AB 1067: State nut: almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2017-07-10
Existing law declares the official state animal, rock, mineral, grass, insect, bird, and marine fish, among other things.
This bill would make the almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan each the official state nut.
Existing law declares the official state animal, rock, mineral, grass, insect, bird, and marine fish, among other things.
This bill would make the almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan each the official state nut.
Existing law declares the official state animal, rock, mineral, grass, insect, bird, and marine fish, among other things.
This bill would make the almond almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan each the official state nut.
Existing law declares the official state animal, rock, mineral, grass, insect, bird, and marine fish, among other things.
This bill would make the almond the official state nut.
Existing law prescribes procedures for the establishment of agricultural conservation easements intended to preserve and protect certain agricultural lands in the state. Existing law provides that this law shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Farmland Conservancy Program Act. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to this latter provision.Existing law prescribes procedures for the establishment of agricultural conservation easements intended to preserve and protect certain agricultural lands in the state. Existing law provides that this law shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Farmland Conservancy Program Act.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to this latter provision.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The State of California boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage and has adopted a number of tangible representations of that heritage as official symbols over the years.
(b)California produces more almonds than almost anywhere else. Eight out of every 10 almonds eaten in the world are grown in the state. Almonds are currently the most planted crop in the state due to an international boom in demand. Since 1995, farmers in the state have doubled the amount of agricultural land devoted to almonds to 900,000 acres.
(c)Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The almond industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the central valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
(d)California walnuts account for 99 percent of the commercial United States supply and approximately three-quarters of the world supply, and in 2015 there were an estimated 365,000 acres of walnuts in California.
(e)The walnut was first cultivated in California by the Franciscan Fathers in the late 1700s.
(f)California produces 98 percent of the pistachios in the United States and is the second largest producer worldwide.
(g)The first California commercial crop of pistachios harvested was in 1976, totaling 1.5 million pounds from 4,350 acres. California now has more than 250,000 acres planted throughout 22 counties producing over 550 million pounds of pistachios per year.
(h)First planted in California in the mid-1970s, in 2016 pecan production in California was over 5 million pounds.
(i)Pecans are the only nut native to the United States, where over 80 percent of the worlds pecans are grown.
SEC. 2.Section 422.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:422.3.The almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus), walnut, pistachio, and pecan are each the official state nut.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The State of California boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage and has adopted a number of tangible representations of that heritage as official symbols over the years.
(b)California produces more almonds than almost anywhere else. Eight out of every 10 almonds eaten in the world are grown in the state. Almonds are currently the most planted crop in the state due to an international boom in demand. Since 1995, farmers in the state have doubled the amount of agricultural land devoted to almonds to 900,000 acres.
(c)Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The almond industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the central valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
(d)California walnuts account for 99 percent of the commercial United States supply and approximately three-quarters of the world supply, and in 2015 there were an estimated 365,000 acres of walnuts in California.
(e)The walnut was first cultivated in California by the Franciscan Fathers in the late 1700s.
(f)California produces 98 percent of the pistachios in the United States and is the second largest producer worldwide.
(g)The first California commercial crop of pistachios harvested was in 1976, totaling 1.5 million pounds from 4,350 acres. California now has more than 250,000 acres planted throughout 22 counties producing over 550 million pounds of pistachios per year.
(h)First planted in California in the mid-1970s, in 2016 pecan production in California was over 5 million pounds.
(i)Pecans are the only nut native to the United States, where over 80 percent of the worlds pecans are grown.
SEC. 2.Section 422.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:422.3.The almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus), walnut, pistachio, and pecan are each the official state nut.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The State of California boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage and has adopted a number of tangible representations of that heritage as official symbols over the years.
(b)The almond has enjoyed a special status as one of the states earliest agricultural crops, having been first planted more than 250 years ago. (c)(b)California produces more almonds than almost anywhere else. Eight out of every 10 almonds eaten in the world are grown in the state. Almonds are currently the most planted crop in the state due to an international boom in demand. Since 1995, farmers in the state have doubled the amount of agricultural land devoted to almonds to 900,000 acres.
