AB 408: Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2023-08-14
Current Status:
Failed
(2023-09-01: In committee: Held under submission.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law under Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.
This bill would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3,365,000,000 $3,650,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities.
The bill would make its provisions severable.
The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law under Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.
This bill would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3,365,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities.
The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law under Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.
This bill would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3,365,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities.
The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law under Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.
This bill would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3,365,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities.
The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election.
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law under Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.
This bill would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3,365,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities.
The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election.
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law under Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to issue a bond to support solutions to the climate crisis and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that would create a more equitable and resilient food and farming system.Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law under Article XVI of the California Constitution requires measures authorizing general obligation bonds to specify the single object or work to be funded by the bonds and further requires a bond act to be approved by a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and a majority of the voters.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to issue a bond to support solutions to the climate crisis and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that would create a more equitable and resilient food and farming system.
This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80701.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)A secure, resilient, sustainable, and equitable food and farming system is essential for the economic, cultural, and social well-being of the people of California. The climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the states food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. The scale of these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainability and resiliency, including investments in infrastructure related to the needs of farms, ranches, traditional food systems, fisheries, farmworkers, distribution systems, and food access.
(b)Climate change increases the risk of extreme weather events, biodiversity losses, catastrophic wildfires, and sea level rise, and presents a significant threat to the health, safety, and prosperity of the people of California.
(c)Californias low-income communities of color and tribal communities bear a disproportionate burden of climate changes adverse impacts, and many of these communities are still recovering from the inequitable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(d)Approximately 20.3 percent of Californians, or 7,900,000 people, are food insecure. Black, African American, Latino, Native American, and other Californians who identify with two or more racial categories have higher rates of food insecurity compared to their non-Latino, White counterparts.
(e)Food and nutrition insecurity affect Californians across their lifespans, starting in childhood for millions of children who grow up in poverty, and continuing into late adulthood for the nearly 40 percent of low-income Californians over 60 years of age who are food insecure.
(f)Farmworkers, a primarily Latino and immigrant workforce, who often lack access to safe, affordable housing and live in overcrowded housing conditions, are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, wildfire smoke exposure, heat-related illness, and work interruptions as the climate crisis intensifies.
(g)Latino children in California are 91 percent more likely than White children to attend schools with significant pesticide exposure.
(h)Low-income communities of color and tribal communities have less access to healthy and culturally relevant foods than higher income communities, and consequently face disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease.
(i)Food and fiber producers are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale producers and producers of color.
(j)With California agricultural land prices increasing 10 percent between 2021 and 2022, accessing agricultural land and securing land tenure continue to present obstacles for small-scale farmers. Farmers of color have also faced generations of discriminatory lending and market practices and ongoing barriers that prevent them from accessing land, culturally relevant technical support, and recovery initiatives.
(k)Food system essential workers are often required to continue working during ongoing emergencies, such as wildfires and extreme heat events, and too often are denied access to adequate safety measures to protect their personal health and the well-being of their family members and communities.
(l)Strategic investments in infrastructure projects that support Californias workforce, climate-resilient food and fiber production, regional food supply chains, increased access to healthy foods, tribal nations, and historically underserved communities will help build Californias economy, while increasing the states overall resilience against future catastrophes, including climate change.
(m)Sustainable food and fiber production, including certified organic production and climate-smart agriculture practices, increases the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, while providing cobenefits for the economy, public health, and the environment.
(n)During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemics disruption, a record number of farmers applied to the states climate-smart agriculture programs, showing a growing interest for state investments in climate friendly farming practices and indigenous traditional land management practices.
(o)Investing in farmworkers and food supply chain workers will help California meet the needs of a 21st century workforce while supporting the well-being of, and safe working conditions for, Californias essential workers.
(p)Building decentralized local and regional food system infrastructure, from production to consumption, will combat hunger and improve nutrition, create jobs, and increase long-term resilience in communities throughout the state.
(q)Rebuilding regional food infrastructure in key areas, including community and school commercial kitchens, fishing infrastructure, local meat processing and storage facilities, and food hubs for improved distribution, will increase healthy food access for Californians, especially for children, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.
(r)Discriminatory practices and their ongoing legacy mean that many food and fiber producers of color are unable to access technical and financial resources. An equitable economy requires direct distribution of funding to socially disadvantaged food and fiber producers and historically underserved communities of color through tribal governments and entities led by people of color.
(s)Empowering indigenous communities and tribal producers, who maintained balance with Californias ecosystems since time immemorial, through investments that acknowledge and support their unique traditions and cultural practices will build strong indigenous-driven food systems that benefit all Californians, wildlife, and the environment.
(t)The investment of public funds pursuant to this division will result in public, environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits, will address inequities in our food and farming systems, and is an opportunity to support healing at the community level for historic and ongoing traumas.
(u)Consumer interest in sustainably grown organic produce has surpassed in-state supplies in recent years, with demand for organic produce at unprecedented levels in recent years.
(v)To reduce food and nutrition insecurity and improve access to healthy and culturally relevant food, the investment of public moneys pursuant to this division is necessary in order to build the infrastructure necessary to support community-based resilient food systems. Communities and tribes will have control over where their foods come from, with the ability to focus on the public health, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts. In a more just food system, all communities can have both increased access to nutritious, affordable food and the ability to maintain a food system that prioritizes environmental and human needs.
(w)Existing law requires the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Council to implement an initiative to expand access to nutritious food in underserved, urban, and rural communities and to eliminate food deserts in California.
(x)Whereas it is fiscally prudent to leverage bond funding primarily for capital expenditures, additional state, local, and federal financial support should be provided to ensure adequate funding is available for project planning, community engagement, outreach, technical assistance, and organizational capacity. That financial support is particularly necessary when the proceeds of bonds will fund projects benefiting disadvantaged communities, tribal populations, and socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and other food producers.
80702.For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:
(a)Beginning farmer or rancher means a person who has not operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer, or has operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer for not more than 10 consecutive years, and will materially and substantially participate in the operation of a farm, ranch, or tribal producer operation.
(b)Committee means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created pursuant to Section 80772.
(c)Disadvantaged community means any of the following:
(1)A community located in a census tract in which the median household income of less than 80 percent of the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(2)A municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 20,000 persons or less, with an annual median household income that is less than 85 percent of the statewide median household income.
(3)A community located in a census tract in which the household income of at least 20 percent of the population is at or below the federal poverty level based on family size.
(d)Food hub means a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution of locally or regionally produced food products.
(e)Fund means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund created pursuant to Section 80703.
(f)Heat island effect means the effect of increased temperatures in urbanized areas caused by structures, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, that absorb and re-emit the suns heat more than natural landscapes such as farmland, forests, and water bodies.
(g)Limited resource farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(h)Local educational agency means a charter school, school district, tribal school, or county office of education.
(i)Nonprofit organization means a nonprofit corporation qualified to do business in California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(j)Priority population means any of the following:
(1)A community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)A low-income household, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3)A low-income community, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(k)Producer means a person, partnership, corporation, or otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products through agricultural arts on land that the entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possess. An entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possess property only during the harvest season for the agricultural products produced on that property is not a producer.
(l)Resilience means the ability of an entity or system, including an individual, community, or natural system, and its component parts to absorb, accommodate, and recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its structures and functions. In the case of natural and working lands, resilience also includes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the lands ability to sequester carbon.
(m)School food authorities has the same meaning as defined in Section 49563 of the Education Code.
(n)Small- and medium-sized farms means farms and ranches of 500 acres or less.
(o)Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(p)State General Obligation Bond Law means the State General Obligation Bond Law (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 16720) of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code), as it may be amended from time to time.
(q)Sustainable agriculture means a system of management practices that increase the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, provide cobenefits for public health, the economy, and the environment, and can help improve the health of communities by protecting and conserving water, reducing the use of synthetic farm inputs, protecting air quality, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity by supporting native species, reducing onfarm emissions of greenhouse gases, and increasing soil carbon content.
(r)Technical assistance means outreach, education, project planning assistance, project design assistance, funding application assistance, project implementation assistance, and project reporting assistance provided to project applicants.
(s)Tribal government means the government of a tribe, tribal agency, or subdivision thereof.
(t)Tribal organization means any of the following:
(1)A tribal government.
(2)A legally established organization of native people that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal government, is democratically elected by the adult members of the tribal community to be served by the legally established organization, and maximizes participation of native people in all phases of its activities.
(3)A nonprofit organization chartered under tribal government law or state law that is primarily led by and serves tribal communities.
(u)Tribal producer means either of the following:
(1)A member of a tribe who is involved in agricultural production or traditional Native American tending, gathering, hunting, or fishing practices.
(2)A member of a tribe who manages land traditionally for food, fiber, ceremonial, or other culture-based purposes.
(v)Tribe means a federally recognized Native American tribe or a nonfederally recognized Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community listed on the California tribal consultation list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
(w)Vulnerable population means a subgroup of a population within a region or community that faces a disproportionately heightened risk of, or increased sensitivity to, impacts of climate change and that lacks adequate resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from those impacts.
80703.The proceeds of bonds, excluding those issued in accordance with Section 80779, issued and sold pursuant to this division shall be deposited into the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. All moneys in the fund, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are hereby continuously appropriated without respect to fiscal years for the purposes of this division.
80704.Up to 5 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division may be used for administrative costs.
80705.(a)Except as provided in subdivision (b), not more than 10 percent of the moneys made available to an administering agency pursuant to each section of this division may be expended for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects to be funded by those moneys. This section does not restrict the expenditure of moneys ordinarily used by a state agency for preliminary plans, working drawings, and construction, as defined in the annual Budget Act for a capital outlay project or grant project.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a state agency administering moneys made available pursuant to a section of this division may use more than 10 percent of those moneys for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects pursuant to that section if the state agency determines that the additional moneys are needed for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)A state agency may allocate moneys pursuant to this division to a federal agency if the state agency determines the allocation is the most efficient way to implement this division on federally managed lands.
(d)(1)At least 50 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division shall be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations, except if the agency allocating those moneys reasonably determines that it cannot allocate the full amount of those moneys consistent with both this subdivisions requirement and the other applicable requirements of this division, the agency may, notwithstanding this subdivisions requirement, allocate those moneys consistent with the other applicable requirements of this division in a manner that furthers the fundamental purposes of this subdivision to the greatest extent feasible.
(2)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to paragraph (1), at least 10 percent shall be allocated for projects benefiting tribes, tribal producers, and tribal nonprofit organizations.
(e)All services, technical assistance, outreach, and support described in this division shall be provided in culturally competent ways that best serve the target population and are fully and equally accessible to those of limited English proficiency.
80706.(a)In the allocation and administration of funding authorized pursuant to this division, priority shall be given to projects that meet the criteria described in subdivision (b) and leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.
(b)To the extent practicable, when allocating moneys pursuant to this division, an agency shall prioritize projects that do any of the following, with greatest prioritization for projects that offer multiple health, economic, social, and environmental benefits:
(1)Support the needs expressed by, and leverage the expertise of, community-based organizations and coalitions, and the constituencies they represent.
(2)Invest in holistic community development efforts, especially in disadvantaged communities, that simultaneously promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation.
(3)Build the infrastructure needed to support and bolster socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, especially producers of color and small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(4)Expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet Californias climate goals and the regional needs of Californias communities.
(5)Emphasize partnerships between community-based and other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, research institutions, and local governments to support economic development and climate resilience.
(6)Support the formation and continued success of cooperatively owned and operated food and agriculture businesses in historically underserved communities.
(7)Address the needs of historically underserved communities, including the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and food system workers.
(8)Support the health, safety, and financial security of the food and agriculture workforce.
(9)Accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which degrade soil, air, and water quality and disproportionately harm farmworker communities and communities adjacent to farmland.
(10)Reduce food and nutrition insecurity and increase access to sustainable, healthy, and culturally relevant food for all Californians.
