OKAY? WE WILL ADJUST ONCE WE
HAVE MORE FOLKS HERE, BUT WE'RE
GOING TO BEGIN AS A
SUBCOMMITTEE. THE SENATE
COMMITTEE ON AG WILL COME TO
ORDER. GOOD AFTERNOON FOLKS AS
WE CONTINUE TO TAKE SOME
PRECAUTIONS TO MANAGE ONGOING
COVID RISK, SAID IT CONTINUES TO
WELCOME THE PUBLIC AND HAS
PROVIDED ACCESS TO BOTH IN
PERSON. IN TELECONFERENCE
PARTICIPATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
. INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO PROVIDE
PUBLIC COMMENT BE AT THE
TELECONFERENCE SERVICE. THE
PARTICIPANT TOLL FREE NUMBER AND
ACCESS CODE OR POSTED OUR
COMMITTEE WEBSITE AND I WILL
ANNOUNCE IT. NOW AS WELL.
TODAY'S PARTICIPANT NUMBER IS
8772. IN THE ACCESS CODE IS
7937511. I WILL MAINTAIN THE
QUORUM DURING THE HEARING, AS IS
CUSTOMARY, AND THAT IS
ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WITH
SENDER. GLAZER HERE WHEN HE DOES
ARRIVE. DECORUM IS ESSENTIAL.
WOULD YOU NOT AGREE SENATOR
COVER HERE. ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO
IS DISRUPTIVE MAY BE REMOVED
FROM THE REMOTE MEETING SERVICE
OR HAVE THEIR CONNECTIONS MUTED.
WE'RE HOLDING OUR COMMITTEE
HEARINGS HERE IN THE O STREET
BUILDING. I ASK ALL MEMBERS OF
THE COMMITTEE TO BE PRESENT IN
ROOM 2200 SO WE CAN A
STABLIZATION A QUORUM AND BEGIN
OUR HEARING. SO. WE WOULD
NORMALLY START WITH OUR CONSENT.
AND. WHY DON'T WE TAKE A
BREATHER FOR A MINUTE? IN HOPES
THAT WE WILL GET A THIRD PERSON
HERE TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM.
ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE SIX BILLS ON
TODAY'S AGENDA FOR OF WHICH OR
ON CONSENT TO BE GIRLS. THE TWO
BILLS WE WILL BE HEARING TODAY
ARE A B 778 BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S
EDUARDO GARCIA IN A B 2499. BY
ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S MAIENSCHEIN.
SINCE WE ARE AWAITING A QUORUM,
WE WILL BEGIN AS A SUBCOMMITTEE
. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHY
DON'T WE FIRST BRING THAT'S
MAGICAL NEWS. HEAR SOMEBODY
COMING. US SENATOR EGGMAN.
ALRIGHT WITH THAT BEING SAID,
SHALL WE, MADAM CLERK? IF YOU
COULD PLEASE CALL THE ROLL TO
ESTABLISH A QUORUM. SENATORS
FOUR GIS PRESIDENT GORGEOUS
PRESENT HER TATO CABALLERO
CABALLERO PRESENT EGGMAN EGGMAN
HERE, LASER. OKAY? AS WAS
MENTIONED EARLIER. WE ARE GOING
TO START WITH A B 778 BY
ASSEMBLY MEMBER GARCIA. THANK
YOU ANY, UM, ANY AMENDMENTS THAT
WERE PROPOSED? DON'T BELIEVE SO
THEY WERE ALL DONE IN THE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE THAT THAT IS
CORRECT. OKAY GOOD SUGGESTIONS
WERE MADE FOR MAYBE DOWN DOWN
THE ROAD. BUT NOT NOT FOR THIS
COMMITTEE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION. A B 778 WOULD REQUIRE
STATE INSTITUTIONS EXCLUDING
SCHOOLS. THEY PURCHASED
AGRICULTURAL FOOD PRODUCTS TO
IMPLEMENT NECESSARY PRACTICES.