(d)(c)Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The almond industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the central valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
(e)Almonds are the states number one agricultural and specialty crop export. Almond exports outnumber the second and third highest exports in the state, dairy and wine, combined. Sixty-seven percent of the California almond crop is shipped to 90 countries worldwide.(f)Since antiquity, almonds have been consumed in thousands of ways. They can be eaten raw or can be blanched, toasted, roasted, or boiled. They can be sliced, crushed, or made into a flour or paste. They can be eaten plain or with herbs or other flavorings, and can be used in drinks, cereal, salad, bread, sauce, candy, or dessert, or with meat, fish, fruit, or vegetables. Almonds are used in everything from salmon almondine to Almond JoyTM, from almond spinach salad to marzipan, and from almond milk to almondtinis.(g)Almonds have a rich and storied history. Greek mythology tells a bittersweet tale in which the gloriously beautiful princess, Phyllis, was left waiting at the altar by Demophon, her betrothed, who had gone away to Athens. Though Phyllis held a torch for him for years, she finally died of a broken heart. The sympathetic gods transformed Phyllis into an almond tree, and when Demophon returned, he discovered that his love was now a barren, blossomless tree. In anguish, Demophon embraced the tree and it suddenly burst into bloom. The almond tree, like the State of California itself, has become a symbol of hope and of love undefeated. (h)The almonds symbolism is also a part of longstanding Judeo-Christian belief. Under Jewish tradition, the almond, or shaqed in Hebrew, is a symbol of watchfulness and promise because of its early flowering, and a mix of raisins and shelled almonds is a symbol of good luck that is given as a token of happiness and good fortune at weddings, christenings, and religious ordination ceremonies.(i)Almonds are mentioned numerous time in the Bible from the very beginning in Genesis 43:11, in which almonds are described as among the best of fruits when delivered as a present from Israel to his son, Joseph. Christian belief holds that the almond branch symbolizes the Virgin Mary and the birth of Jesus, and paintings of the nativity often depict almond branches or almonds encircling the Christ child.(j)Other ancient cultures embraced the almond. Archaeologists discovered almonds in Tutankhamuns tomb. The Romans called almonds Greek nuts because it was thought that they were first cultivated in Greece and treated almonds as delicacies that they showered upon newlyweds as a fertility charm. (k)In Chinese culture, almonds are the symbol for feminine beauty, and, in India, almonds are believed to be a brain food that produces high intellectual ability and longevity.(d)California walnuts account for 99 percent of the commercial United States supply and approximately three-quarters of the world supply, and in 2015 there were an estimated 365,000 acres of walnuts in California.
(e)The walnut was first cultivated in California by the Franciscan Fathers in the late 1700s.
(f)California produces 98 percent of the pistachios in the United States and is the second largest producer worldwide.
(g)The first California commercial crop of pistachios harvested was in 1976, totaling 1.5 million pounds from 4,350 acres. California now has more than 250,000 acres planted throughout 22 counties producing over 550 million pounds of pistachios per year.
(h)First planted in California in the mid-1970s, in 2016 pecan production in California was over 5 million pounds.
(i)Pecans are the only nut native to the United States, where over 80 percent of the worlds pecans are grown.
SEC. 2.Section 422.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:422.3.The almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus) is amygdalus), walnut, pistachio, and pecan are each the official state nut.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The State of California boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage and has adopted a number of tangible representations of that heritage as official symbols over the years.
(b)The almond has enjoyed a special status as one of the states earliest agricultural crops, having been first planted more than 250 years ago.
(c)California produces more almonds than almost anywhere else. Eight out of every 10 almonds eaten in the world are grown in the state. Almonds are currently the most planted crop in the state due to an international boom in demand. Since 1995, farmers in the state have doubled the amount of agricultural land devoted to almonds to 900,000 acres.
(d)Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The almond industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the central valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
(e)Almonds are the states number one agricultural and specialty crop export. Almond exports outnumber the second and third highest exports in the state, dairy and wine, combined. Sixty-seven percent of the California almond crop is shipped to 90 countries worldwide.
(f)Since antiquity, almonds have been consumed in thousands of ways. They can be eaten raw or can be blanched, toasted, roasted, or boiled. They can be sliced, crushed, or made into a flour or paste. They can be eaten plain or with herbs or other flavorings, and can be used in drinks, cereal, salad, bread, sauce, candy, or dessert, or with meat, fish, fruit, or vegetables. Almonds are used in everything from salmon almondine to Almond JoyTM, from almond spinach salad to marzipan, and from almond milk to almondtinis.
(g)Almonds have a rich and storied history. Greek mythology tells a bittersweet tale in which the gloriously beautiful princess, Phyllis, was left waiting at the altar by Demophon, her betrothed, who had gone away to Athens. Though Phyllis held a torch for him for years, she finally died of a broken heart. The sympathetic gods transformed Phyllis into an almond tree, and when Demophon returned, he discovered that his love was now a barren, blossomless tree. In anguish, Demophon embraced the tree and it suddenly burst into bloom. The almond tree, like the State of California itself, has become a symbol of hope and of love undefeated.
(h)The almonds symbolism is also a part of longstanding Judeo-Christian belief. Under Jewish tradition, the almond, or shaqed in Hebrew, is a symbol of watchfulness and promise because of its early flowering, and a mix of raisins and shelled almonds is a symbol of good luck that is given as a token of happiness and good fortune at weddings, christenings, and religious ordination ceremonies.
(i)Almonds are mentioned numerous time in the Bible from the very beginning in Genesis 43:11, in which almonds are described as among the best of fruits when delivered as a present from Israel to his son, Joseph. Christian belief holds that the almond branch symbolizes the Virgin Mary and the birth of Jesus, and paintings of the nativity often depict almond branches or almonds encircling the Christ child.
(j)Other ancient cultures embraced the almond. Archaeologists discovered almonds in Tutankhamuns tomb. The Romans called almonds Greek nuts because it was thought that they were first cultivated in Greece and treated almonds as delicacies that they showered upon newlyweds as a fertility charm.
(k)In Chinese culture, almonds are the symbol for feminine beauty, and, in India, almonds are believed to be a brain food that produces high intellectual ability and longevity.
SEC. 2.Section 422.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:422.3.The almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus) is the official state nut.
SECTION 1.Section 10200 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:10200.This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Farmland Conservancy Program Act. Any reference in this division to the Agricultural Land Stewardship Program Act of 1995 shall mean the California Farmland Conservancy Program Act.This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Farmland Conservancy Program Act. Any other references reference in this division to the Agricultural Land Stewardship Program Act of 1995 shall hereafter mean the California Farmland Conservancy Program Act.
