AGRICULTURE

• AB 2114 (Bigelow) This bill provides a new exemption for a mobile slaughter operator (MSO), allows the Secretary (Secretary) of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to issue an annual exhibition permit related to cattle exhibition, and allows the Secretary to increase the service charge for brand inspections. An act to amend Sections 19020 and 21281.5 of, and to add Section 21070 to, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to livestock inspection, and making an appropriation therefor.

• AB 2377 (Irwin) This bill requires the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to establish a technical assistance grant program (TAG program) to provide funds to technical assistance providers (TAP) to work with applicants for the Healthy Soils Program (HSP), alternative manure management programs (AMMP), and the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). An act to add Section 570 to the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to agriculture.

• AB 2468 (Arambula) This bill makes changes to the laws governing the registration of the location of apiary colonies (bee hive) within the state. This bill also provides the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), or a county agricultural commissioner (CAC) the ability to seek administrative civil penalty (ACP) for violations of any of the laws governing the registration of apiary colonies within the state. An act to amend Sections 29042, 29045, 29046, 29070, 29070.5, and 29074 of, and to add Section 29313 to, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to bees.

• AB 2470 (Grayson) This bill codifies the Invasive Species Council of California (ISCC) and allows ISCC to establish the California Invasive Specifies Advisory Committee (CISAC) to assist in a comprehensive effort to suppress and eradicate invasive species in California. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the bill also establishes the Invasive Species Account (ISA) for purposes of funding invasive species projects and activities recommended by ISCC. Makes changes to the allocation of grant funds from the Noxious Weed Management Account (NWMA), as specified. This bill establishes a framework for local and state agencies and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts to suppress and eradicate diseases associated with the spread of invasive shot hole borers (SHB), as specified.

An act to amend Sections 5260 and 7271 of, and to add Part 4.5 (commencing with Section 7700) to Division 4 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to invasive species.

• AB 2791 (Muratsuchi) This bill allows newborn animals that need maternal care as well as puppies and kittens under eight weeks of age that are reasonably believed to be unowned, which have been impounded by a public or private shelter, to be eligible for release to a qualifying nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization upon request prior to being euthanized.

An act to amend Sections 17006, 31108, and 31752 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to animals.

• AB 3252 (Committee on Agriculture) This bill clarifies the exemption for private veterinarians in relation to drawing and using animal blood in their own office, repeals and updates farm animal quarantine laws, and makes changes to the Equine Medication Monitoring Program (EMMP).

An act to amend Sections 9268, 9272, 9574, 24000, 24001, 24004, 24007, 24009, 24010, 24011, and 24011.6 of, and to repeal Sections 9141, 9142, and 9162 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to animal health, and making an appropriation therefor.

• AB 3260 (Committee on Agriculture) This bill amends existing law to require the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to notice meeting information regarding the California Marketing Act (CMA) and Beef Council Law (BCL) online rather than in a newspaper and posted at CDFA’s headquarters in Sacramento. This bill also allows CDFA or a county agricultural commissioner (CAC) to impose an administrative civil penalty or suspension of certification, or both, for a violation of laws and regulations related to certified farmers’ markets (CFM), regardless of where in the state the violation took place.

An act to amend Sections 47025, 59087, 59111, and 64563 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to the Department of Food and Agriculture.

• SB 668 (McGuire) This bill makes changes to the California Commercial Feed law (CFL) by increasing penalties for violations of the CFL and updating the appeals and hearing process for persons who are fined.

An act to amend Sections 14991, 15042, 15056, 15071, 15071.5, 15075, 15091, and 15092 of, to add Sections 15071.1, 15071.3, 15071.4, and 15082 to, and to repeal Section 15081 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to commercial feed, and making an appropriation therefor.

• SB 965 (McGuire) This bill establishes the California Cattle Council within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to provide production research, producer and consumer education, and various promotional activities related to cattle in California; and provides that the council will consist of 11 members and 11 alternates appointed by the Secretary of CDFA. This bill assesses $1 per head of live cattle and calves sold to enable the council to carry out programs and administer activities.

An act to amend Section 64691.7 of, and to add and repeal Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 65001) of Part 2 of Division 22 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to food and agriculture, and making an appropriation therefor.

• SB 1039 (Pan) This bill defines “ultra-filtered milk products” and authorizes the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to establish milk standards for ultra-filtered milk products sold in California. This bill requires ultra-filtered milk products to meet all standards and requirements for market milk, except as provided, and requires ultra-filtered milk products to be labeled in accordance with applicable federal laws. This bill requires that the term “ultra-filtered” be included in the product name on the product label.

An act to add Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 35975) to Chapter 2 of Part 2 of Division 15 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to milk.

• SB 1409 (Wilk) This bill updates existing California law pertaining to the production and cultivation of industrial hemp.

An act to amend Sections 81002, 81003, 81004, 81005, and 81006 of, and to add Sections 81007 and 81011 to, the Food and Agricultural Code, and to amend Section 11018.5 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to industrial hemp, and making an appropriation therefor.