THEY WILL RESULT IN THOSE STATE
OWNED OR STATE RUN INSTITUTIONS
, PURCHASING AT LEAST 60% OF
AGRICULTURAL FOOD PRODUCTS GROWN
OR PRODUCED IN THE STATE. BY
DECEMBER, 31ST 2025. PROUD TO
SAY THIS IS RECEIVED BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT. THE BILL ALSO ENJOYS
SUPPORT FROM EVERY COUNTY FARM
BUREAU AND EVERY CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE IN THE INLAND EMPIRE.
RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR I VOTE. DO
YOU HAVE A PRINCIPLE WE DO? HIS
NAME IS GEORGE TUTOR TO THE
RANCH. COACHELLA VALLEY FARMER.
HE SHOULD BE ALL RIGHT. UM
OPERATOR, DO WE HAVE A MISTER
TUTOR ON THE TELECONFERENCE? YES
HIS LINE IS OPEN. ALL RIGHT,
MISTER TUTOR. IF YOU CAN HEAR
US, PLEASE BEGIN. THANK YOU FOR
JOINING US. YES, I CAN HEAR YOU.
CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? YES, SIR.
ALRIGHT WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON, MR CHAIR AND
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY
NAME IS GEORGE TUTOR WITH TUTOR
RANCH, LOCATED IN THE COACHELLA
VALLEY, AS MENTIONED BY SALAMON
GARCIA. WE FARM TABLE GRAPES,
DATES AND LEMONS AND EMPLOYER
700 PEOPLE AT OUR PEOPLE. I'M
HERE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF
A B 778. MR CHAIR. THE
LEGISLATURE HAS MADE IMPORTANT
POLICY DECISIONS OVER THE YEARS
TO ENSURE CALIFORNIA IS A
WORLDWIDE LEADER AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION, FOOD, HEALTH AND
SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
, WORKING CONDITIONS AND WAGES
AND BENNETT. CALIFORNIA
BUSINESSES. INCLUDING
AGRICULTURE, OF COURSE. MULTIPLY
MUST COMPLY WITH THESE LAWS AND
REGULATIONS AS PART OF OUR
BUSINESS OPERATION. HOWEVER. THE
PROTECTIVE STANDARDS HAVE BEEN
DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS ONLY
APPLY TO CALIFORNIA GROWERS.
EVEN THOUGH IT SUBSTANTIAL
PORTION OF AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
DISTRIBUTED AND SOLD IN
CALIFORNIA ARE IMPORTED FROM
OTHER STATES AND COUNTRIES. THIS
CREATES AN UNLEVEL PLAYING FIELD
SIGNIFICANTLY DISADVANTAGES
CALIFORNIA FARMERS AND
PRODUCERS. CREATING UNFAIR
DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO
COMMODITY MARKET FOR CALIFORNIA.
IN ST GROWERS. AT THE SAME TIME
. CALIFORNIA'S OWN STATE
AGENCIES, INCLUDING PRISON,
STATE HOSPITALS, AND PARKS
AREN'T BOUND BY STRONG BID
PREFERENCES TO ENSURE
PROCUREMENT, CALIFORNIA GROWN
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT. SO WE SET
UP A SYSTEM WHERE STANDARDS ARE
HIGH IN THE STATE. THE
CALIFORNIA'S OWN GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES ARE ABLE TO PROCURE
FROM STATES AND COUNTRIES
WITHOUT THE SAME LEVEL OF
STANDARDS AND POLICIES. WHICH
UNDERCUTS CALIFORNIA'S
AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, WHICH
LEADS TO A LOSS OF CALIFORNIA
JOB. AMONGST OTHER NEGATIVE. WE
REALLY APPRECIATE THIS. THE
LEADERSHIP OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S
GARCIA MATHESON REVIS AND
ADVANCING 87 78 TO HELP ENSURE
THAT PROCUREMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS FOR STATE RUN
INSTITUTIONS PRIORITIZES THE
PURCHASE OF CALIFORNIA GROWN
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OVER
IMPORTS FROM OTHER STATES AND
COUNTRIES. CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMY
BENEFITS WHEN STATE INSTITUTIONS
DIRECT THEIR PURCHASING POWER
AND PRIORITIES TOWARDS
CALIFORNIA GROWN PRODUCTS, AND
GROWERS AND PRODUCERS REINVEST
THAT INCOME BACK INTO THE
ECONOMY AND THEIR LOCAL
COMMUNITY. FOR ALL OF THOSE
REASONS. WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST
YOUR IVY VOTE ON A B 778.