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Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Jul 10, 2017 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 49, Statutes of 2017. |
| Jul 10, 2017 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Jun 26, 2017 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2:30 p.m. |
| Jun 20, 2017 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Jun 19, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 33. Noes 0. Page 1611.). |
| Jun 14, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Jun 13, 2017 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 13). |
| May 24, 2017 | Referred to Com. on G.O. |
| May 15, 2017 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 15, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 1528.) |
| May 11, 2017 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 1479.) |
| May 8, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 4, 2017 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 20. Noes 0.) (May 3). |
| Mar 29, 2017 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Mar 22, 2017 | Re-referred to Com. on G.O. |
| Mar 21, 2017 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on G.O. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 20, 2017 | Referred to Com. on G.O. |
| Feb 17, 2017 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 19. |
| Feb 16, 2017 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2017 | Consent Calendar 2nd AB1067 | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 13, 2017 | Do pass and be ordered to the Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization |
Passed |
|
| May 15, 2017 | AB 1067 GRAY Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 3, 2017 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Governmental Organization |
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.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| 4th grade gate class, margaret sheehy elementary, merced | ** Support | Jun 14, 2017 |
| 4th grade gate class, margaret sheehy elementary, merced | * Support | May 3, 2017 |
| Almond Alliance of California | ** Support | Jun 14, 2017 |
| American Pistachio Growers | ** Support | Jun 14, 2017 |
| California Walnut Commission | ** Support | Jun 14, 2017 |
| Caliifornia Walnut Commission | * For If Amend | May 3, 2017 |
| Margaret Sheehy Elementary | * Support | May 3, 2017 |
| Sheehy School | * Support | May 3, 2017 |
| Western Agricultural Processers Association | * For If Amend | May 3, 2017 |
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 1067
:
SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 12-0, 6/13/17
AYES: Dodd, Bradford, Cannella, Gaines, Galgiani, Glazer, Hill, Hueso, Lara, Mendoza, Portantino, Vidak
NO VOTE RECORDED: Berryhill
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 74-0, 5/15/17 - See last page for vote
DIGEST: This bill designates the almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the official State nut and makes various findings and declarations.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes the Bear Flag as the State Flag of California.
- Designates the following, among several others, as official state emblems:
- “Eureka” as the official State Motto.
- “The Golden State” as the official State Nickname.
- The golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica) as the official State Flower.
- West Coast Swing Dance as the official State Dance.
- The California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) as the official State Reptile.
- “I Love You, California” as an official State Song.
- The California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoia gigantea) as the official State Tree.
- “The Californian” as the official State Tall Ship.
- Denim as the official State Fabric.
This bill:
- Designates the almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus), walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the official state nut.
- Makes various findings and declarations regarding each nut.
Background
Purpose of the bill. According to the author’s office, “the State of California boasts a richly diverse cultural heritage, and through the years it has adopted a number of tangible representations of that heritage as official symbols. AB 1067 designates the almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the State Nut.”
The author’s office notes that each nut has immense historical, cultural, and economic impacts on California.
Almonds. Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the Central Valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
Walnuts. California walnuts account for 99% of the commercial United States supply and approximately 3/4 of the world supply. In 2015, there were an estimated 365,000 acres of walnuts in California. The walnut was first cultivated in California by the Franciscan Fathers in the late 1700s.
Pistachios. California produces 98% of the pistachios in the United States and is the second largest producer worldwide. The first California commercial crop of pistachios harvested was in 1976, totaling 1.5 million pounds from 4,350 acres. California now has more than 250,000 acres planted throughout 22 counties producing over 550 million pounds of pistachios per year.
Pecans. First planted in California in the mid-1970s, in 2016 pecan production in California was over 5 million pounds. Pecans are the only nut native to the United States, where over 80% of the world's pecans are grown.
Executive Proclamation. On April 9, 2013, Acting Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation noting that agriculture is one of the most beloved and iconic industries in the Golden State. The proclamation declared, for the year 2013, the avocado as the state fruit; the almond as the state nut; the artichoke as the state vegetable; and rice as the state grain.
This bill codifies the almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus) as the official State Nut. In addition, this bill also codifies the walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the official State Nut, as well.
Technical terminology. A botanical nut, technically speaking, is a hard-shelled pod that contains both the fruit and seed of the plant. Botanical nuts do not open to release the seed. Some examples of botanical nuts include chestnuts, hazelnuts, and acorns. The almond, walnut, pecan, and pistachio do not classify as botanical nuts, they are technically drupes. In botany, a drupe is a type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell (sometimes called a pit) with a seed inside. Some classic examples of drupes are peaches, plums, and cherries. Walnuts, almonds, pecans, and pistachios are also drupes; however, we eat the seed inside the shell/pit instead of the fruit.
The general usage of the term nut often refers to any hard-walled, edible kernel. A nut in cuisine, also known as a culinary nut, is much more loosely defined than a botanical nut. The almond, walnut, pecan, and pistachio are all commonly known as nuts.
