus disease and its vectors.
   Appropriation: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 5911 of the Food and Agricultural Code is
amended to read:
   5911.  (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the
citrus killing diseases, Huanglongbing, citrus leprosis, citrus
variegated chlorosis, and citrus canker, and the associated vectors
present a clear and present danger to California's citrus industry,
as well as to other commodities and plant life.
   (b) This article is intended to establish an industry-funded
program to assist in combating citrus specific diseases, vectors, and
pests when found in California.
   (c) This article is not intended to create new mandates or
circumvent state and federal authority on citrus or other
agricultural commodities.
   (d) This article is not intended to establish a precedent, or to
supersede or supplant in any way federal, state, or local government
funding of efforts to combat citrus diseases and other pests in this
state.
   (e) The prevention and management of citrus diseases is a matter
of public interest. The provisions of this article are enacted for
the protection of the citrus industry and in the exercise of the
police power of the state for the purpose of protecting the health,
peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.
   (f) The Legislature finds and declares that the California citrus
industry creates one billion eight hundred million dollars
($1,800,000,000) in citrus fruit, another one billion two hundred
million dollars ($1,200,000,000) in economic activity, and employs an
estimated 25,000 people in the state.
   (g) The Legislature finds and declares that there is an ongoing
need for at least five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually in
research and programs to combat citrus disease and its vectors in
California.
  SEC. 2.  Section 5913 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended
to read:
   5913.  (a) There is hereby created the Citrus Disease Management
Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.
   (b) The Citrus Disease Management Account shall consist of money
from federal, industry, and other non-General Fund sources. Money
from federal, industry, and other non-General Fund sources shall be
available upon appropriation by the Legislature for the sole purpose
of combating citrus specific pests, diseases, and their vectors.
   (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the sum of five million
dollars ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to
the Citrus Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and
Agriculture Fund, and shall be available for expenditure by the
department, without regard to fiscal year, for the purpose of
combating citrus disease or its vectors.