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