Related/Prior Legislation
AB 1540 (Bloom, 2017) designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur. (Pending in Senate Rules Committee)
SB 73 (Hueso, 2017) designates the “San Salvador” as the official state ship of exploration. (Pending in Senate Governmental Organization Committee)
AB 501 (Levine, Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016) designated Denim as the official State Fabric.
AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015), among other things, designated “Lace Lichen” (Ramalina menziesii) as the official State Lichen.
ACR 56 (Linder, Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015) declared a “shelter pet” as the official State Pet.
AB 2364 (V. Manuel Perez, Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014) designated the “California Red-Legged Frog” (Rana draytonii) as the official State Amphibian.
AB 1776 (Fong, Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012) designated the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official Marine Reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.
SB 906 (Ashburn, Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005) designated “Calico” in San Bernardino County as the official State Silver Rush Ghost Town.
SB 1226 (Machado, Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004) designated “purple needlegrass,” or Nassella Pulchra, as the official State Grass.
AB 965 (Kehoe, Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003) designated the “Californian” as the official State Tall Ship.
AB 1757 (Leslie, Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002) designated “Bodie” as the official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
4th Grade GATE Class, Margaret Sheehy Elementary, Merced
Almond Alliance of California
American Pistachio Growers
California Walnut Commission
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/13/17)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: Supporters state that a number of states have already designated an official State Nut. Arkansas and Texas have selected the pecan, Missouri has the black walnut, and Oregon has chosen the hazelnut. Additionally, supporters contend that, “while botanically considered a legume, the peanut is the official State Crop of Georgia and boiled nuts are the official State Snack of South Carolina. Besides nuts, many states have official State Pies, Fruits, Desserts, Vegetables, Treats, Snacks and even Beans. California, however, does not have an official State Nut.”
The Almond Alliance of California states that, “including almonds in the list of ‘state nuts’ is an appropriate tribute to a crop that provides so many benefits to California’s economy and our residents’ health.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 74-0, 5/15/17
AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bocanegra, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gomez, Gray, Grayson, Harper, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Weber, Wood, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Holden, Irwin, Obernolte, Waldron
6/14/17 15:57:00
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Bill Dodd
Chair
2017 - 2018 Regular
Bill No: 1067 Hearing Date: 6/13/2017
Author: | |||
Version: | 5/11/2017 Amended | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | No |
Consultant: | Naomi Padron | ||
SUBJECT: State nut: almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan
DIGEST: This bill designates the almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the official state nut and makes various findings and declarations.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes the Bear Flag as the State Flag of California.
- Designates the following, among several others, as official state emblems:
- “Eureka” as the official State Motto.
- “The Golden State” as the official State Nickname.
- The golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica) as the official State Flower.
- West Coast Swing Dance as the official State Dance.
- The California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) as the official State Reptile.
- “I Love You, California” as an official State Song.
- The California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoia gigantea) as the official State Tree.
- “The Californian” as the official State Tall Ship.
- Denim as the official State Fabric.
This bill:
- Designates the almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus), walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the official state nut.
- Makes various findings and declarations regarding each nut.
Background
Purpose of the bill. According to the author’s office, “the State of California boasts a richly diverse cultural heritage, and through the years it has adopted a number of tangible representations of that heritage as official symbols. AB 1067 designates the almond, walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the State Nut.”
The author’s office notes that each nut has immense historical, cultural, and economic impacts on California.
Almonds. Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the Central Valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
Walnuts. California walnuts account for 99% of the commercial United States supply and approximately ¾ of the world supply. In 2015, there were an estimated 365,000 acres of walnuts in California. The walnut was first cultivated in California by the Franciscan Fathers in the late 1700s.
Pistachios. California produces 98% of the pistachios in the United States and is the second largest producer worldwide. The first California commercial crop of pistachios harvested was in 1976, totaling 1.5 million pounds from 4,350 acres. California now has more than 250,000 acres planted throughout 22 counties producing over 550 million pounds of pistachios per year.
Pecans. First planted in California in the mid-1970s, in 2016 pecan production in California was over 5 million pounds. Pecans are the only nut native to the United States, where over 80% of the world's pecans are grown.
Executive Proclamation. On April 9, 2013, Acting Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation noting that agriculture is one of the most beloved and iconic industries in the Golden State. The proclamation declared, for the year 2013, the avocado as the state fruit; the almond as the state nut; the artichoke as the state vegetable; and rice as the state grain.
This bill would codify the almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus) as the official State Nut. In addition, the bill would also codify the walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the official State Nut, as well.
Technical terminology. A botanical nut, technically speaking, is a hard-shelled pod that contains both the fruit and seed of the plant. Botanical nuts do not open to release the seed. Some examples of botanical nuts include chestnuts, hazelnuts, and acorns. The almond, walnut, pecan, and pistachio do not classify as botanical nuts, they are technically drupes. In botany, a drupe is a type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell (sometimes called a pit) with a seed inside. Some classic examples of drupes are peaches, plums, and cherries. Walnuts, almonds, pecans, and pistachios are also drupes; however, we eat the seed inside the shell/pit instead of the fruit.
The general usage of the term nut often refers to any hard-walled, edible kernel. A nut in cuisine, also known as a culinary nut, is much more loosely defined than a botanical nut. The almond, walnut, pecan, and pistachio are all commonly known as nuts.