ALRIGHT THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.
TUTOR BRING IT BACK TO ROOM 2200
, ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC
WISHING TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR A
B 778 PLEASE APPROACH THE
SCREEN. SEEING NONE MOVING TO
THE TELECONFERENCE OPERATOR. ANY
FOLKS ON THE LINE WISHING TO
EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR A B 778?
THANK YOU IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK
IN SUPPORT OF A B 778 PLEASE
PRESS 10 AT THIS TIME. I DO HAVE
ONE LINE IN QUÊ. IT'LL JUST BE
ONE MOMENT FOR THAT LINE NUMBER.
QUÊ DUKE. WE HAVE A COUPLE AND
YOU KNOW, LINE EIGHT. PLEASE GO
AHEAD. YES GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM
GENERAL C FROM GROWING
COACHELLA VALLEY AND I EMPLOYED
THIS SPORT OF ABC. 778 THANK YOU
. THANK YOU, MODERATOR. ANYBODY
ELSE? SHOWING UP IN THE QUEUE.
THANK YOU LINE. 12. PLEASE GO
AHEAD. GOOD AFTERNOON, CODY
BOILS ON BEHALF OF CALIFORNIA.
CITRUS MUTUAL, CALIFORNIA APPLE
COMMISSION, CALIFORNIA BLUEBERRY
COMMISSION IN CALIFORNIA FRESH
FRUIT ASSOCIATION AND SUPPORT
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I HAVE NO
FURTHER COMMENTS IN. Q ALL RIGHT
. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY LEAD
OPPOSITION? MY RECORDS INDICATE
NO. ALL RIGHT. FOLLOW THE SAME
PROTOCOL ROOM 2200 ANY
INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO EXPRESS
OPPOSITION TO A B 778 PLEASE
APPROACH THE SCREEN. SEEING NON
MODERATOR. LET'S OPEN THE LINES
. ANYBODY IN THE QUEUE WISHING
TO EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO 778.
THANK YOU IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK
IN OPPOSITION TO ABC 778 PLEASE
PRESS 10 AT THIS TIME. I HAVE NO
COMMENTS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT,
BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS. UM
WANTED TO LEAD OFF HERE. I HAD
AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UH TO CHAT
AND ENGAGE AT LENGTH WITH THE
AUTHOR. UH, WHEN WE WERE IN
EARLIER COMMITTEE AND THERE WERE
TWO POINTS THAT I THOUGHT WERE
WORTH MENTIONING. ONE WAS TO
ESTABLISH FOR CONSTITUTIONAL
GROUNDS WITH THE COMPELLING
CALIFORNIA INTEREST WOULD BE TO
HAVE SUCH A ROBUST PROCUREMENT,
UM, MANDATE. AND THE SECOND WAS
THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THERE BE
A PRICE DIFFERENTIAL SUCH THAT.
AH INSTITUTIONS WHEN THEY ARE
PURCHASING ITEMS COULD BE EXEMPT
FROM THE MANDATE IF THE PRICING
FROM FOREIGN OR OUT OF STATE
PRODUCERS WAS DRAMATICALLY
DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS AVAILABLE
HERE IN CALIFORNIA. BUT THE
AMENDMENTS IN THE PREVIOUS
COMMITTEE, UM SAID THAT THE
INSTITUTIONS ARE ONLY REQUIRED
TO PURCHASE A RATE OF 60. AND
THERE'S MEANS BY WHICH THOSE
INSTITUTIONS CAN EXPLAIN WHY
THEY'RE NOT COMPLYING OR
INCAPABLE OF MEETING AT 60%
REQUIREMENT THAT YOUR
UNDERSTANDING AS WELL, THAT'S
CORRECT. THEY ARE TARGETS THAT
WE ARE AMBITIOUS TARGETS AS WE
HERE IN CALIFORNIA LIKE TO SET,
UM THAT WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL
BE MET. BUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT
MANDATED. I THINK WE ARE ABLE TO
ADDRESS QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
THAT YOU RAISED IN PRIOR
COMMITTEE. YES, AND BECAUSE OF
THOSE, UM THERE IS THOSE TWO
CONCERNS ARE ESSENTIALLY MOOT.