(11)Acknowledge, protect, and are led by indigenous knowledge and expertise to build more just, equitable, and resilient tribally led food and farming systems.
(12)Reduce inequities in land ownership and access, return land to tribal control, utilize comanagement of lands with tribes, protect farmland, facilitate land tenure, and support farm viability and transition.
(c)A project funded pursuant to this division shall include signage informing the public that the project received funding from the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80707.Moneys allocated pursuant to this division shall not be used to fulfill any environmental mitigation requirements imposed by law.
80708.For moneys allocated for a project that serves a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or tribal producer, the administering agency may provide advanced payments in accordance with Section 11019.1 of the Government Code.
80709.(a)Except as specified in subdivision (b), up to 10 percent of the moneys available to an administering agency pursuant to each chapter of this division may be allocated for technical assistance and capacity building. Each administering state agency shall operate a multidisciplinary technical assistance program for this purpose.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an administering agency may exceed the 10-percent limitation if it determines the additional funding is needed to provide technical assistance and capacity building for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, or tribal producers.
80710.Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to the development and adoption of guidelines, requirements, or selection criteria pursuant to this division.
80711.To the extent consistent with federal law, all proceeds of bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be available to individuals for application in accordance with the applicable chapter of this division regardless of their immigration status.
80712.If any moneys allocated pursuant to this division are not encumbered or expended by the recipient entity within the time period specified by the administering agency, the unexpended moneys shall revert to the administering agency for allocation consistent with the applicable chapter of this division.
2.Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture80720.The sum of nine hundred fifty million dollars ($950,000,000) one billion two hundred thirty-five million dollars ($1,235,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80720.5.Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter may be used for technical assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers in languages other than English.
80721.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, two hundred eighty million dollars ($280,000,000) three hundred twenty-five million dollars ($325,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture to improve the climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, and shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) One hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and improve water- and nutrient-holding capacity, in a manner that will increase carbon sequestration and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(b)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that also improve soil water-holding capacity and reduce nutrient runoff, and projects located in priority groundwater basins, as designated in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(c)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) Eighty million dollars ($80,000,000) for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, including, but not limited to, pasture-based practices, manure composting, solids separation, prescribed grazing, and compost bedded pack barns.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)Moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used to fund anaerobic digesters.
(4)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(d)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, tribal producers, and limited resource farmers or ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(e)(1)Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management.
(2)Projects eligible for a grant pursuant to this subdivision include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)The construction of climate-controlled rooms and greenhouses, including, but not limited to, offices, labs, and storage spaces.
(B)The purchase of equipment, including, but not limited to, vacuum and other monitoring and insect release equipment.
(C)The purchase of vehicles, including pickups, three-wheelers, and drones for transporting, monitoring, and releasing beneficial organisms.
(D)The purchase of electronic equipment for computing, communications, telecomputing, and community education.
(E)The purchase of monitoring equipment, and data collection and mapping software, to monitor and map the habitats of pollinators and beneficial pest predators that provide critical ecosystem services.
(3)In awarding grants pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that provide biological control tools for specific crop and pest problems of the region in which the insectary is located.
(4)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts.
80722.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, one hundred forty million dollars ($140,000,000) shall be available to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multibenefit flood plain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code). Eligible projects shall provide for flood plain expansion and habitat restoration, resulting in flood risk reduction and groundwater recharge. If a project includes a groundwater subbasin that includes users on tribal land, the implementing entity shall notify the relevant tribal governments, using existing communication or consultation policies if applicable.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80723.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects, including activities such as restoration of nearby habitat.
80724.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80725.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, four hundred five million dollars ($405,000,000) six hundred twenty-five million dollars ($625,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies for the protection and enhancement of agricultural lands, including the acquisition of fee title or agricultural conservation easements on agricultural lands, in order to improve climate resilience, pollinator habitat, California native biodiversity, flood protection, or groundwater recharge.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers. The Department of Conservation may award grants to land trusts or other qualified nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, or tribal entities for the purpose of acquiring agricultural lands for sale to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers, which shall be conditioned upon the sale occurring within three years of the acquisition. Any land acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to an agricultural conservation easement before its sale.
(2)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Conservation shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, tribal producers, and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(c)(1)Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the states renewable energy goals.(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.(d)(c)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) Three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000) to support the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code) through grants to groundwater sustainability agencies, counties, local agencies designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county, and nongovernmental organizations designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county for implementation of projects supporting reduced use of groundwater and multibenefit land repurposing at the basin scale.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(e)(d)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to resource conservation districts pursuant to Section 617 and tribal resource conservation districts to implement projects that restore or enhance riparian corridors on agricultural lands.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80726.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Agriculture for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure, including, but not limited to, nurseries, seed banks, and other related plant and seed propagation and distribution facilities, and to support the growing demand for riparian restoration, afforestation, habitat improvements, native plant and grass establishment, shrub and woody planting, and other agroecosystem improvements on natural and working lands.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80727.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to upgrade irrigation-district level water delivery systems to conserve water and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, including through the installation of pressurized pipes, real-time flow meters at farm gates, and on-demand water delivery software. If a project includes infrastructure that will be built on tribal land, the implementing entity shall notify the relevant tribal governments, using existing communication or consultation policies if applicable.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, limited resource farmers or ranchers, and tribal producers to implement practices supporting reduced use of groundwater in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for technical assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers in languages other than English.
80728.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the states renewable energy goals.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
3.Protecting the Health and Well-Being of Californias Farmworkers80730.The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80731.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, four hundred fifty million dollars ($450,000,000) shall be available to the Strategic Growth Council established pursuant to Section 75121 to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program administered pursuant to Section 75210 for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households. Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to Chapter 3.2 (commencing with Section 50515.2) of Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grant moneys pursuant to this section for a project only if the project meets all of the following requirements:(1)The project includes transit and transportation options, including, but not limited to, electric vehicle charging stations, shuttles to public transit or bus services, bus shelters, and benches.(2)The project is located within two miles of essential services, such as grocery stores, schools, and public libraries.(3)The project will include the deployment of broadband infrastructure.(4)The project includes adequate cooling.(5)The project does not involve financing or other agreements with terms that would result in residency restrictions based on immigration status.(c)The Strategic Growth Council shall develop guidelines for the awarding of grants pursuant to this section, and shall do both of the following:(1)In developing the guidelines, hold public meetings in at least three rural communities, including, but not limited to, meetings in the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and the Inland Empire. The Strategic Growth Council shall notify all tribal governments within 100 miles of the meeting location at least 60 days in advance.(2)Develop the guidelines in a manner that prioritizes awarding grants for projects in areas with the highest amount of farmworker housing need.(d)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grants pursuant to this section only to any of the following eligible recipients:(1)Developers.(2)Nonprofit organizations.(3)Public agencies.(4)Tribal governments.(e)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall not be used for the construction of single-gender dormitories or other single-gender housing projects.(f)The Strategic Growth Council may award additional grant moneys to an otherwise eligible affordable farmworker housing project to cover all or a portion of the costs associated with the construction of any of the following facilities if the facilities would both primarily serve the residents of the farmworker housing and be located in, or adjacent to, the farmworker housing:(1)Food hubs.(2)Community centers.(3)Food stores.(4)Health care clinics.(5)Childcare centers.(b)The Department of Housing and Community Development shall offer capitalized operating subsidy reserves for housing units in developments receiving funds pursuant to this section.
80732.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing.
(b)Except as specified in subdivision (d), a project shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section only if it meets both of the following requirements:
(1)The project provides a diversity of energy efficiency, water efficiency, heating, and cooling upgrades for farmworker housing, including, but not limited to, rooftop solar, solar-powered water heaters, home weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, portable or centralized heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems, heat pump installation, or energy-efficient windows.
(2)The project provides improved indoor air quality measures through the installation of air purifiers or other indoor air quality measures.
(c)All outreach and application materials used for the administration of grants pursuant to this section shall be translated into any non-English language spoken by a substantial number of community members served by a grant awarded pursuant to this section.
(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the Department of Community Services and Development may award grants pursuant to this section for community greening projects that reduce the heat island effect, including, but not limited to, community gardens, tree plantings, parks, or bioswales located in, or adjacent to, farmworker housing.
80733.(a)Of the moneys made available by Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 face masks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks.
(b)In distributing personal protection equipment stockpiled pursuant to this section, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall prioritize distributing that equipment through farmworker resource centers established pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and community-based nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(c)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used by nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
80734.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources, including, but not limited to, for projects that include septic tank upgrades or consolidation of septic systems to address water quality contamination and public health threats in farmworker communities and projects that promote resilience and adaptation of small community wastewater treatment facilities at risk from sea level rise or saltwater intrusion, with preference for projects that provide wastewater recharge recycling.
(b)The State Water Resources Control Board shall award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, technical assistance providers, and tribal governments.
80735.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and drinking water infrastructure for farmworkers.
(b)Moneys made available pursuant to this section shall be allocated for only the following purposes:
(1)The establishment of mobile farmworker resource centers, which shall be prioritized in areas where no state grant has been previously awarded for that purpose.
(2)Funding the deployment of infrastructure and equipment to provide safe, cool drinking water to farmworkers on job sites.
(c)Entities eligible to receive grants to establish farmworker resource centers include, but are not limited to, cities, counties, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(d)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for design, planning, staff, services, and programs provided through farmworker resource centers, including, but not limited to, the services specified in Section 12712 of the Government Code.
4.Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security80740.(a)The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
(b)To the maximum extent feasible, purchases made using moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter shall be made from certified organic producers or producers in a three-year organic transition period.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter facilitate the production of, access to, the preparation of, and the distribution of certified organic or otherwise sustainably grown and harvested and culturally relevant fruits and vegetables, grains, and legumes, and dairy, meat, and seafood sustainably produced or harvested locally or regionally.
80741.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred twenty million dollars ($320,000,000) shall be available to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers established pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 33380) of Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs, including, but not limited to, any of the following purposes:
(1)New construction or renovation of kitchen facilities, including central kitchens and associated warehouses, processing and storage facilities, and delivery and loading dock areas.
(2)New construction or renovation of meal preparation areas, meal service areas, or areas used for dining and drinking water access.
(3)Facility assessments and architectural and engineering services.
(4)Purchase of major equipment, including, but not limited to, refrigeration and freezer systems, dishwashers, convection ovens, steam tables, point-of-service systems, delivery vehicles, and refrigerated trucks.
(5)Payment of local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process.
(6)Technical assistance programs pursuant to subdivision (e).
(b)To the greatest extent possible, projects funded pursuant to this section shall be designed to further at least one of the following purposes:
(1)Increase student participation in school meal programs.
(2)Increase access to nutritious, organically or sustainably produced, minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared foods.
(3)Increase school food authority procurement from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(c)Kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure improvements funded pursuant to this section may be designed to do either or both of the following:
(1)To be used by multiple local educational agencies.
(2)When not in use by the local educational agency that owns the infrastructure, to be used by any of the following entities or for any of the following purposes:
(A)Food banks.
(B)Nonprofit medically tailored meal providers.
(C)Adult daycare centers.
(D)Childcare providers.
(E)Operators of summer and after school federal- and state-funded nutrition programs.
(F)Small-scale food businesses.
(G)Workforce development programs.
(H)Community education programs.
(I)Senior nutrition providers.
(J)Homeless shelters.
(K)Faith-based organizations.
(L)The University of California Cooperative Extension.
(M)CalFresh healthy living nutrition education programs.
(N)4-H programs.
(O)Food distribution programs serving tribes.
(d)(1)At least 75 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 50 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(2)At least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 80 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(e)Technical assistance programs funded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, supporting the efforts of administrators and staff of school nutrition programs to do any of the following:
(1)Increase student access and participation in school nutrition programs.
(2)Procure, prepare, and serve culturally relevant and traditional Native American foods.