Prior/Related Legislation
AB 1540 (Bloom, 2017) designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur. (Pending in Senate Rules Committee)
SB 73 (Hueso, 2017) designates the “San Salvador” as the official state ship of exploration. (Pending in Senate Governmental Organization Committee)
AB 501 (Levine, Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016) designated Denim as the official State Fabric.
AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015) among other things, designated “Lace Lichen” (Ramalina menziesii) as the official State Lichen.
ACR 56 (Linder, Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015) declared a “shelter pet” as the official State Pet.
AB 2364 (V. Manuel Perez, Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014) designated the “California Red-Legged Frog” (Rana draytonii) as the official State Amphibian.
AB 1776 (Fong, Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012) designated the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official Marine Reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.
SB 906 (Ashburn, Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005) designated “Calico” in San Bernardino County as the official State Silver Rush Ghost Town.
SB 1226 (Machado, Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004) designated “purple needlegrass,” or Nassella Pulchra, as the official State Grass.
AB 965 (Kehoe, Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003) designated the “Californian” as the official State Tall Ship.
AB 1757 (Leslie, Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002) designated “Bodie” as the official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
SUPPORT:
4th Grade GATE Class, Margaret Sheehy Elementary, Merced, CA
Almond Alliance of California
California Walnut Commission
OPPOSITION:
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: Supporters state that a number of states have already designated an official State Nut. Arkansas and Texas have selected the pecan, Missouri has the black walnut, and Oregon has chosen the hazelnut. Additionally, supporters contend that, “while botanically considered a legume, the peanut is the official State Crop of Georgia and boiled nuts are the official State Snack of South Carolina. Besides nuts, many states have official State Pies, Fruits, Desserts, Vegetables, Treats, Snacks and even Beans. California, however, does not have an official State Nut.”
The Almond Alliance of California states that, “including almonds in the list of ‘state nuts’ is an appropriate tribute to a crop that provides so many benefits to California’s economy and our residents’ health.”
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 1067
Author:(Gray)
As Amended Ver:May 11, 2017
Majority vote
Committee | Votes | Ayes | Noes |
Governmental Organization | 20-0 | Gray, Bigelow, Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Bocanegra, Bonta, Brough, Cooley, Cooper, Daly, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Jones-Sawyer, Kiley, Levine, Low, Rubio, Salas |
SUMMARY: Designates the Almond, Walnut, Pistachio, and Pecan as the official state nut and makes various finding and declarations.
EXISTING LAW:
- Designates the following as official state insignia:
- State Flower – "Golden Poppy" (Added by SB 251 (Smith), Chapter 69, Statutes of 1903)
- State Bird – "California Valley Quail" (Added by AB 776 (Miller), Chapter 777, Statutes of 1931)
- State Tree – "California Redwood" includes both the coast redwood (Sequoia empervirens) and the Sierra big tree (Sequoia gigantea) – (Added by SB 958 (Fletcher), Chapter 134, Statutes of 1943; Amended by SB 1014 (Tenney), Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
- State Theatre – "Pasadena Playhouse" (Added by Resolution ACR 17 (Eleanor Miller), Chapter 45, Statutes of 1937)
- State Fish – "California Golden Trout" (Added by Resolution ACR 52 (Erwin), Chapter 90, Statutes of 1947)
- State Song – "I Love You California" (Added by Resolution SCR 29 (Tenney), Chapter 87, Statutes of 1951)
- State Animal – "California Grizzly" (Added by SB 1014 (Tenney), Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
- State Motto – "Eureka" (Added by AB 7 (Mills), Chapter 1237, Statutes of 1963)
- State Rock – "Serpentine" (Added by SB 265 (Gibson), Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
- State Mineral – "Native Gold" (Added by SB 265 (Gibson), Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
- State Nickname – "Golden State" (Added by SB 204 (Song), Chapter 66, Statutes of 1968)
- State Reptile – "Desert Tortoise" (Added by AB 1089 (Hayden), Chapter 683, Statutes of 1972)
- State Insect – "California Dogface Butterfly" (Added by AB 1843 (Maddy), Chapter 521, Statutes of 1972)
- State Fossil – "Sabre-Tooth Cat" (Added by AB 940 (Sieroty), Chapter 792, Statutes of 1973)
- State Historical Society – "California Historical Society" (Added by SB 63 (Mills), Chapter 52, Statutes of 1979)
- State Marine Mammal – "California Gray Whale" (Added by AB 258 (Badham), Chapter 328, Statutes of 1975)
- State Gemstone – "Benitoite" (Added by AB 2357 (Areias), Chapter 1365, Statutes of 1985)
- State Folk Dance – "Square Dance" (Added by SB 2460 (Kopp), Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
- State Dance – "West Coast Swing" (Added by SB 2460 (Kopp), Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
- State Prehistoric Artifact – "Chipped Stone Bear" (Added by SB 404 (Dills), Chapter 73, Statutes of 1991)
- State Marine Fish – "Garibaldi" (Added by AB 77 (Morrow), Chapter 948, Statutes of 1995)
- State Soil – "San Joaquin Soil" (Added by SB 389 (Monteith), Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997)
- State Fife and Drum Band – "California Consolidated Drum Band" (Added by SB 1318 (Polanco), Chapter 58, Statutes of 1997)
- State Tartan – "Based on the family tartan of the revered John Muir" (blue and green with red, gold, and blue seams) (Added by AB 614 (Thomson), Chapter 100, Statutes of 2001)
- State Gold Rush Ghost Town – "Town of Bodie" (Added by AB 1757 (Leslie), Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002)
- State Tall Ship – "Californian" (Added by AB 965 (Kehoe), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003)
- State Grass – "Nassella Pulchra" – commonly referred to as "purple needlegrass" (Added by SB 1226 (Machado), Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004)
- State Silver Rush Ghost Town – "Calico" (Added by SB 906 (Ashburn), Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005)
- Official Marine Reptile – "Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle" (Added by AB 1776 (Fong), Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012)
- State Amphibian – "California Red-Legged Frog" (Added by AB 2364 (V. Manuel Pérez), Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014)
- State Pet – "Shelter Pet" (Added by ACR 56 (Linder), Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015)
- State Lichen – "Lace Lichen" (Added by AB 1528 (Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015)
- State fabric – "Denim" (Added by AB 501 (Levine), Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016)
FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Summary of Findings: Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the central valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
California walnuts account for 99% of the commercial United States supply and approximately 3/4 of the world supply, and in 2015 there were an estimated 365,000 acres of walnuts in California. The walnut was first cultivated in California by the Franciscan Fathers in the late 1700s.