UM, SO IT'S CERTAINLY NOT BE
PUSHING THOSE THROUGH THIS
COMMITTEE. UM AND I'LL BE
SUPPORTIVE OF THIS OF THIS BILL
COLLEAGUES. ANY THOUGHTS OR
COMMENTS, SENATOR CABALLERO. I
WANT TO THANK THE
ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S FOR THIS BILL.
I THINK IT'S A IT'S A REAL
IMPORTANT COMMITMENT TO
CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE MUCH
NEEDED. I HAVE A COMPANION BILL
THAT WOULD REQUIRE UM, IT'S OVER
IN THE ASSEMBLY RIGHT NOW
ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND
I ENLIST YOUR HELP IN CONVINCING
THE CHAIR THAT IT'S A GOOD THING
TO HAVE OUR EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS, UM, PURCHASING
CALIFORNIA PROJECT PRODUCTS AS
LONG AS IT'S WITHIN 25% OF THE
FOREIGN PRODUCT. UM WHAT WE
FOUND. IS THAT SIGNIFICANT WELL
IN MY DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR IN
THE CITY OF MODESTO, AND IT'S
PROBABLY BEEN THREE OR FOUR
YEARS NOW A PRICE FOOD
PROCESSING FACILITY. UM, FRUIT,
SPECIFICALLY. PEACH CANNING
FACILITY CLOSED DOWN. IT LAID
OFF PERMANENTLY OVER 350
TEAMSTERS AND THEN CLOSE TO
1000, PART TIME WORKERS. THAT
WORKS SEASONAL AND THAT PLANT
WILL NEVER OPEN UP AGAIN, AND
THE REASON THAT THEY CITED WAS
THE IMPORTATION OF PEACHES FROM
CHINA AND WE SEE THIS HAPPENING
OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WHERE IT'S
THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS LIKE TO BUY
IN BULK AND MANY TIMES THEY LOOK
AT WHERE THEY CAN. THEY CAN GET
THE BEST PRICE AND, UM, GO TO
OTHER COUNTRIES WHEN WE PRODUCE
THE SAME PRODUCT HERE IN
CALIFORNIA, SO I THINK WE OUGHT
TO PRIORITIZE CALIFORNIA GROWN
PRODUCTS, BUT THE BILL JUST
BASICALLY SAYS U S PRODUCTS. AND
SO, UM, I SUPPORT THIS. I THINK
IT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO GO. THANK
YOU FOR THAT, AND I'LL MAKE THE
MOTION WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE.
MR. CHAIR, SENATOR GLASER. I
WOULD JUST ALIGN MY COMMENTS
WITH SENATOR CABALLERO'S. IT'S
AND I'VE ALSO CARRIED
LEGISLATION LIKE THIS. IT'S
IMPORTANT THAT WE GROW IT. IN
CALIFORNIA. WE HAVE THE MOST
STRINGENT. UH LABOR REQUIREMENTS
AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
THAT THAT COSTS MORE SO, BUT WE
SHOULDN'T PUT OUR OWN FARMERS AT
A DISADVANTAGE AND THOSE THE
MONEY WITH THAT PLANT AND THOSE
THOSE 300 OR 1000 OTHER WORKERS,
I GOT SEASONAL WORKERS. THOSE
ARE MOSTLY LATINAS WHO WORK
SEASONALLY IN THE SUMMER DURING
THE SEASON TO BURN ALL THE EXTRA
MONEY FOR THEIR KIDS, SOCCER
SHOES AND BACKPACKS AND ALL
THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, SO IT'S
REAL IMPACT FOR COMMUNITIES AND
FAMILIES WENT INDUSTRIES THAT
ARE THRIVING IN OUR AREA. GO
AWAY SIMPLY BECAUSE, UM, IT'S
NOT ECONOMICAL TO ME. IT DOESN'T
MAKE SENSE ANYMORE, SO I FULLY
SUPPORT THIS BILL. THANK YOU.
