AB 2714: Pest control: Pierce’s disease: funding.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2016-04-12
Existing law establishes the Pierces Disease Control Program in the Department of Food and Agriculture and the Pierces Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.
This bill would appropriate an unspecified amount $5,000,000 from the General Fund to the Pierces Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund. The bill would also state various findings and declarations of the Legislature relating to, among other things, Pierces disease, the California wine industry, and funding the Pierces Disease Control Program.
Existing law establishes the Pierces Disease Control Program in the Department of Food and Agriculture and the Pierces Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.
This bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the Pierces Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund. The bill would also state various findings and declarations of the Legislature relating to, among other things, Pierces disease, the California wine industry, and funding the Pierces Disease Control Program.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The California wine industry has an annual economic impact of more than sixty billion dollars ($60,000,000,000) on the states economy and produces the number one finished agricultural product in the state.
(b)The California wine industry creates more than 200,000 330,000 jobs, billions in secondary economic activity, preserves agricultural land, open space, and family farms, is a major contributor to the economic vitality of the state, and provides for the overall enhancement of the California lifestyle.
(c)However, California winegrape growing and wine production are under attack by a number of pests and diseases, most of which are invasive to California, including the glassy-winged sharpshooter which is a vector of Pierces disease, grapevine leafroll disease, red blotch disease, mealybugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, and Virginia creeper leafhoppers.
(d)Damage caused by these pests and diseases includes lost product, decreased production, lower crop yield, crop damage, and higher costs on growers generally, resulting in hundreds of millions in lost revenue annually.
(e)Recognizing the importance of the California wine industry and the potential for widespread destruction from Pierces disease, the Legislature created a task force in 1999 that identified the need to create a statewide eradication and control program for Pierces disease and the glassy-winged sharpshooter, and in 2000 created the Pierces Disease Control Program within the Department of Food and Agriculture and established a coordinating fund to support research and control efforts.
(f)Additionally, the Legislature created the Pierces Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board and later extended the authority of the board to designate other pests and diseases to qualify for research and outreach funding.
(g)Historically, the Pierces Disease Control Program has been funded by federal, state, and industry sources, including an industry assessment fee, appropriations through the United States Department of Agriculture, and the General Fund.
(h)From 1999 through 2011, the Pierces Disease Control Program was seen as a model for how state, federal, and industry funds could be used in collaboration to tackle issues important to agriculture.
(i)For this 12-year period, the state contributed a total of $66,966,034, averaging nearly $5.6 million annually, with a maximum contribution of $9.4 million in 200102, and a minimum $3.7 million contribution in 200910.
(j)However, in 201112 the economic downturn forced the state to cease its investment in the Pierces Disease Control Program, and since this time, the program has been operating solely on industry and federal funds.
(k)While the Pierces Disease Control Program is generating positive results without state funding, programs have been cut, and industry funding once used solely for research to develop long-term solutions is now being used to fund surveillance and control activities.
(l)As a result, certain aspects of the program focused on preventing the spread and establishment of the glassy-winged sharpshooter and the spread of Pierces disease have been diminished, undermining the programs effectiveness.
(m)Recent years have also seen dramatic increases in the introduction and spread of invasive pests and diseases affecting agriculture and communities, which many scientists attribute to the effects of climate change and the global transport of goods and people.
(n)In light of increased threats and inadequate resources, the Pierces Disease Control Program and other pest and disease programs require additional funding to prevent movement and establishment of pests throughout California.
(o)With an economic recovery well under way, now is the time to recommit state funding and support to combat Pierces disease and other pests and diseases that affect winegrape production in the state.
SEC. 2.The sum of ____ five million dollars ($____) ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Pierces Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which was created pursuant to Section 6046 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The California wine industry has an annual economic impact of more than sixty billion dollars ($60,000,000,000) on the states economy and produces the number one finished agricultural product in the state.
(b)The California wine industry creates more than 200,000 jobs, billions in secondary economic activity, preserves agricultural land, open space, and family farms, is a major contributor to the economic vitality of the state, and provides for the overall enhancement of the California lifestyle.