California produces 98% of the pistachios in the United States and is the second largest producer worldwide. The first California commercial crop of pistachios harvested was in 1976, totaling 1.5 million pounds from 4,350 acres. California now has more than 250,000 acres planted throughout 22 counties producing over 550 million pounds of pistachios per year.
First planted in California in the mid-1970s, in 2016 pecan production in California was over 5 million pounds. Pecans are the only nut native to the United States, where over 80% of the world's pecans are grown.
Executive Proclamation: On April 9, 2013, Acting Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring the avocado as the state fruit, the almond as the state nut, the artichoke as the state vegetable, and rice as the state grain. This bill would codify the almond as the state nut into law.
Prior/Related Legislation: AB 501 (Levine), Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016. Designated "Denim" as the official State Fabric.
AB 1528 (Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015 Among other things, declared "Lace Lichen" (Ramalina menziesii) the official State Lichen.
ACR 56 (Linder), Resolution Chapter184, Statutes of 2015. Declared a "shelter pet" as the official State Pet.
AB 2364 (V. Manuel Pérez), Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014. Designated the "California Red-Legged Frog" (Rana draytonii) as the official State Amphibian.
AB 1776 (Fong), Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012. Designated the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official marine reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.
SB 906 (Ashburn), Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005. Designated "Calico" in San Bernardino County as the official State Silver Rush Ghost Town.
SB 1226 (Machado), Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004. Designated "purple needlegrass," or Nassella Pulchra, as the official State Grass.
AB 965 (Kehoe), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003. Established the "Californian" as the official State Tall Ship.
AB 1757 (Leslie), Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002. Designated "Bodie" as the official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.
Analysis Prepared by: Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531 FN: 0000294
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 1067
Author:(Gray)
As Amended Ver:March 21, 2017
Majority vote
Committee | Votes | Ayes | Noes |
Governmental Organization | 20-0 | Gray, Bigelow, Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Bocanegra, Bonta, Brough, Cooley, Cooper, Daly, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Jones-Sawyer, Kiley, Levine, Low, Rubio, Salas |
SUMMARY: Designates the Almond as the official state nut and makes various finding and declarations.
EXISTING LAW:
- Designates the following as official state insignia:
- State Flower – "Golden Poppy" (Added by SB 251 (Smith), Chapter 69, Statutes of 1903)
- State Bird – "California Valley Quail" (Added by AB 776 (Miller), Chapter 777, Statutes of 1931)
- State Tree – "California Redwood" includes both the coast redwood (Sequoia empervirens) and the Sierra big tree (Sequoia gigantea) – (Added by SB 958 (Fletcher), Chapter 134, Statutes of 1943; Amended by SB 1014 (Tenney), Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
- State Theatre – "Pasadena Playhouse" (Added by Resolution ACR 17 (Eleanor Miller), Chapter 45, Statutes of 1937)
- State Fish – "California Golden Trout" (Added by Resolution ACR 52 (Erwin), Chapter 90, Statutes of 1947)
- State Song – "I Love You California" (Added by Resolution SCR 29 (Tenney), Chapter 87, Statutes of 1951)
- State Animal – "California Grizzly" (Added by SB 1014 (Tenney), Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
- State Motto – "Eureka" (Added by AB 7 (Mills), Chapter 1237, Statutes of 1963)
- State Rock – "Serpentine" (Added by SB 265 (Gibson), Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
- State Mineral – "Native Gold" (Added by SB 265 (Gibson), Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
- State Nickname – "Golden State" (Added by SB 204 (Song), Chapter 66, Statutes of 1968)
- State Reptile – "Desert Tortoise" (Added by AB 1089 (Hayden), Chapter 683, Statutes of 1972)
- State Insect – "California Dogface Butterfly" (Added by AB 1843 (Maddy), Chapter 521, Statutes of 1972)
- State Fossil – "Sabre-Tooth Cat" (Added by AB 940 (Sieroty), Chapter 792, Statutes of 1973)
- State Historical Society – "California Historical Society" (Added by SB 63 (Mills), Chapter 52, Statutes of 1979)
- State Marine Mammal – "California Gray Whale" (Added by AB 258 (Badham), Chapter 328, Statutes of 1975)
- State Gemstone – "Benitoite" (Added by AB 2357 (Areias), Chapter 1365, Statutes of 1985)
- State Folk Dance – "Square Dance" (Added by SB 2460 (Kopp), Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
- State Dance – "West Coast Swing" (Added by SB 2460 (Kopp), Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
- State Prehistoric Artifact – "Chipped Stone Bear" (Added by SB 404 (Dills), Chapter 73, Statutes of 1991)
- State Marine Fish – "Garibaldi" (Added by AB 77 (Morrow), Chapter 948, Statutes of 1995)
- State Soil – "San Joaquin Soil" (Added by SB 389 (Monteith), Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997)
- State Fife and Drum Band – "California Consolidated Drum Band" (Added by SB 1318 (Polanco), Chapter 58, Statutes of 1997)