(3)Increase student fruit and vegetable consumption.
(4)Expand procurement of farm-direct California-grown organic produce, including through the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.
(5)Expand the use of minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared food and preparation techniques, including development of culinary skills by food service staff.
(6)Overseeing the planning, architectural design, and construction oversight processes.
(7)Increase language accessibility.
(f)The Department of General Services may provide up to 50 percent of moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
80742.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans.
(b)Moneys allocated pursuant to this section may only be used to support the capacity enhancement and disaster resilience needs of the emergency food delivery system, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Capital investments needed to support the collection, storage, preparation, and distribution of foods produced within California to help support local and regional producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers, emphasizing local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, sustainably produced, nutritious, unique to their geographic areas, and meet the needs of food insecure populations.
(2)The provision of food that is culturally relevant to program participants, including traditional Native American foods.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize projects that procure from small- to mid-sized farms, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, farmers or ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, tribal communities, or producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(d)The State Department of Social Services shall establish an application process for allocating moneys pursuant to this section, which shall not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services.
(e)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize applicants that serve Medi-Cal eligible and uninsured populations and substantially integrate racial equity into the design and implementation of their proposed use of those moneys.
(f)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services may do one or both of the following:
(1)Provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by the recipient.
(2)Authorize at least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section to be used for personnel or other operational expenses.
80743.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred sixty million dollars ($360,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture, in coordination with the State Department of Public Health, the California Department of Aging, the State Department of Social Services, and other agencies, shall competitively award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, county, city, or tribal governments, tribal organizations, tribal entities, farmers, ranchers, or agricultural cooperatives.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects for which a one-time infusion of state dollars will help the project become self-sustaining.
(d)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall be allocated as follows:
(1)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to develop year-round infrastructure for certified farmers markets, as defined in Section 47004 of the Food and Agricultural Code, fishermens markets, as defined in Section 113780 of the Health and Safety Code, or tribe-operated or native-serving farmers markets, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)All-weather infrastructure such as canopies and shade structures, tables and seating, market stalls, restrooms and hand wash stations, tent weights and tie-downs, produce washing stations, barricades and bollards for traffic management and pedestrian safety, bicycle parking racks, and other equipment.
(B)Facilities for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and other nutrition education.
(C)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for market managers and producers to process CalFresh transactions.
(D)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for producers to accept the electronic cash value benefit through the program designed to implement the federal WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-314) pursuant to Section 123279 of the Health and Safety Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(E)Other equipment to support the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, as described in Section 3007 of Title 7 of the United States Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(2)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community-supported agriculture programs, as defined in Section 47060 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including, but not limited to, expenditures for either of the following purposes:
(A)Facilities and supplies for storing, packing, processing, or establishing a main pickup point for produce.
(B)Delivery vehicles for transporting food products directly to residents in disadvantaged communities.
(3)Seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) to advance tribes food sovereignty to grow, produce, procure, and distribute foods that reflect Native American culture and traditions and support the development of tribal producers and vendors.
(4)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community or school food gardens, including community food producers as defined in Section 113752 of the Health and Safety Code, city and suburban agriculture using backyard, rooftop, or balcony gardening, indoor gardening, community gardening in vacant lots and parks, roadside urban fringe agriculture, and livestock grazing in open space, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)Lumber, irrigation systems, electrification projects, tool sheds, greenhouses, fencing, onsite refrigeration for food storage, and vehicles.
(ii)Equipment for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and agricultural education.
(iii)Other community food garden equipment and supplies, which may include soil testing kits, soil amendments, raised beds, and drip irrigation systems.
(iv)Construction of community food gardens at multiunit housing facilities, vacant lots, places of worship, tribal communities, hospitals, and schools.
(v)Purchase of land, prioritizing ownership by community, accredited land trusts, and tribal governments.
(vi)Construction of developments that combine housing and necessary amenities with farms or community gardens and benefit residents of vulnerable populations or residents located in disadvantaged communities.
(vii)Construction of urban-edge agriculture parks to be leased as multiple small farms for organic or sustainable farming to produce food.
(viii)Local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process to create or expand a community food garden.
(ix)Projects that teach youth about careers in agriculture, emphasizing community gardening, horticulture, and education through outdoor, rooftop, and other gardening facilities to empower children and youth to grow their own food.
(B)At least 60 percent of the grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall benefit disadvantaged communities.
(C)A project funded pursuant to this paragraph shall not be required to have a minimum acreage or minimum amount of production income.
(5)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for use in disadvantaged communities and areas without easy access to supermarkets or grocery stores to create or expand mobile produce markets, mobile farmers markets, mobile food carts for selling produce, and mobile food pantries for distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)The purchase or lease of a bus, truck, van, cart, or other vehicle with space to display produce.
(ii)Retrofitting a vehicle or refrigeration and food safety infrastructure.
(iii)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for mobile produce markets and mobile farmers markets to process CalFresh and comparable tribal program transactions.
(iv)Mobile technology applications or digital tools for communicating the availability of foods.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph for the lease or purchase of vehicles shall prioritize fuel-efficient or zero-emission vehicles and necessary charging stations.
(6)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to create or expand healthy food access outlets, including to provide infrastructure investments for healthy food access outlets, including food retail, food service, and grocery or meal dropoff facilities, in affordable housing developments or through home delivery, including, but not limited to, any of the following expansions of community or tribal-owned healthy food access outlets:
(A)The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program created pursuant to Section 49015 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including refrigeration units provided to convenience stores, corner stores, food service facilities, grocery stores located in rural communities or on Indian reservations, and for use in mobile produce markets.
(B)Refrigeration units in community fridges run through mutual aid projects.
(7)(A)Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) for newly constructed or renovated community teaching kitchens that teach community members experiencing food insecurity how to plan, prepare, and cook using local, sustainable, and culturally relevant ingredients, emphasizing human health and well-being.
(B)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to purchase major equipment, including all of the following:
(i)Refrigeration and freezer systems.
(ii)Dishwashers.
(iii)Baking equipment.
(iv)Ranges and convection ovens.
(v)Tables and furniture.
(vi)Other cooking equipment, supplies, and utensils.
(C)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may also be used for both of the following purposes:
(i)Permits and inspection fees required by local governments and tribal agencies.
(ii)Video equipment used to make teaching kitchen classes available via videoconferencing, recordings, and other means.
(D)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to develop training programs for beginning food makers, food entrepreneurs, and farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers developing value-added products for the purpose of bringing jobs to their communities.
(8)(A)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to expand Food is Medicine programs administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, in collaboration with the California Department of Aging and the federal Indian Health Service.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall prioritize infrastructure for the production and distribution of medically tailored meals pursuant to the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or equivalent tribal programs, and to support produce prescriptions, food pharmacies, and other appropriate nutrition services that address medical needs, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i)Production scale commercial kitchens, including facilities and equipment.
(ii)Refrigeration and freezer capacity.
(iii)Refrigerated vehicles or trailers.
(iv)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and food pharmacies.
(C)For purposes of this paragraph, Food is Medicine programs are programs prescribed by health care professionals that are designed to meet the dietary and health needs of vulnerable people with chronic and acute illnesses through the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or equivalent tribal programs.
(e)The Department of Food and Agriculture may provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
(f)Technical assistance and workforce development moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be allocated for training to support the procurement of California-produced organic food, improving language accessibility, and implementation of the Local, Equitable Access to Food (LEAF) Program (Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 49020)) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
80744.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs under the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act (Division 8.5 (commencing with Section 9000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or equivalent tribal programs.
(b)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the California Department of Aging shall prioritize purchasing, upgrading, or refurbishing infrastructure for the production and distribution of congregate or home-delivered meals, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1)Production-scale commercial kitchens.
(2)Warming, refrigeration, or freezer capacity.
(3)Refrigerated vehicles.
(4)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of meals.
(5)Technological or data system infrastructure for monitoring client health outcomes.
(6)Food from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(7)Expanding infrastructure to support farm-to-seniors programs that improve older adults access to California grown and produced food, focusing on local organic produce, local meat, poultry, and dairy products, and culturally relevant traditional foods.
5.Strengthening Regional Food Economies80750.The sum of nine hundred fifteen million dollars ($915,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80751.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, four hundred seventy million dollars ($470,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To develop or upgrade aggregation, primary processing, cooling, and storage facilities for farm and fiber products, with a focus on regions that have insufficient capacity to meet the needs of farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers.
(2)To develop or upgrade processing facilities and supply chain infrastructure in urban and rural areas, including those that could increase capacity when needed to support emergency food storage and distribution.
(3)To support the development of value-added processing of agricultural products that increase income and market opportunities for farmers and ranchers, including upgrades to producer or handler facilities to comply with organic certification requirements.
(4)To develop or upgrade facilities that support the development and growth of new food and fiber businesses, including commercial or community kitchens and food and fiber processing, cooling, storage, and distribution facilities.
(b)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize all of the following:
(1)Projects that provide culturally relevant food access.
(2)Projects that support job creation, training, and placement.
(3)Projects, such as food hubs and marketing cooperatives, that meet the supply chain and marketing needs of locally and regionally produced food and fiber products.
(4)Projects, including agriculture centers and food hubs, that incorporate support for producers during public safety power shutoffs and disasters, including backup energy supply for recharging battery powered equipment, temporary housing of evacuated livestock, and food preservation equipment or cold storage.
(5)Projects that have been included or identified as needed in producer or community-guided regional food system planning processes implemented with local public and philanthropic moneys or local, state, or federal moneys.
(c)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to farmers, ranchers, nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal governments, and businesses, including cooperatives.
80752.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.
(b)The State Coastal Conservancy shall award grants pursuant to this section only to public entities, nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments, that provide fishing facilities and related infrastructure to the commercial fishing industry.
(c)For purposes of this section, fishing facilities and related infrastructure include, but are not limited to, fish handling and processing infrastructure and facilities, such as public hoists, ice machines, gear storage, refrigeration, freezers, and other processing facilities, and canneries.
80753.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To build, expand, or upgrade meat processing infrastructure for slaughter, cut and wrap, and value-added processing.
(2)To develop mobile meat processing facilities that meet federal inspection and certification guidelines and can serve multiple meat producers.
(3)To upgrade inspection protocols and data and communication hardware commensurate with a robust meat inspection service to enable interstate and intrastate sales of meat and poultry from state inspected plants.
(4)To reimburse all or a portion of the costs associated with meeting federal inspection and certification requirements.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only for the development of new or currently operating meat processing businesses, including tribal meat processing businesses, that have fewer than 150 employees.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize disadvantaged communities and tribal nations.
80754.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, one hundred ten million dollars ($110,000,000) shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
(b)Allocations received by a food processor pursuant to this section shall be used to demonstrate the food processors reliability and effectiveness.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to subdivision (a), the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize food processors that primarily serve local and regional in-state markets.
(d)Up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) may be used to provide technical assistance, including program outreach, to potential applicants for project development, completing applications, and project implementation. Of these moneys allocated for technical assistance, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize supporting small-scale food processors supplying local and regional in-state markets.
80755.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
(b)Nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies shall be eligible to be awarded a grant pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)A project eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A)Primarily serve a disadvantaged community.
(B)Provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)Maximize environmental, public health, and economic cobenefits to nearby disadvantaged communities.
(D)Include an advisory group or body that consists of community members from disadvantaged communities and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers involved with, or with knowledge of, sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, or indigenous land stewardship and agricultural practices.
(2)Projects eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, projects that purchase land or build infrastructure to develop regional farmer training sites to enable socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and farmworkers entering farm management to share agricultural and ecological knowledge.
(d)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize training sites in disadvantaged communities, and award the majority of the grant moneys to projects that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities or provide farm management and business training to farmworkers to develop new farm operations.
80756.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation Food and Agriculture for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers by funding existing and new programs to provide technical assistance and grants to purchase equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and create facilities that store tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and fund maintenance, training, and personnel costs.