(c)However, California winegrape growing and wine production are under attack by a number of pests and diseases, most of which are invasive to California, including the glassy-winged sharpshooter which is a vector of Pierces disease, grapevine leafroll disease, red blotch disease, mealybugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, and Virginia creeper leafhoppers.
(d)Damage caused by these pests and diseases includes lost product, decreased production, lower crop yield, crop damage, and higher costs on growers generally, resulting in hundreds of millions in lost revenue annually.
(e)Recognizing the importance of the California wine industry and the potential for widespread destruction from Pierces disease, the Legislature created a task force in 1999 that identified the need to create a statewide eradication and control program for Pierces disease and the glassy-winged sharpshooter, and in 2000 created the Pierces Disease Control Program within the Department of Food and Agriculture and established a coordinating fund to support research and control efforts.
(f)Additionally, the Legislature created the Pierces Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board and later extended the authority of the board to designate other pests and diseases to qualify for research and outreach funding.
(g)Historically, the Pierces Disease Control Program has been funded by federal, state, and industry sources, including an industry assessment fee, appropriations through the United States Department of Agriculture, and the General Fund.
(h)From 1999 through 2011, the Pierces Disease Control Program was seen as a model for how state, federal, and industry funds could be used in collaboration to tackle issues important to agriculture.
(i)For this 12-year period, the state contributed a total of $66,966,034, averaging nearly $5.6 million annually, with a maximum contribution of $9.4 million in 200102, and a minimum $3.7 million contribution in 200910.
(j)However, in 201112 the economic downturn forced the state to cease its investment in the Pierces Disease Control Program, and since this time, the program has been operating solely on industry and federal funds.
(k)While the Pierces Disease Control Program is generating positive results without state funding, programs have been cut, and industry funding once used solely for research to develop long-term solutions is now being used to fund surveillance and control activities.
(l)As a result, certain aspects of the program focused on preventing the spread and establishment of the glassy-winged sharpshooter and the spread of Pierces disease have been diminished, undermining the programs effectiveness.
(m)Recent years have also seen dramatic increases in the introduction and spread of invasive pests and diseases affecting agriculture and communities, which many scientists attribute to the effects of climate change and the global transport of goods and people.
(n)In light of increased threats and inadequate resources, the Pierces Disease Control Program and other pest and disease programs require additional funding to prevent movement and establishment of pests throughout California.
(o)With an economic recovery well under way, now is the time to recommit state funding and support to combat Pierces disease and other pests and diseases that affect winegrape production in the state.
SEC. 2.The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Pierces Disease Management Account in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, which was created pursuant to Section 6046 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Feb 19, 2016 | Introduced. To print. |
| Feb 21, 2016 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 22. |
| Feb 22, 2016 | Read first time. |
| Mar 10, 2016 | Referred to Com. on AGRI. |
| Mar 31, 2016 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 12, 2016 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on APPR. Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 13, 2016 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 20, 2016 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| May 27, 2016 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 20. Noes 0.) (May 27). |
| May 27, 2016 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 31, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| May 31, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 5042.) |
| May 31, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0.) |
| Jun 1, 2016 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| Jun 9, 2016 | Referred to Com. on B. & F.R. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2016 | AB 2714 COOPER Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
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| May 27, 2016 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
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| Mar 30, 2016 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| California Association Of Winegrape Growers | ** Support | May 31, 2016 |
| Family Winemakers Of California | ** Support | May 31, 2016 |
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 2714
Author:(Cooper)
As Amended Ver:April 12, 2016
2/3 vote
Committee | Votes | Ayes | Noes |
Agriculture | 9-0 | Dodd, Mathis, Eggman, Gallagher, Gray, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Quirk, Salas | |
Appropriations | 20-0 | Gonzalez, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Calderon, Chang, Daly, Eggman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Roger Hernández, Holden, Jones, Obernolte, Quirk, Santiago, Wagner, Weber, Wood |
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SUMMARY: Appropriates $5 million from the General Fund (GF) to the Pierce's Disease (PD) Management Account in the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fund. Specifically, this bill:
- Makes legislative findings and declarations related to PD, the importance of the California wine industry, and the need for funding the PD Control Program (Program).