SENATOR GLASER CERTAINLY WOULD
ALIGN MY COMMENTS WITH THE
SENATOR FROM SALINAS AND ASKED
THAT IF YOU HAVE THE OCCASION
AND THESE LAST TWO MONTHS TO
AMEND THE BILL. I'D LOVE TO BE
ADDED AS A COLLATERAL. THANK
YOU, SIR. I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE
A FEW OTHERS WILLING TO SIGN ON
AS WELL, MYSELF INCLUDED. SHOULD
THE OPPORTUNITY ARISE. UM ALL
RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION BY
SENATOR COVIELLO CLOSING
COMMENTS BY THE AUTHOR. WELCOME
YOUR INTEREST IN, UH, CO
AUTHORING THE MEASURE. WE WANTED
TO JUST THANK THE CHAIR AND TEAM
FOR THE ANNA. THE ANALYSIS THAT
YOU PUT FORWARD ALSO WANT TO
RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF SENATOR
CABALLERO IN THIS AREA. WE'RE
ACTUALLY BUILDING OFF OF SOME OF
THE WORK THAT SHE'S DONE THAT
START OFF WITH A 5% PROCUREMENT.
YOU KNOW, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND
WE ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH SB 13.
OH, EIGHT WHERE WE WANTED TO
MAKE SURE THAT THIS BILL DIDN'T
CONFLICT BUT MORE SO ALIGNED AND
AS YOU SAID, KIND OF CREATES A
COMPANIONSHIP. TO TRY TO ACHIEVE
THE SAME GOAL. SO WITH THAT
RESPECTFULLY AS REVIVAL,
EXCELLENT, AND OF COURSE, CAN
YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? ITEM
NUMBER ONE A. B 778. THE MOTION
IS DUE PASS, BUT FIRST BE REALLY
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS SENATORS, BOARD
GIS OR JUST I HURTADO. COVER
EURO CABALLERO. I EGGMAN SIGMUND
I GLASER GLASER. AYE. ALL RIGHT
. THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT WITH
SENATOR GLAZERS, UH, PRESENCE WE. AH ARE NOW MORE CAPABLE OF
DOING OUR CONSENT CALENDAR, SO I
BELIEVE WE'VE HAVE FOUR ITEMS ON
OUR CONSENT CALENDAR. THAT WOULD
BE A B 24 87 A B 18 25 1959 A B
29 64. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO
APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR? WE
HAVE TWO WARRING MOTIONS. I'M
GONNA GO WITH SENATOR EGGMAN ON
THIS ONE. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE
EMOTION. MY SENATOR EDMUND, UM
MADAM COURT. CAN YOU CALL THE
ROLL, PLEASE? CONSENT CALENDAR.
SENATORS BORD GIS. I HURTADO.
COVER EURO CABALLERO. I EGGMAN
EDMUND I. GLASER GLASER. AYE.
EXCELLENT. WE'LL KEEP THAT ROLE
OPEN FOR REMAINING COLLEAGUE. UM
ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON TO THE
SECOND ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA,
WELCOMING ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S
MAIENSCHEIN. 20 A B 24 99. CAN
YOU CLARIFY IF THERE WERE
AMENDMENTS IN THE THEY'VE BEEN
TAKEN? YES THANK YOU, MR CHAIR.
WE THERE WERE AMENDMENTS IN WE
DO ACCEPT THE AMENDMENTS.
EXCELLENT. EXCELLENT. THE FLOOR
IS YOURS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MR CHAIRMAN MEMBERS. A B 24 99
ESTABLISHES THE ORGANIC
TRANSITION PILOT PROGRAM TO
PROVIDE UNDERSERVED FARMERS AND
RANCHERS TOOLS TO STAY IN
BUSINESS WHILE PURSUING
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FARMING
PRACTICES. THIS WILL SUPPORT
FARMERS AS A TRANSITION TO
ORGANIC FARMING. BY FOCUSING ON
LIMITED RESOURCES, SOCIALLY
DISADVANTAGED PRODUCERS AND
PROVIDING FINANCIAL AND
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BECOME
CERTIFIED ORGANIC UNDERSERVED.