(b)The purposes for which grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be used include, but are not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Grants to develop and expand equipment sharing, including to do either of the following:
(A)Purchase tools, equipment, and infrastructure to support conservation practices, including, but not limited to, soil health practices, water conservation, and wildfire resilience.
(B)Purchase equipment and infrastructure to enhance regional food systems and cooperative resources for small and underserved farmers.
(2)Technical assistance to support cooperative development, training on and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)Infrastructure eligible to be purchased using grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section includes, but is not limited to, roller crimpers, seed drills, wood chippers, compost spreaders, tractor trailers, processing equipment, and no-till drills.
(d)Entities eligible to be awarded a grant, or otherwise supported, pursuant to this section include resource conservation districts, tribal conservation districts, University of California Cooperative Extensions, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving small and underserved farmers.
(e)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section, the Department of Conservation Food and Agriculture shall do all of the following:
(1)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.(2)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraph (1), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.(3)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.(1)Provide grants for projects that primarily benefit socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(2)If there are moneys available after providing grants pursuant to paragraph (1), provide grants for projects that primarily benefit limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(3)If there are moneys available after providing grants pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), provide grants to eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
80757.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.
(b)To support immediate infrastructure deployments to create jobs and promote economic recovery, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery shall award grants or make performance payments for compost infrastructure, including compost spreaders for farms to apply compost, and food recovery projects at existing and new community composting facilities, onfarm composting facilities, and commercial composting facilities to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and nitrous oxide emissions and to support sequestration of carbon in the states agricultural and urban soils.
6.Fiscal Provisions80770.(a)Bonds in the total amount of three billion three hundred sixty-five million dollars ($3,365,000,000), three billion six hundred fifty million dollars ($3,650,000,000), not including the amount of any refunding bonds issued in accordance with Section 80779, may be issued and sold for the purposes expressed in this division and to reimburse the General Obligation Bond Expense Revolving Fund pursuant to Section 16724.5 of the Government Code. The bonds, when sold, issued, and delivered, shall be and constitute a valid and binding general obligation of the State of California, and the full faith and credit of the State of California is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of, and interest on, the bonds as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The Treasurer shall issue and sell the bonds authorized in subdivision (a) in the amount determined by the committee to be necessary or desirable pursuant to Section 80773. The bonds shall be issued and sold upon the terms and conditions specified in a resolution to be adopted by the committee pursuant to Section 16731 of the Government Code.
80771.(a)The bonds authorized by this division shall be prepared, executed, issued, sold, paid, and redeemed as provided in the State General Obligation Bond Law, and all of the provisions of that law apply to the bonds and to this division and are hereby incorporated in this division as though set forth in full in this division, except that subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 16727 of the Government Code shall not apply.
(b)For purposes of this division, the references to committee in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created in Section 80772, and the references to board in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
80772.(a)Solely for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and sale pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law of the bonds authorized by this division, the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee is hereby created.
(b)The committee consists of the Controller, the Treasurer, and the Director of Finance. Notwithstanding any other law, any member may designate a representative to act as that member in the members place for all purposes, as though the member were personally present.
(c)The Treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the committee. A majority of the committee may act for the committee.
80773.The committee shall determine by resolution if it is necessary or desirable to issue and sell bonds authorized pursuant to this division in order to carry out the actions specified in this division and, if so, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold. Successive issues of bonds may be authorized and sold to carry out those actions progressively, and it is not necessary that all of the bonds authorized to be issued be sold at any one time.
80774.There shall be collected each year and in the same manner and at the same time as other state revenue is collected, in addition to the ordinary revenues of the state, a sum in an amount required to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds becoming due each year. It is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in regard to the collection of the revenue to do and perform each and every act that is necessary to collect that additional sum.
80775.Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, there is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund in the State Treasury, for the purposes of this division and without regard to fiscal years, an amount that equals the total of the following:
(a)The sum annually necessary to pay the principal of, and interest on, bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division, as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The sum necessary to carry out Section 80777.
80776.The board may request the Pooled Money Investment Board to make a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account, in accordance with Section 16312 of the Government Code, for the purpose of carrying out this division less any amount withdrawn pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that the committee has, by resolution, authorized to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to this section and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The board shall execute any documents required by the Pooled Money Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan. Any amounts loaned shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division.
80777.For the purposes of carrying out this division, the Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General Fund of an amount not to exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that have been authorized by the committee to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to Section 80776 and not yet repaid, and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to this section and not yet returned to the General Fund. Any amounts withdrawn shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division. Any moneys made available under this section shall be returned to the General Fund from proceeds received from the sale of bonds for the purpose of carrying out this division.
80778.All moneys deposited into the fund that are derived from premium and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be reserved in the fund and shall be available for transfer to the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest, except those amounts derived from premium may be reserved and used to pay the cost of bond issuance before any transfer to the General Fund.
80779.The bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division may be refunded in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section 16780) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code, which is a part of the State General Obligation Bond Law. Approval by the voters of the state for the issuance of the bonds described in this division includes the approval of the issuance of any bonds issued to refund any bonds originally issued under this division or any previously issued refunding bonds. Any bond refunded with the proceeds of refunding bonds as authorized by this section may be legally defeased to the extent permitted by law in the manner and to the extent set forth in the resolution, as amended from time to time, authorizing that refunded bond.
80780.Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, or of the State General Obligation Bond Law, if the Treasurer sells bonds pursuant to this division that include a bond counsel opinion to the effect that the interest on the bonds is excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes under designated conditions or is otherwise entitled to any federal tax advantage, the Treasurer may maintain separate accounts for the investment of bond proceeds and for the investment of earnings on those proceeds. The Treasurer may use or direct the use of those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate, penalty, or other payment required under federal law or take any other action with respect to the investment and use of those bond proceeds or earnings required or desirable under federal law to maintain the tax-exempt status of those bonds and to obtain any other advantage under federal law on behalf of the funds of this state.
80781.The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this division are not proceeds of taxes as that term is used in Article XIII B of the California Constitution, and the disbursement of these proceeds is not subject to the limitations imposed by that article.
SEC. 2.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 3.Section 1 of this act shall take effect upon the approval by the voters of the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, as set forth in Section 1 of this act.
SEC. 4.Section 1 of this act shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election in accordance with provisions of the Government Code and the Elections Code governing the submission of a statewide measure to the voters.
SEC. 5.This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
In order to ensure that the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 is presented to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, it is necessary for this act to take effect immediately.
This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80701.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)A secure, resilient, sustainable, and equitable food and farming system is essential for the economic, cultural, and social well-being of the people of California. The climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the states food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. The scale of these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainability and resiliency, including investments in infrastructure related to the needs of farms, ranches, traditional food systems, fisheries, farmworkers, distribution systems, and food access.
(b)Climate change increases the risk of extreme weather events, biodiversity losses, catastrophic wildfires, and sea level rise, and presents a significant threat to the health, safety, and prosperity of the people of California.
(c)Californias low-income communities of color and tribal communities bear a disproportionate burden of climate changes adverse impacts, and many of these communities are still recovering from the inequitable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(d)Approximately 20.3 percent of Californians, or 7,900,000 people, are food insecure. Black, African American, Latino, Native American, and other Californians who identify with two or more racial categories have higher rates of food insecurity compared to their non-Latino, White counterparts.
(e)Food and nutrition insecurity affect Californians across their lifespans, starting in childhood for millions of children who grow up in poverty, and continuing into late adulthood for the nearly 40 percent of low-income Californians over 60 years of age who are food insecure.
(f)Farmworkers, a primarily Latino and immigrant workforce, who often lack access to safe, affordable housing and live in overcrowded housing conditions, are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, wildfire smoke exposure, heat-related illness, and work interruptions as the climate crisis intensifies.
(g)Latino children in California are 91 percent more likely than White children to attend schools with significant pesticide exposure.
(h)Low-income communities of color and tribal communities have less access to healthy and culturally relevant foods than higher income communities, and consequently face disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease.
(i)Food and fiber producers are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale producers and producers of color.
(j)With California agricultural land prices increasing 10 percent between 2021 and 2022, accessing agricultural land and securing land tenure continue to present obstacles for small-scale farmers. Farmers of color have also faced generations of discriminatory lending and market practices and ongoing barriers that prevent them from accessing land, culturally relevant technical support, and recovery initiatives.
(k)Food system essential workers are often required to continue working during ongoing emergencies, such as wildfires and extreme heat events, and too often are denied access to adequate safety measures to protect their personal health and the well-being of their family members and communities.
(l)Strategic investments in infrastructure projects that support Californias workforce, climate-resilient food and fiber production, regional food supply chains, increased access to healthy foods, tribal nations, and historically underserved communities will help build Californias economy, while increasing the states overall resilience against future catastrophes, including climate change.
(m)Sustainable food and fiber production, including certified organic production and climate-smart agriculture practices, increases the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, while providing cobenefits for the economy, public health, and the environment.
(n)During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemics disruption, a record number of farmers applied to the states climate-smart agriculture programs, showing a growing interest for state investments in climate friendly farming practices and indigenous traditional land management practices.
(o)Investing in farmworkers and food supply chain workers will help California meet the needs of a 21st century workforce while supporting the well-being of, and safe working conditions for, Californias essential workers.
(p)Building decentralized local and regional food system infrastructure, from production to consumption, will combat hunger and improve nutrition, create jobs, and increase long-term resilience in communities throughout the state.
(q)Rebuilding regional food infrastructure in key areas, including community and school commercial kitchens, fishing infrastructure, local meat processing and storage facilities, and food hubs for improved distribution, will increase healthy food access for Californians, especially for children, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.
(r)Discriminatory practices and their ongoing legacy mean that many food and fiber producers of color are unable to access technical and financial resources. An equitable economy requires direct distribution of funding to socially disadvantaged food and fiber producers and historically underserved communities of color through tribal governments and entities led by people of color.
(s)Empowering indigenous communities and tribal producers, who maintained balance with Californias ecosystems since time immemorial, through investments that acknowledge and support their unique traditions and cultural practices will build strong indigenous-driven food systems that benefit all Californians, wildlife, and the environment.
(t)The investment of public funds pursuant to this division will result in public, environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits, will address inequities in our food and farming systems, and is an opportunity to support healing at the community level for historic and ongoing traumas.
(u)Consumer interest in sustainably grown organic produce has surpassed in-state supplies in recent years, with demand for organic produce at unprecedented levels in recent years.
(v)To reduce food and nutrition insecurity and improve access to healthy and culturally relevant food, the investment of public moneys pursuant to this division is necessary in order to build the infrastructure necessary to support community-based resilient food systems. Communities and tribes will have control over where their foods come from, with the ability to focus on the public health, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts. In a more just food system, all communities can have both increased access to nutritious, affordable food and the ability to maintain a food system that prioritizes environmental and human needs.
(w)Existing law requires the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Council to implement an initiative to expand access to nutritious food in underserved, urban, and rural communities and to eliminate food deserts in California.
(x)Whereas it is fiscally prudent to leverage bond funding primarily for capital expenditures, additional state, local, and federal financial support should be provided to ensure adequate funding is available for project planning, community engagement, outreach, technical assistance, and organizational capacity. That financial support is particularly necessary when the proceeds of bonds will fund projects benefiting disadvantaged communities, tribal populations, and socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and other food producers.
80702.For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:
(a)Beginning farmer or rancher means a person who has not operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer, or has operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer for not more than 10 consecutive years, and will materially and substantially participate in the operation of a farm, ranch, or tribal producer operation.
(b)Committee means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created pursuant to Section 80772.
(c)Disadvantaged community means any of the following:
(1)A community located in a census tract in which the median household income of less than 80 percent of the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(2)A municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 20,000 persons or less, with an annual median household income that is less than 85 percent of the statewide median household income.