- Appropriates an unspecified amount from GF for the PD Management Account.
EXISTING LAW: Created the PD Program, within CDFA, in order to fight PD and its primary vector, The Glassy Winged Sharp Shooter (GWSS). The PD/GWSS board was created to assess grape growers, and direct expenditure to research and combat PD and its vectors.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill will cost $5 million from GF.
COMMENTS: In the late 1990s, PD threatened to cause damage to grapes due to the arrival of GWSS. GWSS carries the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes PD in grapes, almonds, oleander, and citrus fruits. When a plant develops PD, its ability to draw in moisture is hindered and the plant will either die or become unproductive.
In 2001, the Program was created to fight the spread of PD and find solutions for PD and GWSS. The Program is currently funded from federal and industry funds, and grape grower's assessments. The last GF appropriation was just under $4 million and it was cut during the 2011/2012 budget reductions.
Before 2011, the Program operated for 12 years as a model for how state, federal and industry funds could be used in collaboration to tackle issues important to agriculture. For this twelve year time period, the state contributed approximately $67 million, with an average contribution of $5.6 million annually.
The author points out California winegrape growers are seeing a significant increase in pest and disease spread across the state. It was reported that more than 200,000 GWSS were trapped in Kern County in 2015. This is the highest number of GWSS reported in Kern County since monitoring began in 2001.
Furthermore, the recent spread of PD in the North Coast is unprecedented and warrants significant concern. While there is no population of GWSS in the North Coast to act as a vector for PD, the rise in the disease is likely due to weather, an increase in blue-green sharpshooter population, other vectors, or some combination of these factors. Funds from the PD/GWSS Board Program are being targeted at determining the cause of this recent spread.
According to the author, the wine industry is important to the state of California's economy and lifestyle, generating an economic impact of more than $60 billion annually, creating more than 330,000 fulltime jobs, and preserving agricultural land, open space and family farms. The sponsors state it is important that the state take an active role in protecting the winegrape industry. Supporters added "With an economic recovery well under way, now is the time to recommit state funding and support to combat PD and other pest and diseases that affect winegrape production in the state."
RELATED LEGISLATION:
AB 822 (Roth) of the current legislative session will appropriate $5 million from GF to the Citrus Disease Management Account for the purpose of combating citrus disease or its vectors.
AB 1642 (Chesbro), Chapter 231, Statutes of 2013, extended the operative date of the PD Program to March 1, 2021.
AB 571 (Gatto) of 2013 would have appropriated $5 million from GF to the Citrus Disease Management Account for the purpose of combating citrus disease or its vectors. This bill was vetoed by Governor.
Analysis Prepared by: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084 FN: 0003140
Date of Hearing: April 20, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2714
Author:(Cooper) – As Amended Ver:April 12, 2016
Policy Committee: | Agriculture | Vote: | 9 - 0 |
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill:
- Makes legislative findings and declarations related to Pierce’s Disease, the importance of the California wine industry, and the need for funding the Pierce’s Disease Control Program (PDCP).
- Appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the Pierce’s Disease Management Account in the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fund.
FISCAL EFFECT:
This bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the Pierce’s Disease Management Account.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose: According to the author, this bill will recommit state funding and support to combat Pierce’s Disease and other pests and diseases that affect California’s wine industry
- Background: The PDCP was created in 2001 to control the spread and severity of Pierce’s Disease, a fatal bacterial disease of grapevines that is spread by certain types of insects, in particular the glassy-winged sharpshooter. PDCP has five major components: containing the spread of the disease, statewide survey and detection, rapid response, outreach, and research. Despite PDCP’s success, California has experienced a greater incidence of Pierce’s Disease and increased populations of the glassy-winged sharpshooter in recent years.
- Program Funding: The PDCP currently relies upon federal assistance and wine grape assessments that fund operations and research. In FY 2014-15, the Program received $15.3 million in federal dollars and $1.1 million in industry assessments. Prior to FY 2011-12, the Program also received an average $5.6 million annually in General Fund support.