FARMERS FACE BARRIERS THAT LIMIT
THEIR ACCESS TO ORGANIC
CERTIFICATION AND MARKETS. THESE
PRODUCERS OFTEN MANAGE THEIR
BUSINESS ON THINNER MARGINS AT
THE PREVENT THEM FROM ASSUMING
ADDITIONAL RISK A B 24 99 6 TO
ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES TO KEEP
FARMERS AND IN BUSINESS. I
APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFUL
ENGAGEMENT FROM THE FARM BUREAU
ASSOCIATION AND LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS AS THIS
BILL MOVES FORWARD WITH ME TODAY
TO TESTIFY AND SUPPORT IS
REBECCA WEBER AND MARIA TORRES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AS THE
AUTHOR INDICATED. WE HAVE TWO
WITNESSES REBECCA WEBER AND
MARIA AND NOTICE, BOTH OF WHOM
WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES EACH
FOR A TOTAL OF FOUR MINUTES. MR
MODERATOR DO WE HAVE ON THE TWO
INDIVIDUALS ON THE LINE? LET'S
START FIRST, WITH REBECCA WEBER.
CAROLINA'S OPEN MRS. SO USEFUL.
REBECCA WEBINQUIRY. CAN YOU HEAR
ME? YES. YES, MA'AM. PLEASE GO
AHEAD AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
TESTIFY ON A B 24 99 THANK
ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S MAIENSCHEIN FOR
HIS LEADERSHIP. I AM REBECCA
WEBER, THE POLICY DIRECTOR AT
CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC
FARMERS. C C. O S. WE REPRESENT
3000 ORGANIC FARMS, RANCHES AND
BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT
CALIFORNIA. CCO FOUNDATION
PROVIDES GRANTS TO FARMERS
THROUGHOUT THE US THE TRANSITION
TO ORGANIC AND MANY OF THE
LEARNINGS FROM THE SUCCESSFUL
GRANT PROGRAM ARE BAKED INTO A B
24 99. I ASKED THE COMMITTEE TO
SUPPORT THIS BILL, WHICH IS
AIMED AT EXPANDING ACCESS TO
ORGANIC CERTIFICATION AND
PROVIDING FARMERS AND RANCHERS,
ESPECIALLY UNDERSERVED FARMERS
AND RANCHERS WITH MORE TOOLS.
ORGANIC IS A UNIQUE LABEL THAT
GUARANTEES FOOD IS GROWN AND
RAISED USING ECOLOGICAL METHOD.
ORGANIC FARMERS AND RANCHERS ARE
REQUIRED TO CONSERVE SOIL, WATER
, WETLANDS, WOODLANDS AND
WILDLIFE. ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
HELPS FARMERS STAY IN BUSINESS
BECAUSE OF THE MARKET
OPPORTUNITIES THAT AFFORD AND
ITS ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT.
HOWEVER, ACHIEVING ORGANIC
CERTIFICATION IS NOT EASY. TO
TRANSITION LAND TO ORGANIC
FARMERS CANNOT APPLY PROHIBITED
SYNTHETIC PESTICIDES AND
FERTILIZERS TO THE LAND FOR
THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST
ORGANIC HARVEST. FARMERS MUST
MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS,
INCLUDING LABOR, FEED AND FEED,
INFRASTRUCTURE, PREVENTATIVE,
LIVESTOCK, HEALTH CARE AND
ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF PESTS,
WEEDS AND DISEASES. THE US HAS
JOINED BY 42 FOOD, FARMING AND
ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESSES AND
NONPROFITS IN SUPPORT OF BABY 24
99. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU. UM
MODERATOR, CAN WE NOW MOVE ON TO
MARIA NOWADAYS FOR TWO MINUTES,
PLEASE. I DO NOT SEE HER DIALED
IN. AH! OKAY? UM WELL, WE'LL
JUST MOVE ALONG. AND IF SHE
HAPPENS TO GET UP IN THE QUEUE
IF YOU CAN ALERT US, THAT'D BE
GREAT. ALRIGHT BRING THIS ITEM
TO ROOM 2200 ANY INDIVIDUALS
WISHING TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR A
B 24 99, PLEASE APPROACH THE
SCREEN. AND. PLEASE LIMIT YOUR
COMMENTS TO YOUR NAME.