- State Tartan – "Based on the family tartan of the revered John Muir" (blue and green with red, gold, and blue seams) (Added by AB 614 (Thomson), Chapter 100, Statutes of 2001)
- State Gold Rush Ghost Town – "Town of Bodie" (Added by AB 1757 (Leslie), Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002)
- State Tall Ship – "Californian" (Added by AB 965 (Kehoe), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003)
- State Grass – "Nassella Pulchra" – commonly referred to as "purple needlegrass" (Added by SB 1226 (Machado), Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004)
- State Silver Rush Ghost Town – "Calico" (Added by SB 906 (Ashburn), Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005)
- Official Marine Reptile – "Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle" (Added by AB 1776 (Fong), Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012)
- State Amphibian – "California Red-Legged Frog" (Added by AB 2364 (V. Manuel Pérez), Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014)
- State Pet – "Shelter Pet" (Added by ACR 56 (Linder), Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015)
- State Lichen – "Lace Lichen" (Added by AB 1528 (Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015)
- State fabric – "Denim" (Added by AB 501 (Levine), Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016)
FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Purpose of the Bill: According to the author: "The State of California boasts a richly diverse cultural heritage, and through the years it has adopted a number of tangible representations of that heritage as official symbols. AB 1067 designates the almond as the State Nut, symbolizing the almond's immense historical, cultural, and economic impact on California.
"California's almond industry is relevant around the world. Almonds are the state's number one agricultural and specialty crop export; Almonds far outdistance both the number two (dairy) and number three (wine) exports combined; 67% of the California almond crop is shipped to 90 countries worldwide. In fact, eight of every ten almonds eaten in the world come from California.
"Almond production has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the Central Valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment. The economic benefits almonds have generated for the California economy and its workforce are incredibly significant and deserving of this special recognition."
Summary of Findings: The Almond is one of California's earliest agricultural crops, having been first planted more than 250 years ago.
Eight out of every 10 almonds eaten in the world are grown in California and are currently the most planted crop in the state due to an international boom in demand. Almonds are the state's number one agricultural and specialty crop export. Almond exports outnumber the second and third highest exports in the state, dairy and wine, combined. Sixty-seven percent of the California almond crop is shipped to 90 countries worldwide.
Since 1995, farmers in the state have doubled the amount of agricultural land devoted to almonds to 900,000 acres. Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the central valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
Almonds have a rich and storied history in many faiths, including in Greek mythology, Judeo-Christian belief, and Christianity.
Executive Proclamation: On April 9, 2013, Acting Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring the avocado as the state fruit, the almond as the state nut, the artichoke as the state vegetable, and rice as the state grain. This bill would codify the almond as the state nut into law.
Prior/Related Legislation: AB 501 (Levine), Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016. Designated "Denim" as the official State Fabric.
AB 1528 (Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015 Among other things, declared "Lace Lichen" (Ramalina menziesii) the official State Lichen.
ACR 56 (Linder), Resolution Chapter184, Statutes of 2015. Declared a "shelter pet" as the official State Pet.
AB 2364 (V. Manuel Pérez), Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014. Designated the "California Red-Legged Frog" (Rana draytonii) as the official State Amphibian.
AB 1776 (Fong), Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012. Designated the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official marine reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.
SB 906 (Ashburn), Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005. Designated "Calico" in San Bernardino County as the official State Silver Rush Ghost Town.
SB 1226 (Machado), Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004. Designated "purple needlegrass," or Nassella Pulchra, as the official State Grass.
AB 965 (Kehoe), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003. Established the "Californian" as the official State Tall Ship.
AB 1757 (Leslie), Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002. Designated "Bodie" as the official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.
Analysis Prepared by: Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531 FN: 0000290
Date of Hearing: May 3, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Adam Gray, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1067 (
Author:Gray) – As Amended Ver:March 21, 2017
SUBJECT: State nut: almond
SUMMARY: Designates the Almond as the official state nut and makes various finding and declarations.