(3)A community located in a census tract in which the household income of at least 20 percent of the population is at or below the federal poverty level based on family size.
(d)Food hub means a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution of locally or regionally produced food products.
(e)Fund means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund created pursuant to Section 80703.
(f)Heat island effect means the effect of increased temperatures in urbanized areas caused by structures, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, that absorb and re-emit the suns heat more than natural landscapes such as farmland, forests, and water bodies.
(g)Limited resource farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(h)Local educational agency means a charter school, school district, tribal school, or county office of education.
(i)Nonprofit organization means a nonprofit corporation qualified to do business in California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(j)Priority population means any of the following:
(1)A community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)A low-income household, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3)A low-income community, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(k)Producer means a person, partnership, corporation, or otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products through agricultural arts on land that the entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possess. An entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possess property only during the harvest season for the agricultural products produced on that property is not a producer.
(l)Resilience means the ability of an entity or system, including an individual, community, or natural system, and its component parts to absorb, accommodate, and recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its structures and functions. In the case of natural and working lands, resilience also includes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the lands ability to sequester carbon.
(m)School food authorities has the same meaning as defined in Section 49563 of the Education Code.
(n)Small- and medium-sized farms means farms and ranches of 500 acres or less.
(o)Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(p)State General Obligation Bond Law means the State General Obligation Bond Law (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 16720) of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code), as it may be amended from time to time.
(q)Sustainable agriculture means a system of management practices that increase the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, provide cobenefits for public health, the economy, and the environment, and can help improve the health of communities by protecting and conserving water, reducing the use of synthetic farm inputs, protecting air quality, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity by supporting native species, reducing onfarm emissions of greenhouse gases, and increasing soil carbon content.
(r)Technical assistance means outreach, education, project planning assistance, project design assistance, funding application assistance, project implementation assistance, and project reporting assistance provided to project applicants.
(s)Tribal government means the government of a tribe, tribal agency, or subdivision thereof.
(t)Tribal organization means any of the following:
(1)A tribal government.
(2)A legally established organization of native people that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal government, is democratically elected by the adult members of the tribal community to be served by the legally established organization, and maximizes participation of native people in all phases of its activities.
(3)A nonprofit organization chartered under tribal government law or state law that is primarily led by and serves tribal communities.
(u)Tribal producer means either of the following:
(1)A member of a tribe who is involved in agricultural production or traditional Native American tending, gathering, hunting, or fishing practices.
(2)A member of a tribe who manages land traditionally for food, fiber, ceremonial, or other culture-based purposes.
(v)Tribe means a federally recognized Native American tribe or a nonfederally recognized Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community listed on the California tribal consultation list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
(w)Vulnerable population means a subgroup of a population within a region or community that faces a disproportionately heightened risk of, or increased sensitivity to, impacts of climate change and that lacks adequate resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from those impacts.
80703.The proceeds of bonds, excluding those issued in accordance with Section 80779, issued and sold pursuant to this division shall be deposited into the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. All moneys in the fund, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are hereby continuously appropriated without respect to fiscal years for the purposes of this division.
80704.Up to 5 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division may be used for administrative costs.
80705.(a)Except as provided in subdivision (b), not more than 10 percent of the moneys made available to an administering agency pursuant to each section of this division may be expended for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects to be funded by those moneys. This section does not restrict the expenditure of moneys ordinarily used by a state agency for preliminary plans, working drawings, and construction, as defined in the annual Budget Act for a capital outlay project or grant project.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a state agency administering moneys made available pursuant to a section of this division may use more than 10 percent of those moneys for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects pursuant to that section if the state agency determines that the additional moneys are needed for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)A state agency may allocate moneys pursuant to this division to a federal agency if the state agency determines the allocation is the most efficient way to implement this division on federally managed lands.
(d)(1)At least 50 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division shall be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations, except if the agency allocating those moneys reasonably determines that it cannot allocate the full amount of those moneys consistent with both this subdivisions requirement and the other applicable requirements of this division, the agency may, notwithstanding this subdivisions requirement, allocate those moneys consistent with the other applicable requirements of this division in a manner that furthers the fundamental purposes of this subdivision to the greatest extent feasible.
(2)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to paragraph (1), at least 10 percent shall be allocated for projects benefiting tribes, tribal producers, and tribal nonprofit organizations.
(e)All services, technical assistance, outreach, and support described in this division shall be provided in culturally competent ways that best serve the target population and are fully and equally accessible to those of limited English proficiency.
80706.(a)In the allocation and administration of funding authorized pursuant to this division, priority shall be given to projects that meet the criteria described in subdivision (b) and leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.
(b)To the extent practicable, when allocating moneys pursuant to this division, an agency shall prioritize projects that do any of the following, with greatest prioritization for projects that offer multiple health, economic, social, and environmental benefits:
(1)Support the needs expressed by, and leverage the expertise of, community-based organizations and coalitions, and the constituencies they represent.
(2)Invest in holistic community development efforts, especially in disadvantaged communities, that simultaneously promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation.
(3)Build the infrastructure needed to support and bolster socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, especially producers of color and small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(4)Expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet Californias climate goals and the regional needs of Californias communities.
(5)Emphasize partnerships between community-based and other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, research institutions, and local governments to support economic development and climate resilience.
(6)Support the formation and continued success of cooperatively owned and operated food and agriculture businesses in historically underserved communities.
(7)Address the needs of historically underserved communities, including the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and food system workers.
(8)Support the health, safety, and financial security of the food and agriculture workforce.
(9)Accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which degrade soil, air, and water quality and disproportionately harm farmworker communities and communities adjacent to farmland.
(10)Reduce food and nutrition insecurity and increase access to sustainable, healthy, and culturally relevant food for all Californians.
(11)Acknowledge, protect, and are led by indigenous knowledge and expertise to build more just, equitable, and resilient tribally led food and farming systems.
(12)Reduce inequities in land ownership and access, return land to tribal control, utilize comanagement of lands with tribes, protect farmland, facilitate land tenure, and support farm viability and transition.
(c)A project funded pursuant to this division shall include signage informing the public that the project received funding from the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80707.Moneys allocated pursuant to this division shall not be used to fulfill any environmental mitigation requirements imposed by law.
80708.For moneys allocated for a project that serves a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or tribal producer, the administering agency may provide advanced payments in accordance with Section 11019.1 of the Government Code.
80709.(a)Except as specified in subdivision (b), up to 10 percent of the moneys available to an administering agency pursuant to each chapter of this division may be allocated for technical assistance and capacity building. Each administering state agency shall operate a multidisciplinary technical assistance program for this purpose.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an administering agency may exceed the 10-percent limitation if it determines the additional funding is needed to provide technical assistance and capacity building for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, or tribal producers.
80710.Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to the development and adoption of guidelines, requirements, or selection criteria pursuant to this division.
80711.To the extent consistent with federal law, all proceeds of bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be available to individuals for application in accordance with the applicable chapter of this division regardless of their immigration status.
80712.If any moneys allocated pursuant to this division are not encumbered or expended by the recipient entity within the time period specified by the administering agency, the unexpended moneys shall revert to the administering agency for allocation consistent with the applicable chapter of this division.
2.Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture80720.The sum of nine hundred fifty million dollars ($950,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80720.5.Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter may be used for technical assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers in languages other than English.
80721.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, two hundred eighty million dollars ($280,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture to improve the climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, and shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and improve water- and nutrient-holding capacity, in a manner that will increase carbon sequestration and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(b)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that also improve soil water-holding capacity and reduce nutrient runoff, and projects located in priority groundwater basins, as designated in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(c)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, including, but not limited to, pasture-based practices, manure composting, solids separation, prescribed grazing, and compost bedded pack barns.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)Moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used to fund anaerobic digesters.
(4)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(d)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, tribal producers, and limited resource farmers or ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(e)(1)Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management.
(2)Projects eligible for a grant pursuant to this subdivision include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)The construction of climate-controlled rooms and greenhouses, including, but not limited to, offices, labs, and storage spaces.
(B)The purchase of equipment, including, but not limited to, vacuum and other monitoring and insect release equipment.
(C)The purchase of vehicles, including, but not limited to, for transport for monitoring and releasing beneficial organisms, such as including pickups, three-wheelers, and drones. drones for transporting, monitoring, and releasing beneficial organisms.
(D)The purchase of electronic equipment for computing, communications, telecomputing, and community education.
(E)The purchase of monitoring equipment, and data collection and mapping software, to monitor and map the habitats of pollinators and beneficial pest predators that provide critical ecosystem services.
(3)In awarding grants pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that provide biological control tools for specific crop and pest problems of the region in which the insectary is located.
(4)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts.
80722.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, one hundred forty million dollars ($140,000,000) shall be available to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multibenefit flood plain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code). Eligible projects shall provide for flood plain expansion and habitat restoration, resulting in flood risk reduction and groundwater recharge. If a project includes a groundwater subbasin that includes users on tribal land, the implementing entity shall notify the relevant tribal governments, using existing communication or consultation policies if applicable.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80723.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects, including activities such as restoration of nearby habitat.
80724.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80725.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, four hundred five million dollars ($405,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies for the protection and enhancement of agricultural lands, including the acquisition of fee title or agricultural conservation easements on agricultural lands, in order to improve climate resilience, pollinator habitat, California native biodiversity, flood protection, or groundwater recharge.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers. The Department of Conservation may award grants to land trusts or other qualified nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, or tribal entities for the purpose of acquiring agricultural lands for sale to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers, which shall be conditioned upon the sale occurring within three years of the acquisition. Any land acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to an agricultural conservation easement before its sale.
(2)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Conservation shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, tribal producers, and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(c)(1)Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the states renewable energy goals.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(d)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) to support the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code) through grants to groundwater sustainability agencies, counties, local agencies designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county, and nongovernmental organizations designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county for implementation of projects supporting reduced use of groundwater and multibenefit land repurposing at the basin scale.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(e)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to resource conservation districts pursuant to Section 617 and tribal resource conservation districts to implement projects that restore or enhance riparian corridors on agricultural lands.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80726.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Agriculture for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure, including, but not limited to, nurseries, seed banks, and other related plant and seed propagation and distribution facilities, and to support the growing demand for riparian restoration, afforestation, habitat improvements, native plant and grass establishment, shrub and woody planting, and other agroecosystem improvements on natural and working lands.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80727.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to upgrade irrigation-district level water delivery systems to conserve water and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, including through the installation of pressurized pipes, real-time flow meters at farm gates, and on-demand water delivery software. If a project includes infrastructure that will be built on tribal land, the implementing entity shall notify the relevant tribal governments, using existing communication or consultation policies if applicable.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, limited resource farmers or ranchers, and tribal producers to implement practices supporting reduced use of groundwater in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for technical assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers in languages other than English.
3.Protecting the Health and Well-Being of Californias Farmworkers80730.The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80731.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, four hundred fifty million dollars ($450,000,000) shall be available to the Strategic Growth Council established pursuant to Section 75121 to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program administered pursuant to Section 75210 for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
(b)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grant moneys pursuant to this section for a project only if the project meets all of the following requirements:
(1)The project includes transit and transportation options, including, but not limited to, electric vehicle charging stations, shuttles to public transit or bus services, bus shelters, and benches.
(2)The project is located within two miles of essential services, such as grocery stores, schools, and public libraries.
(3)The project will include the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
(4)The project includes adequate cooling.
(5)The project does not involve financing or other agreements with terms that would result in residency restrictions based on immigration status.
(c)The Strategic Growth Council shall develop guidelines for the awarding of grants pursuant to this section, and shall do both of the following:
(1)In developing the guidelines, hold public meetings in at least three rural communities, including, but not limited to, meetings in the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and the Inland Empire. The Strategic Growth Council shall notify all tribal governments within 100 miles of the meeting location at least 60 days in advance.