AFFILIATION IN YOUR POSITION,
PLEASE. REBECCA MARCUS AND
STRONG SUPPORT REPRESENTING
AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST THE
CARBON CYCLE INSTITUTE, THE
CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY AND NRDC.
THANK YOU. QUÊ PILOTS IS ANNA
LARSON WITH THE CALIFORNIA
CLIMATE AND HELLO, MR CHAIR AND
MEMBERS. MY NAME IS MELISSA
SAGAN ON BEHALF OF THE
CALIFORNIANS FOR PESTICIDE
REFORM AND PESTICIDE ACTION
NETWORK AND SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. ALRIGHT MODERATOR.
LET'S OPEN UP THE PHONE LINES.
ANY INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO
EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR A B 24 99 IF
YOU COULD PUT THEM IN THE QUEUE,
START THEM UP. THANK YOU IF YOU
WISH TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF A B
24 99 PLEASE PRESS 10 AT THIS
TIME. BRIAN 16, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
MICHAEL CHAIR ON BEHALF OF THE
COMMUNITY, ALLIANCE OF FAMILY
FARMERS AND SUPPORT THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME. QUÊ THANK YOU
LINE 13, PLEASE GO AHEAD. HI
MARKER, BEST SMOKER WITH THE
CALIFORNIA FOOD AND FARMING
NETWORK AND SUPPORT AND TWO OF
OUR MEMBERS HAVE ALSO ASKED TO
GIVE SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL
INSTITUTE OF MARIN AND MARIN
FOOD POLICY COUNCIL. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. I HAVE NO FURTHER
COMMENTS IN Q ALRIGHT FOLLOWING
THE SAME PROTOCOL. I DON'T
BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE ANY LEAD.
OPPOSITION WITNESSES ALSO BRING
IT BACK TO ROOM 2200 ANY
INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO EXPRESS
OPPOSITION TO 24 99, PLEASE
APPROACH THE SCREEN. SEEING NONE
MODERATE, LET'S OPEN THE LINES.
ANYBODY WISHING TO EXPRESS
OPPOSITION TO 24 99. PLEASE CUE
THEM UP. THANK YOU IF YOU WISH
TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO A B 24
99, PLEASE PRESS ONE, THEN ZERO
AT THIS TIME. I HAVE NO COMMENT
. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK
YOU. BRING IT BACK TO THE DAIS.
SENATOR EDMUND. I WOULD LIKE,
THANK YOU FOR THE BRINGING THIS
BILL FORWARD. ASSEMBLYMEMBER'S I
WOULD I WOULD THINK THAT THE
SENATOR FROM UH MERCED NOW, BUT
WOULD CONCUR THAT WHEN I FIRST
STARTED IN IN IN THE LEGISLATURE
WHEN YOU WOULD SPEAK TO A GROUP
OF FARMERS, IT WAS MOSTLY A VERY
HOMOGENEOUS GROUP OF MEN. AND
NOW MORE AND MORE THAT IS
BEGINNING TO CHANGE AND THE
PEOPLE THAT WE SEE GOING INTO
FARMING ARE A LOT MORE WOMEN,
SMALL FARMS, PEOPLE OF COLOR AND
THE PRICE OF LAND AND THE
TECHNOLOGY AND, UH, SKILLS AND
IS IT YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST HARD
TO DO THINGS ON THE SCALE AND BE
COMPETITIVE. SO THESE KINDS OF
THINGS ARE SO IMPORTANT. I THINK
TO KEEP OUR OUR FARMING
COMMUNITY HEALTHY AND THRIVING
AND DIVERSE. AS IT IS, SO I
THINK IT'S A GREAT BILL AND I'M
I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO
MOVE IT. EXCELLENT. ANY OTHER.