- Parallel citrus efforts and prior veto. SB 822 (Roth) in 2016, which is currently pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee, appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the Citrus Disease Management Account to combat the spread and devastating effects of the Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, a bacterial plant disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid. This bill follows a similar bill (AB 571 (Gatto) in 2013) vetoed by the Governor, whose veto message suggested that such funding decisions should be made during the budget process.
Analysis Prepared by: Luke Reidenbach / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: March 30, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Bill Dodd, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2714 (
Author:Cooper) – As Introduced Ver:February 19, 2016
SUBJECT: Pest control: Pierce’s disease: funding.
SUMMARY: Appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund (GF) to the Pierce’s Disease (PD) Management Account in the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fund. Specifically, this bill:
- Makes legislative findings and declarations related to PD, the importance of the California wine industry, and the need for funding the PD Control Program (Program).
- Appropriate an unspecified amount from GF for the PD Management Account.
EXISTING LAW: Created the PD Program, within CDFA, in order to fight PD and its primary vector, The Glassy Winged Sharp Shooter (GWSS). The PD/GWSS board was created to assess grape growers, and direct expenditure to research and combat PD and its vectors.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.
COMMENTS: In the late 1990s, PD threatened to cause damage to grapes due to the arrival of GWSS. GWSS carries the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes PD in grapes, almonds, oleander, and citrus fruits. When a plant develops PD, its ability to draw in moisture is hindered and the plant will either die or become unproductive.
In response, the Legislature enacted a legislative package that created the advisory task force on PD issues in 1999. In 2001, the Program was created by AB 1394 (Wiggins), Chapter 103, Statutes of 2001, to fight the spread of PD and find solutions for PD and GWSS. SB 1650 (Chesbro), Chapter 485, Statutes of 2004, made technical and substantive changes to the Program, and added a referendum process for the continuance of the Program and its related assessments, to be approved by a majority of the participants. The Program is currently funded from federal and industry funds, and grape grower's assessments. The last GF appropriation was just under $4 million and it was cut during the 2011/2012 budget reductions.
Before 2011, the Program operated for 12 years as a model for how state, federal and industry funds could be used in collaboration to tackle issues important to agriculture. For this twelve year time period, the state contributed approximately $67 million, with an average contribution of $5.6 million annually.
The author points out California winegrape growers are seeing a significant increase in pest and disease spread across the state. It was reported that more than 200,000 GWSS were trapped in Kern County in 2015. This is the highest number of GWSS reported in Kern County since monitoring began in 2001.
Furthermore, the recent spread of PD in the North Coast is unprecedented and warrants significant concern. While there is no population of GWSS in the North Coast to act as a vector for PD, the rise in the disease is likely due to weather, an increase in blue-green sharpshooter population, other vectors, or some combination of these factors. Funds from the PD/GWSS Board Program are being targeted at determining the cause of this recent spread.
According to the author, the wine industry is important to the state of California’s economy and lifestyle, generating an economic impact of more than $60 billion annually, creating more than 330,000 fulltime jobs, and preserving agricultural land, open space and family farms. The sponsors state it is important that the state take an active role in protecting the winegrape industry. Supporters added "With an economic recovery well under way, now is the time to recommit state funding and support to combat PD and other pest and diseases that affect winegrape production in the state." The author's office is in discussion with the Administration to determine an appropriate funding level from the state for the PD program.
RELATED LEGISLATION:
AB 822 (Roth) will appropriate $5 million from the General Fund to the Citrus Disease Management Account in the CDFA Fund for the purpose of combating citrus disease or its vectors. This bill is set be heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee on March 29, 2016.
AB 1642 (Chesbro), Statutes of 2013, Chapter 231, extended the operative date of the PD Program to March 1, 2021.
AB 571 (Gatto) of 2013 would have appropriated $5 million from the General Fund to the Citrus Disease Management Account in CDFA for the purpose of combating citrus disease or its vectors. This bill was vetoed by Governor.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Association of Winegrape Growers (sponsor)
Family Winemakers of California
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
Bill Author