EXISTING LAW:
- Designates the following as official state insignia:
- State Flower – "Golden Poppy" (Added by Chapter 69, Statutes of 1903)
- State Bird – "California Valley Quail" (Added by Chapter 777, Statutes of 1931)
- State Tree – "California Redwood" includes both the coast redwood (Sequoia empervirens) and the Sierra big tree (Sequoia gigantea) – (Added by Chapter 134, Statutes of 1943; Amended by Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
- State Theatre – "Pasadena Playhouse" (Added by Resolution Chapter 45, Statutes of 1937)
- State Fish – "California Golden Trout" (Added by Resolution Chapter 90, Statutes of 1947)
- State Song – "I Love You California" (Added by Resolution Chapter 87, Statutes of 1951)
- State Animal – "California Grizzly" (Added by Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
- State Motto – "Eureka" (Added by Chapter 1237, Statutes of 1963)
- State Rock – "Serpentine" (Added by Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
- State Mineral – "Native Gold" (Added by Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
- State Nickname – "Golden State" (Added by Chapter 66, Statutes of 1968)
- State Reptile – "Desert Tortoise" (Added by Chapter 683, Statutes of 1972)
- State Insect – "California Dogface Butterfly" (Added by Chapter 521, Statutes of 1972)
- State Fossil – "Sabre-Tooth Cat" (Added by Chapter 792, Statutes of 1973)
- State Historical Society – "California Historical Society" (Added by Chapter 52, Statutes of 1979)
- State Marine Mammal – "California Gray Whale" (Added by Chapter 328, Statutes of 1975)
- State Gemstone – "Benitoite" (Added by Chapter 1365, Statutes of 1985)
- State Folk Dance – "Square Dance" (Added by Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
- State Dance – "West Coast Swing" (Added by Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
- State Prehistoric Artifact – "Chipped Stone Bear" (Added by Chapter 73, Statutes of 1991)
- State Marine Fish – "Garibaldi" (Added by Chapter 948, Statutes of 1995)
- State Soil – "San Joaquin Soil" (Added by Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997)
- State Fife and Drum Band – "California Consolidated Drum Band" (Added by Chapter 58, Statutes of 1997)
- State Tartan – "Based on the family tartan of the revered John Muir" (blue and green with red, gold, and blue seams) (Added by Chapter 100, Statutes of 2001)
- State Gold Rush Ghost Town – "Town of Bodie" (Added by Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002)
- State Tall Ship – "Californian" (Added by Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003)
- State Grass – "Nassella Pulchra" – commonly referred to as "purple needlegrass" (Added by Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004)
- State Silver Rush Ghost Town – "Calico" (Added by Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005)
- Official Marine Reptile – "Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle" (Added by Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012)
- State Amphibian – "California Red-Legged Frog" (Added by Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014)
- State Pet – "Shelter Pet" (Added by Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015)
- State Lichen – "Lace Lichen" (Added by Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015)
- State fabric – “Denim” (Added by Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016)
FISCAL EFFECT: Keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Purpose of the Bill: According to the author: “The State of California boasts a richly diverse cultural heritage, and through the years it has adopted a number of tangible representations of that heritage as official symbols. AB 1067 designates the almond as the State Nut, symbolizing the almond’s immense historical, cultural, and economic impact on California.
California’s almond industry is relevant around the world. Almonds are the state’s number one agricultural and specialty crop export; Almonds far outdistance both the number two (dairy) and number three (wine) exports combined; 67 percent of the California almond crop is shipped to 90 countries worldwide. In fact, eight of every ten almonds eaten in the world come from California.
Almond production has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the Central Valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment. The economic benefits almonds have generated for the California economy and its workforce are incredibly significant and deserving of this special recognition.”
Summary of Findings: The Almond is one of California’s earliest agricultural crops, having been first planted more than 250 years ago.
Eight out of every 10 almonds eaten in the world are grown in California and are currently the most planted crop in the state due to an international boom in demand. Almonds are the state’s number one agricultural and specialty crop export. Almond exports outnumber the second and third highest exports in the state, dairy and wine, combined. Sixty-seven percent of the California almond crop is shipped to 90 countries worldwide.
Since 1995, farmers in the state have doubled the amount of agricultural land devoted to almonds to 900,000 acres. Almonds are a $4 billion dollar industry, with 2.1 billion pounds of almonds produced in 2016. The industry has created over 100,000 jobs statewide, 97,000 of which are in the central valley, a region that has traditionally been saddled with high unemployment.
Almonds have a rich and storied history in many faiths, including in Greek mythology, Judeo-Christian belief, and Christianity.
Executive Proclamation: On April 9, 2013, Acting Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring the avocado as the state fruit, the almond as the state nut, the artichoke as the state vegetable, and rice as the state grain. AB 1067 would codify the almond as the state nut into law.
Prior/Related Legislation: AB 501 (Levine), Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016. Designated “Denim” as the official State Fabric.
AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015 Among other things, declared "Lace Lichen" (Ramalina menziesii) the official State Lichen.
ACR 56 (Linder), Resolution Chapter184, Statutes of 2015. Declared a "shelter pet" as the official State Pet.
AB 2364 (V. Manuel Pérez), Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014. Designated the "California Red-Legged Frog" (Rana draytonii) as the official State Amphibian.
AB 1776 (Fong), Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012. dDesignated the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official marine reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.
SB 906 (Ashburn), Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005. Designated "Calico" in San Bernardino County as the official State Silver Rush Ghost Town.
SB 1226 (Machado), Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004. Designated "purple needlegrass," or Nassella Pulchra, as the official State Grass.
AB 965 (Kehoe), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003. Established the "Californian" as the official State Tall Ship.
AB 1757 (Leslie), Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002. Designated "Bodie" as the official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
4th Grade GATE Class, Margaret Sheehy Elementary, Merced, CA
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531
Discussed in Hearing
3MIN
Assembly Floor
1MIN
Assembly Floor
37MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Governmental Organization
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):