(2)Develop the guidelines in a manner that prioritizes awarding grants for projects in areas with the highest amount of farmworker housing need.
(d)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grants pursuant to this section only to any of the following eligible recipients:
(1)Developers.
(2)Nonprofit organizations.
(3)Public agencies.
(4)Tribal governments.
(e)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall not be used for the construction of single-gender dormitories or other single-gender housing projects.
(f)The Strategic Growth Council may award additional grant moneys to an otherwise eligible affordable farmworker housing project to cover all or a portion of the costs associated with the construction of any of the following facilities if the facilities would both primarily serve the residents of the farmworker housing and be located in, or adjacent to, the farmworker housing:
(1)Food hubs.
(2)Community centers.
(3)Food stores.
(4)Health care clinics.
(5)Childcare centers.
80732.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing.
(b)Except as specified in subdivision (d), a project shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section only if it meets both of the following requirements:
(1)The project provides a diversity of energy efficiency, water efficiency, heating, and cooling upgrades for farmworker housing, including, but not limited to, rooftop solar, solar-powered water heaters, home weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, portable or centralized heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems, heat pump installation, or energy-efficient windows.
(2)The project provides improved indoor air quality measures through the installation of air purifiers or other indoor air quality measures.
(c)All outreach and application materials used for the administration of grants pursuant to this section shall be translated into any non-English language spoken by a substantial number of community members served by a grant awarded pursuant to this section.
(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the Department of Community Services and Development may award grants pursuant to this section for community greening projects that reduce the heat island effect, including, but not limited to, community gardens, tree plantings, parks, or bioswales located in, or adjacent to, farmworker housing.
80733.(a)Of the moneys made available by Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 face masks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks.
(b)In distributing personal protection equipment stockpiled pursuant to this section, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall prioritize distributing that equipment through farmworker resource centers established pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(c)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used by nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
80734.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources, including, but not limited to, for projects that include septic tank upgrades or consolidation of septic systems to address water quality contamination and public health threats in farmworker communities and projects that promote resilience and adaptation of small community wastewater treatment facilities at risk from sea level rise or saltwater intrusion, with preference for projects that provide wastewater recharge recycling.
(b)The State Water Resources Control Board shall award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, technical assistance providers, and tribal governments.
80735.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and drinking water infrastructure for farmworkers.
(b)Moneys made available pursuant to this section shall be allocated for only the following purposes:
(1)The establishment of mobile farmworker resource centers, which shall be prioritized in areas where no state grant has been previously awarded for that purpose.
(2)Funding the deployment of infrastructure and equipment to provide safe, cool drinking water to farmworkers on job sites.
(c)Entities eligible to receive grants to establish farmworker resource centers include, but are not limited to, cities, counties, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(d)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for design, planning, staff, services, and programs provided through farmworker resource centers, including, but not limited to, the services specified in Section 12712 of the Government Code.
4.Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security80740.(a)The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
(b)To the maximum extent feasible, purchases made using moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter shall be made from certified organic producers or producers in a three-year organic transition period.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter facilitate the production of, access to, the preparation of, and the distribution of certified organic or otherwise sustainably grown and harvested and culturally relevant fruits and vegetables, grains, and legumes, and dairy, meat, and seafood sustainably produced or harvested locally or regionally.
80741.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred twenty million dollars ($320,000,000) shall be available to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers established pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 33380) of Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs, including, but not limited to, any of the following purposes:
(1)New construction or renovation of kitchen facilities, including central kitchens and associated warehouses, processing and storage facilities, and delivery and loading dock areas.
(2)New construction or renovation of meal preparation areas, meal service areas, or areas used for dining and drinking water access.
(3)Facility assessments and architectural and engineering services.
(4)Purchase of major equipment, including, but not limited to, refrigeration and freezer systems, dishwashers, convection ovens, steam tables, point-of-service systems, delivery vehicles, and refrigerated trucks.
(5)Payment of local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process.
(6)Technical assistance programs pursuant to subdivision (e).
(b)To the greatest extent possible, projects funded pursuant to this section shall be designed to further at least one of the following purposes:
(1)Increase student participation in school meal programs.
(2)Increase access to nutritious, organically or sustainably produced, minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared foods.
(3)Increase school food authority procurement from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(c)Kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure improvements funded pursuant to this section may be designed to do either or both of the following:
(1)To be used by multiple local educational agencies.
(2)When not in use by the local educational agency that owns the infrastructure, to be used by any of the following entities or for any of the following purposes:
(A)Food banks.
(B)Nonprofit medically tailored meal providers.
(C)Adult daycare centers.
(D)Childcare providers.
(E)Operators of summer and after school federal- and state-funded nutrition programs.
(F)Small-scale food businesses.
(G)Workforce development programs.
(H)Community education programs.
(I)Senior nutrition providers.
(J)Homeless shelters.
(K)Faith-based organizations.
(L)The University of California Cooperative Extension.
(M)CalFresh healthy living nutrition education programs.
(N)4-H programs.
(O)Food distribution programs serving tribes.
(d)(1)At least 75 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 50 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(2)At least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 80 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(e)Technical assistance programs funded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, supporting the efforts of administrators and staff of school nutrition programs to do any of the following:
(1)Increase student access and participation in school nutrition programs.
(2)Procure, prepare, and serve culturally relevant and traditional Native American foods.
(3)Increase student fruit and vegetable consumption.
(4)Expand procurement of farm-direct California-grown organic produce, including through the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.
(5)Expand the use of minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared food and preparation techniques, including development of culinary skills by food service staff.
(6)Overseeing the planning, architectural design, and construction oversight processes.
(7)Increase language accessibility.
(f)The Department of General Services may provide up to 50 percent of moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
80742.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans.
(b)Moneys allocated pursuant to this section may only be used to support the capacity enhancement and disaster resilience needs of the emergency food delivery system, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Capital investments needed to support the collection, storage, preparation, and distribution of foods produced within California to help support local and regional producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers, emphasizing local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, sustainably produced, nutritious, unique to their geographic areas, and meet the needs of food insecure populations.
(2)The provision of food that is culturally relevant to program participants, including traditional Native American foods.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize projects that procure from small- to mid-sized farms, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, farmers or ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, tribal communities, or producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(d)The State Department of Social Services shall establish an application process for allocating moneys pursuant to this section, which shall not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services.
(e)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize applicants that serve Medi-Cal eligible and uninsured populations and substantially integrate racial equity into the design and implementation of their proposed use of those moneys.
(f)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services may do one or both of the following:
(1)Provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by the recipient.
(2)Authorize at least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section to be used for personnel or other operational expenses.
80743.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred sixty million dollars ($360,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture, in coordination with the State Department of Public Health, the California Department of Aging, the State Department of Social Services, and other agencies, shall competitively award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, county, city, or tribal governments, tribal organizations, tribal entities, farmers, ranchers, or agricultural cooperatives.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects for which a one-time infusion of state dollars will help the project become self-sustaining.
(d)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall be allocated as follows:
(1)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to develop year-round infrastructure for certified farmers markets, as defined in Section 47004 of the Food and Agricultural Code, fishermens markets, as defined in Section 113780 of the Health and Safety Code, or tribe-operated or native-serving farmers markets, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)All-weather infrastructure such as canopies and shade structures, tables and seating, market stalls, restrooms and hand wash stations, tent weights and tie-downs, produce washing stations, barricades and bollards for traffic management and pedestrian safety, bicycle parking racks, and other equipment.
(B)Facilities for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and other nutrition education.
(C)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for market managers and producers to process CalFresh transactions.
(D)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for producers to accept the electronic cash value benefit through the program designed to implement the federal WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-314) pursuant to Section 123279 of the Health and Safety Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(E)Other equipment to support the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, as described in Section 3007 of Title 7 of the United States Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(2)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community-supported agriculture programs, as defined in Section 47060 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including, but not limited to, expenditures for either of the following purposes:
(A)Facilities and supplies for storing, packing, processing, or establishing a main pickup point for produce.
(B)Delivery vehicles for transporting food products directly to residents in disadvantaged communities.
(3)Seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) to advance tribes food sovereignty to grow, produce, procure, and distribute foods that reflect Native American culture and traditions and support the development of tribal producers and vendors.
(4)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community or school food gardens, including community food producers as defined in Section 113752 of the Health and Safety Code, city and suburban agriculture using backyard, rooftop, or balcony gardening, indoor gardening, community gardening in vacant lots and parks, roadside urban fringe agriculture, and livestock grazing in open space, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)Lumber, irrigation systems, electrification projects, tool sheds, greenhouses, fencing, onsite refrigeration for food storage, and vehicles.
(ii)Equipment for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and agricultural education.
(iii)Other community food garden equipment and supplies, which may include soil testing kits, soil amendments, raised beds, and drip irrigation systems.
(iv)Construction of community food gardens at multiunit housing facilities, vacant lots, places of worship, tribal communities, hospitals, and schools.
(v)Purchase of land, prioritizing ownership by community, accredited land trusts, and tribal governments.
(vi)Construction of developments that combine housing and necessary amenities with farms or community gardens and benefit residents of vulnerable populations or residents located in disadvantaged communities.
(vii)Construction of urban-edge agriculture parks to be leased as multiple small farms for organic or sustainable farming to produce food.
(viii)Local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process to create or expand a community food garden.
(ix)Projects that teach youth about careers in agriculture, emphasizing community gardening, horticulture, and education through outdoor, rooftop, and other gardening facilities to empower children and youth to grow their own food.
(B)At least 60 percent of the grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall benefit disadvantaged communities.
(C)A project funded pursuant to this paragraph shall not be required to have a minimum acreage or minimum amount of production income.
(5)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for use in disadvantaged communities and areas without easy access to supermarkets or grocery stores to create or expand mobile produce markets, mobile farmers markets, mobile food carts for selling produce, and mobile food pantries for distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)The purchase or lease of a bus, truck, van, cart, or other vehicle with space to display produce.
(ii)Retrofitting a vehicle or refrigeration and food safety infrastructure.
(iii)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for mobile produce markets and mobile farmers markets to process CalFresh and comparable tribal program transactions.
(iv)Mobile technology applications or digital tools for communicating the availability of foods.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph for the lease or purchase of vehicles shall prioritize fuel-efficient or zero-emission vehicles and necessary charging stations.
(6)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to create or expand healthy food access outlets, including to provide infrastructure investments for healthy food access outlets, including food retail, food service, and grocery or meal dropoff facilities, in affordable housing developments or through home delivery, including, but not limited to, any of the following expansions of community or tribal-owned healthy food access outlets:
(A)The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program created pursuant to Section 49015 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including refrigeration units provided to convenience stores, corner stores, food service facilities, grocery stores located in rural communities or on Indian reservations, and for use in mobile produce markets.
(B)Refrigeration units in community fridges run through mutual aid projects.
(7)(A)Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) for newly constructed or renovated community teaching kitchens that teach community members experiencing food insecurity how to plan, prepare, and cook using local, sustainable, and culturally relevant ingredients, emphasizing human health and well-being.
(B)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to purchase major equipment, including all of the following:
(i)Refrigeration and freezer systems.
(ii)Dishwashers.
(iii)Baking equipment.
(iv)Ranges and convection ovens.
(v)Tables and furniture.
(vi)Other cooking equipment, supplies, and utensils.
(C)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may also be used for both of the following purposes:
(i)Permits and inspection fees required by local governments and tribal agencies.
(ii)Video equipment used to make teaching kitchen classes available via videoconferencing, recordings, and other means.
(D)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to develop training programs for beginning food makers, food entrepreneurs, and farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers developing value-added products for the purpose of bringing jobs to their communities.