JUST A COUPLE OF HOUSEKEEPING
ITEMS. UM THE AMENDMENTS THAT
WERE ACCEPTED APPRECIATE YOU
DOING SO JUST SO THAT THERE'S
CLARIFICATION. THERE WAS A THERE
WAS A STRATA OF OVERHEAD RELATED
ELIGIBILITY FACTORS THAT WOULD
HAVE BEEN NORMALLY ENCUMBERED BY
A FARM OPERATION, WHICH IS WHY
WE HONED IN ON THOSE UM, THIS IS
A GOOD BILL. I THINK THE IDEA
THAT WE WANT TO PROMOTE ORGANIC
FARMING AND HELP THOSE THAT ARE
GETTING STARTED MORE SO THAN
THOSE THAT ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL
AND FULLY CAPABLE OF DOING THIS
ON THEIR OWN. IT'S NATURALLY
ORIENTED TOWARD ESPECIAL GROUPS,
BUT ALSO ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS
WAS TO EXPAND IT SHOULD
RESOURCES EXIST, AVAILABILITY
EXISTS. FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS
THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THAT
SPECIFICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREA
, BUT IT'S A PILOT PROGRAM. SO I
IMAGINE IN THE YEARS TO COME,
THIS WILL PROBABLY EXPAND AND,
UM WE'LL BE BETTER OFF FOR IT.
SINCE NO OTHER MEMBER OF THE
COMMITTEE WISHES TO SPEAK. DO
YOU WISH TO HAVE OFFERING
CONCLUDING STATEMENTS? THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. MR CHAIR AND MEMBERS
, SENATOR EDMUND THANK YOU FOR
THOSE COMMENTS, AND I WOULD
RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AND I VOTE.
ALRIGHT I BELIEVE IT WAS SEND
REDMOND AGAIN THAT MADE THE
MOTION. UM MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? ITEM
NUMBER THREE A B 2499. THE
MOTION IS DUE PASS AS AMENDED,
FIRST AMEND AND RE REFER TO THE
COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS
PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT. SENATORS BORDERS I
HER. TATO HER TOTO, I CABALLERO
CABALLERO, I EGGMAN. EGGMAN EYES
. GLASER GLASER. AYE. THAT ONE'S
OUT. ALL RIGHT. NOW THAT WE HAVE
OUR COLLEAGUE, SENATOR TATO HERE
, UM IF WE GO THROUGH THE ROLE
AND CONSENT WHICH HAS I THINK
WHAT FOUR ITEMS AND THEN REGULAR
WITH TWO. DEATH. THE TWO BILLS.
I'M SORRY BABY ON THE CONSENT
CALENDAR HER TATO TATO, I THAT'S
OUT. IT'S OUT, MAKE THE FIRST.
AH I STILL HAVE TO DO THE OTHER
TWO BUT CONSENT CALENDAR, OKAY?
UM ITEM NUMBER ONE A B 778. HER
TAITO TAITO I IT'S THAT'S 50.
ALRIGHT ITEM NUMBER THREE A B
2499 HER TAITO. HÌNH HER
DAUGHTER. BYE. OKAY ALL RIGHT. I
GOT MIXED UP CONSENT CALENDAR.
HER TAITO. HI I'M SORRY. OKAY?
50. ON 2499 AND THE CONSENT
CALENDAR AND A B 778 ALRIGHT
THAT WOULD OTHERWISE CONCLUDE
OUR ACTION ITEMS TODAY. THANK
YOU TO ALL THE INDIVIDUALS WHO
PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC TESTIMONY
TODAY IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO
TESTIFY POLICE TO MAKE YOUR
COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS TO
COMMITTEE AND WRITING. YOUR
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE
IMPORTANT TO US, ESPECIALLY
SENATOR TATO, AND WE WANT TO
INCLUDE YOUR TESTIMONY IN THE
OFFICIAL HEARING RECORD. THANK
YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR
PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU,
EVERYONE FOR YOUR PATIENCE,
COOPERATION, WE HAVE CONCLUDED
THE AGENDA. SENATE COMMITTEE ON
AG IS ADJOURNED. JUST IN TIME.
WE'RE SORRY YOUR CONFERENCE IS
ENDING NOW, PLEASE.