(8)(A)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to expand Food is Medicine programs administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, in collaboration with the California Department of Aging and the federal Indian Health Service.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall prioritize infrastructure for the production and distribution of medically tailored meals pursuant to the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or equivalent tribal programs, and to support produce prescriptions, food pharmacies, and other appropriate nutrition services that address medical needs, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i)Production scale commercial kitchens, including facilities and equipment.
(ii)Refrigeration and freezer capacity.
(iii)Refrigerated vehicles or trailers.
(iv)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and food pharmacies.
(C)For purposes of this paragraph, Food is Medicine programs are programs prescribed by health care professionals that are designed to meet the dietary and health needs of vulnerable people with chronic and acute illnesses through the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or equivalent tribal programs.
(e)The Department of Food and Agriculture may provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
(f)Technical assistance and workforce development moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be allocated for training to support the procurement of California-produced organic food, improving language accessibility, and implementation of the Local, Equitable Access to Food (LEAF) Program (Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 49020)) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
80744.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs under the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act (Division 8.5 (commencing with Section 9000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or equivalent tribal programs.
(b)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the California Department of Aging shall prioritize purchasing, upgrading, or refurbishing infrastructure for the production and distribution of congregate or home-delivered meals, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1)Production-scale commercial kitchens.
(2)Warming, refrigeration, or freezer capacity.
(3)Refrigerated vehicles.
(4)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of meals.
(5)Technological or data system infrastructure for monitoring client health outcomes.
(6)Food from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(7)Expanding infrastructure to support farm-to-seniors programs that improve older adults access to California grown and produced food, focusing on local organic produce, local meat, poultry, and dairy products, and culturally relevant traditional foods.
5.Strengthening Regional Food Economies80750.The sum of nine hundred fifteen million dollars ($915,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80751.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, four hundred seventy million dollars ($470,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To develop or upgrade aggregation, primary processing, cooling, and storage facilities for farm and fiber products, with a focus on regions that have insufficient capacity to meet the needs of farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers.
(2)To develop or upgrade processing facilities and supply chain infrastructure in urban and rural areas, including those that could increase capacity when needed to support emergency food storage and distribution.
(3)To support the development of value-added processing of agricultural products that increase income and market opportunities for farmers and ranchers, including upgrades to producer or handler facilities to comply with organic certification requirements.
(4)To develop or upgrade facilities that support the development and growth of new food and fiber businesses, including commercial or community kitchens and food and fiber processing, cooling, storage, and distribution facilities.
(b)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize all of the following:
(1)Projects that provide culturally relevant food access.
(2)Projects that support job creation, training, and placement.
(3)Projects, such as food hubs and marketing cooperatives, that meet the supply chain and marketing needs of locally and regionally produced food and fiber products.
(4)Projects, including agriculture centers and food hubs, that incorporate support for producers during public safety power shutoffs and disasters, including backup energy supply for recharging battery powered equipment, temporary housing of evacuated livestock, and food preservation equipment or cold storage.
(5)Projects that have been included or identified as needed in producer or community-guided regional food system planning processes implemented with local public and philanthropic moneys or local, state, or federal moneys.
(c)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to farmers, ranchers, nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal governments, and businesses, including cooperatives.
80752.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.
(b)The State Coastal Conservancy shall award grants pursuant to this section only to public entities, nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments, that provide fishing facilities and related infrastructure to the commercial fishing industry.
(c)For purposes of this section, fishing facilities and related infrastructure include, but are not limited to, fish handling and processing infrastructure and facilities, such as public hoists, ice machines, gear storage, refrigeration, freezers, and other processing facilities, and canneries.
80753.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To build, expand, or upgrade meat processing infrastructure for slaughter, cut and wrap, and value-added processing.
(2)To develop mobile meat processing facilities that meet federal inspection and certification guidelines and can serve multiple meat producers.
(3)To upgrade inspection protocols and data and communication hardware commensurate with a robust meat inspection service to enable interstate and intrastate sales of meat and poultry from state inspected plants.
(4)To reimburse all or a portion of the costs associated with meeting federal inspection and certification requirements.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only for the development of new or currently operating meat processing businesses, including tribal meat processing businesses, that have fewer than 150 employees.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize disadvantaged communities and tribal nations.
80754.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, one hundred ten million dollars ($110,000,000) shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
(b)Allocations received by a food processor pursuant to this section shall be used to demonstrate the food processors reliability and effectiveness.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to subdivision (a), the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize food processors that primarily serve local and regional in-state markets.
(d)Up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) may be used to provide technical assistance, including program outreach, to potential applicants for project development, completing applications, and project implementation. Of these moneys allocated for technical assistance, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize supporting small-scale food processors supplying local and regional in-state markets.
80755.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
(b)Nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies shall be eligible to be awarded a grant pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)A project eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A)Primarily serve a disadvantaged community.
(B)Provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)Maximize environmental, public health, and economic cobenefits to nearby disadvantaged communities.
(D)Include an advisory group or body that consists of community members from disadvantaged communities and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers involved with, or with knowledge of, sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, or indigenous land stewardship and agricultural practices.
(2)Projects eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, projects that purchase land or build infrastructure to develop regional farmer training sites to enable socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and farmworkers entering farm management to share agricultural and ecological knowledge.
(d)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize training sites in disadvantaged communities, and award the majority of the grant moneys to projects that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities or provide farm management and business training to farmworkers to develop new farm operations.
80756.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers by funding existing and new programs to provide technical assistance and grants to purchase equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and create facilities that store tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and fund maintenance, training, and personnel costs.
(b)The purposes for which grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be used include, but are not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Grants to develop and expand equipment sharing, including to do either of the following:
(A)Purchase tools, equipment, and infrastructure to support conservation practices, including, but not limited to, soil health practices, water conservation, and wildfire resilience.
(B)Purchase equipment and infrastructure to enhance regional food systems and cooperative resources for small and underserved farmers.
(2)Technical assistance to support cooperative development, training on and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)Infrastructure eligible to be purchased using grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section includes, but is not limited to, roller crimpers, seed drills, wood chippers, compost spreaders, tractor trailers, processing equipment, and no-till drills.
(d)Entities eligible to be awarded a grant, or otherwise supported, pursuant to this section include resource conservation districts, tribal conservation districts, University of California Cooperative Extensions, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving small and underserved farmers.
(e)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section, the Department of Conservation shall do all of the following:
(1)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
(2)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraph (1), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(3)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
80757.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.
(b)To support immediate infrastructure deployments to create jobs and promote economic recovery, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery shall award grants or make performance payments for compost infrastructure, including compost spreaders for farms to apply compost, and food recovery projects at existing and new community composting facilities, onfarm composting facilities, and commercial composting facilities to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and nitrous oxide emissions and to support sequestration of carbon in the states agricultural and urban soils.
6.Fiscal Provisions80770.(a)Bonds in the total amount of three billion three hundred sixty-five million dollars ($3,365,000,000), not including the amount of any refunding bonds issued in accordance with Section 80779, may be issued and sold for the purposes expressed in this division and to reimburse the General Obligation Bond Expense Revolving Fund pursuant to Section 16724.5 of the Government Code. The bonds, when sold, issued, and delivered, shall be and constitute a valid and binding general obligation of the State of California, and the full faith and credit of the State of California is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of, and interest on, the bonds as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The Treasurer shall issue and sell the bonds authorized in subdivision (a) in the amount determined by the committee to be necessary or desirable pursuant to Section 80773. The bonds shall be issued and sold upon the terms and conditions specified in a resolution to be adopted by the committee pursuant to Section 16731 of the Government Code.
80771.(a)(1)The bonds authorized by this division shall be prepared, executed, issued, sold, paid, and redeemed as provided in the State General Obligation Bond Law, and all of the provisions of that law apply to the bonds and to this division and are hereby incorporated in this division as though set forth in full in this division, except that subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 16727 of the Government Code shall not apply.
(2)Proceeds from the sale of any bonds issued pursuant to this division shall be used only for any of the following purposes:(A)For the purposes authorized in this division.(B)To repay moneys borrowed in anticipation of the sale of the bonds, including interest, and to pay interest on the bonds themselves.(C)To pay the costs of a state agency with responsibility for administering the bond program, including costs incurred by the Treasurer, Controller, Department of Finance, and State Public Works Board for staff, operating expenses, and equipment, and consultants costs.(D)To pay the costs of the Treasurers office directly associated with the sale and payment of the bonds, including, but not limited to, underwriting discounts, costs of printing, bond counsel, registration, and fees of trustees.(b)For purposes of this division, the references to committee in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created in Section 80772, and the references to board in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
80772.(a)Solely for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and sale pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law of the bonds authorized by this division, the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee is hereby created.
(b)The committee consists of the Controller, the Treasurer, and the Director of Finance. Notwithstanding any other law, any member may designate a representative to act as that member in the members place for all purposes, as though the member were personally present.
(c)The Treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the committee. A majority of the committee may act for the committee.
80773.The committee shall determine by resolution if it is necessary or desirable to issue and sell bonds authorized pursuant to this division in order to carry out the actions specified in this division and, if so, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold. Successive issues of bonds may be authorized and sold to carry out those actions progressively, and it is not necessary that all of the bonds authorized to be issued be sold at any one time.
80774.There shall be collected each year and in the same manner and at the same time as other state revenue is collected, in addition to the ordinary revenues of the state, a sum in an amount required to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds becoming due each year. It is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in regard to the collection of the revenue to do and perform each and every act that is necessary to collect that additional sum.
80775.Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, there is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund in the State Treasury, for the purposes of this division and without regard to fiscal years, an amount that equals the total of the following:
(a)The sum annually necessary to pay the principal of, and interest on, bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division, as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The sum necessary to carry out Section 80777.
80776.The board may request the Pooled Money Investment Board to make a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account, in accordance with Section 16312 of the Government Code, for the purpose of carrying out this division less any amount withdrawn pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that the committee has, by resolution, authorized to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to this section and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The board shall execute any documents required by the Pooled Money Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan. Any amounts loaned shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division.
80777.For the purposes of carrying out this division, the Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General Fund of an amount not to exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that have been authorized by the committee to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to Section 80776 and not yet repaid, and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to this section and not yet returned to the General Fund. Any amounts withdrawn shall be deposited in into the fund. fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division. Any moneys made available under this section shall be returned to the General Fund from proceeds received from the sale of bonds for the purpose of carrying out this division.
80778.All moneys deposited into the fund that are derived from premium and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be reserved in the fund and shall be available for transfer to the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest, except those amounts derived from premium may be reserved and used to pay the cost of bond issuance before any transfer to the General Fund.
80779.The bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division may be refunded in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section 16780) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code, which is a part of the State General Obligation Bond Law. Approval by the voters of the state for the issuance of the bonds described in this division includes the approval of the issuance of any bonds issued to refund any bonds originally issued under this division or any previously issued refunding bonds. Any bond refunded with the proceeds of refunding bonds as authorized by this section may be legally defeased to the extent permitted by law in the manner and to the extent set forth in the resolution, as amended from time to time, authorizing that refunded bond.
80780.Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, or of the State General Obligation Bond Law, if the Treasurer sells bonds pursuant to this division that include a bond counsel opinion to the effect that the interest on the bonds is excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes under designated conditions or is otherwise entitled to any federal tax advantage, the Treasurer may maintain separate accounts for the investment of bond proceeds and for the investment of earnings on those proceeds. The Treasurer may use or direct the use of those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate, penalty, or other payment required under federal law or take any other action with respect to the investment and use of those bond proceeds or earnings required or desirable under federal law to maintain the tax-exempt status of those bonds and to obtain any other advantage under federal law on behalf of the funds of this state.
80781.The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this division are not proceeds of taxes as that term is used in Article XIII B of the California Constitution, and the disbursement of these proceeds is not subject to the limitations imposed by that article.
SEC. 2.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 3.Section 1 of this act shall take effect upon the approval by the voters of the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, as set forth in Section 1 of this act.
SEC. 4.Section 1 of this act shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election in accordance with provisions of the Government Code and the Elections Code governing the submission of a statewide measure to the voters.
SEC. 5.This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
In order to ensure that the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 is presented to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, it is necessary for this act to take effect immediately.
This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80701.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)A secure, resilient, sustainable, and equitable food and farming system is essential for the economic economic, cultural, and social well-being of the people of California. The climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the states food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. The scale of these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainability and resiliency, including investments in infrastructure related to the needs of farms, ranches, traditional food systems, fisheries, farmworkers, distribution systems, and food access.
(b)Climate change increases the risk of extreme weather events, biodiversity losses, catastrophic wildfires, and sea level rise, and presents a significant threat to the health, safety, and prosperity of the people of California.
(c)Californias low-income communities of color and tribal communities bear a disproportionate burden of climate changes adverse impacts, and many of these communities are still recovering from the inequitable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(d)Approximately 20.3 percent of Californians, or 7,900,000 people, are food insecure. Black, African American, Latino, Native American, and other Californians who identify with two or more racial categories have higher rates of food insecurity compared to their non-Latino, White counterparts.
(e)Food and nutrition insecurity affect Californians across their lifespans, starting in childhood for millions of children who grow up in poverty, and continuing into late adulthood for the nearly 40 percent of low-income Californians over 60 years of age who are food insecure.
(f)Farmworkers, a primarily Latino and immigrant workforce, who often lack access to safe, affordable housing and live in overcrowded housing conditions, are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, wildfire smoke exposure, heat-related illness, and work interruptions as the climate crisis intensifies.
(g)Latino children in California are 91 percent more likely than White children to attend schools with significant pesticide exposure.
(h)Low-income communities of color and tribal communities have less access to healthy and culturally relevant foods than higher income communities, and consequently face disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease.
(i)Farmers Food and fiber producers are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale farms and farmers producers and producers of color.
(j)With California agricultural land prices increasing 10 percent between 2021 and 2022, accessing agricultural land and securing land tenure continue to present obstacles for small-scale farmers. Farmers of color have also faced generations of discriminatory lending and market practices and ongoing barriers that prevent them from accessing land, culturally relevant technical support, and recovery initiatives.
(k)Food system essential workers are often required to continue working during ongoing emergencies, such as wildfires and extreme heat events, and too often are denied access to adequate safety measures to protect their personal health and the well-being of their family members. members and communities.
(l)Strategic investments in infrastructure projects that support Californias workforce, climate-resilient farms and ranches, food and fiber production, regional food supply chains, increased access to healthy foods, tribal nations, and historically underserved communities will help build Californias economy, while increasing the states overall resilience against future catastrophes, including climate change.
(m)Sustainable agricultural food and fiber production, including certified organic production and climate-smart agriculture practices, increases the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, while providing cobenefits for the economy, public health, and the environment.
(n)During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemics disruption, a record number of farmers applied to the states climate-smart agriculture programs, showing a growing interest for state investments in climate friendly farming practices and indigenous traditional land management practices.
(o)Investing in farmworkers and food supply chain workers will help California meet the needs of a 21st century workforce while supporting the well-being of, and safe working conditions for, Californias essential workers.
(p)Building decentralized local and regional food system infrastructure, from production to consumption, will combat hunger, hunger and improve nutrition, create jobs, and increase long-term resilience in communities throughout the state.
(q)Rebuilding regional food infrastructure in key areas, including community and school commercial kitchens, fishing infrastructure, local meat processing and storage facilities, and food hubs for improved distribution, will increase healthy food access for Californians, especially for children, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.
(r)Discriminatory practices and their ongoing legacy mean that many farmers food and fiber producers of color are unable to access technical and financial resources. An equitable economy requires direct distribution of funding to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers food and fiber producers and historically underserved communities of color through tribal governments and entities led by people of color.
(s)Empowering indigenous communities and tribal producers producers, who maintained balance with Californias ecosystems since time immemorial, through investments that acknowledge and support their unique traditions and cultural practices will build strong indigenous-driven food systems that benefit all Californians. Californians, wildlife, and the environment.
(t)The investment of public funds pursuant to this division will result in public, environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits and benefits, will address inequities in our food and farming systems. systems, and is an opportunity to support healing at the community level for historic and ongoing traumas.
(u)Consumer interest in sustainably grown organic produce has surpassed in-state supplies in recent years, with demand for organic produce at unprecedented levels in recent years.
(v)To reduce food and nutrition insecurity and improve access to healthy and culturally relevant food, the investment of public moneys pursuant to this division is necessary in order to build the infrastructure necessary to support community-based resilient food systems. Communities and tribes will have control over where their foods come from, with the ability to focus on the public health, environmental, cultural, and economic impacts. In a more just food system, all communities can have both increased access to nutritious, affordable food and the ability to maintain a food system that prioritizes environmental and human needs.
(w)Existing law requires the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Council to implement an initiative to expand access to nutritious food in underserved, urban, and rural communities and to eliminate food deserts in California.
(x)Whereas it is fiscally prudent to leverage bond funding primarily for capital expenditures, additional state, local, and federal financial support should be provided to ensure adequate funding is available for project planning, community engagement, outreach, technical assistance, and organizational capacity. That financial support is particularly necessary when the proceeds of bonds will fund projects benefiting disadvantaged communities, tribal populations, and socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and other food producers.
80702.For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:
(a)Beginning farmer or rancher means a person who has has not operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer, or has operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer for not more than 10 consecutive years, and will materially and substantially participated participate in the operation of a farm or ranch for 10 years or less. farm, ranch, or tribal producer operation.
(b)Committee means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created pursuant to Section 80772.
(c)Disadvantaged community means any of the following:
(1)A community located in a census tract in which the median household income of less than 80 percent of the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(2)A municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 20,000 persons or less, with an annual median household income that is less than 85 percent of the statewide median household income.
(3)A community located in a census tract in which the household income of at least 20 percent of the population is at or below the federal poverty level based on family size.
(d)Food hub means a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution of locally or regionally produced food products.
(e)Fund means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund created pursuant to Section 80703.
(f)Heat island effect means the effect of increased temperatures in urbanized areas caused by structures, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, that absorb and re-emit the suns heat more than natural landscapes such as farms, farmland, forests, and water bodies.
(g)Limited resource farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(h)Local educational agency means a charter school, school district, tribal school, or county office of education.
(i)Nonprofit organization means a nonprofit corporation qualified to do business in California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(j)Priority population means any of the following:
(1)A community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)A low-income household, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3)A low-income community, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(k)Producer means a person, partnership, corporation, or otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products through agricultural arts on land that the entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possess. An entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possess property only during the harvest season for the agricultural products produced on that property is not a producer.
(l)Resilience means the ability of an entity or system, including an individual, community, or natural system, and its component parts to absorb, accommodate, or and recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its essential basic structures and functions. In the case of natural and working lands, resilience also includes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the lands ability to sequester carbon.
(m)School food authorities has the same meaning as defined in Section 49563 of the Education Code.
(n)Small- and medium-sized farms means farms and ranches of 500 acres or less.
(o)Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(p)State General Obligation Bond Law means the State General Obligation Bond Law (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 16720) of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code), as it may be amended from time to time.
(q)Sustainable agriculture means a system of management practices that increase the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, provide cobenefits for public health, the economy, and the environment, and can help improve the health of communities by protecting and conserving water, reducing the use of synthetic farm inputs, protecting air quality, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, biodiversity by supporting native species, reducing onfarm emissions of greenhouse gases, and increasing soil carbon content.
(r)Technical assistance means outreach, education, project planning assistance, project design assistance, grant funding application assistance, project implementation assistance, and project reporting assistance provided to project applicants.
(s)Tribal government means the government of a tribe, tribal agency, or subdivision thereof.
(t)Tribal organization means any of the following:
(1)A tribal government.
(2)A legally established organization of natives native people that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal government, is democratically elected by the adult members of the tribal community to be served by the legally established organization, and maximizes participation of natives native people in all phases of its activities.
(3)A nonprofit organization chartered under tribal government law or state law that is primarily led by and serves tribal communities.
(u)Tribal producer means either of the following:
(1)A member of a tribe who is involved in agricultural production or traditional Native American tending, gathering, hunting, or fishing. fishing practices.
(2)A cultural practitioner member of a tribe who manages land traditionally for food, fiber, ceremonial, or other culture-based purposes.
(v)Tribe means a federally recognized Native American tribe or a nonfederally recognized Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community listed on the California tribal consultation list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
(w)Vulnerable population means a subgroup of a population within a region or community that faces a disproportionately heightened risk of, or increased sensitivity to, impacts of climate change and that lacks adequate resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from those impacts.
80703.The proceeds of bonds, excluding those issued in accordance with Section 80779, issued and sold pursuant to this division shall be deposited into the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. All moneys in the fund, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are hereby continuously appropriated without respect to fiscal years for the purposes of this division.
80704.Up to 5 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division may be used for administrative costs.
80705.(a)Except as provided in subdivision (b), not more than 10 percent of the moneys made available to an administering agency pursuant to each section of this division may be expended for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects to be funded by those moneys. This section does not restrict the expenditure of moneys ordinarily used by a state agency for preliminary plans, working drawings, and construction, as defined in the annual Budget Act for a capital outlay project or grant project.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a state agency administering moneys made available pursuant to a section of this division may use more than 10 percent of those moneys for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects pursuant to that section if the state agency determines that the additional moneys are needed for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)A state agency may allocate moneys pursuant to this division to a federal agency if the state agency determines the allocation is the most efficient way to implement this division on federally managed lands.
(d)(1)At least 40 50 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division shall be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations, except if the agency allocating those moneys reasonably determines that it cannot allocate the full amount of those moneys consistent with both this subdivisions requirement and the other applicable requirements of this division, the agency may, notwithstanding this subdivisions requirement, allocate those moneys consistent with the other applicable requirements of this division in a manner that furthers the fundamental purposes of this subdivision to the greatest extent feasible.
(2)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to paragraph (1), at least 10 percent shall be allocated for projects benefiting tribes, tribal producers, and tribal nonprofit organizations.
(e)All services, technical assistance, outreach, and support described in this division shall be provided in culturally competent ways that best serve the target population and are fully and equally accessible to those of limited English proficiency.
80706.(a)In the allocation and administration of funding authorized pursuant to this division, priority shall be given to projects that meet the criteria described in subdivision (b) and leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.
(b)To the extent practicable, when allocating moneys pursuant to this division, an agency shall prioritize projects that do any of the following, with greatest prioritization for projects that offer multiple health, economic, social, and environmental benefits:
(1)Support the needs expressed by, and leverage the expertise of, community-based organizations and coalitions, and the constituencies they represent.
(2)Invest in holistic community development efforts, especially in disadvantaged communities, that simultaneously promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation.
(3)Build the infrastructure needed to support and bolster socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, especially producers of color and small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers. ranchers and tribal producers.
(4)Expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet Californias climate goals and the regional needs of Californias communities.
(5)Emphasize partnerships between community-based and other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, research institutions, and local governments to support economic development and climate resilience.
(6)Support the formation and continued success of cooperatively owned and operated food and agriculture businesses in historically underserved communities.
(7)Address the needs of historically underserved communities, including the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and food system workers.
(8)Support the health, safety, and financial security of the food and agriculture workforce.
(9)Accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that fertilizers, which degrade soil, air, and water quality and disproportionately harm farmworker communities and communities adjacent to farmland.
(10)Reduce food and nutrition insecurity and increase access to sustainable and healthy sustainable, healthy, and culturally relevant food for all Californians.
(11)Acknowledge and protect Acknowledge, protect, and are led by indigenous knowledge and expertise to build more just, equitable, and resilient tribally led food and farming systems.
(12)Reduce inequities in land ownership and access, return land to tribal control, utilize comanagement of lands with tribes, protect farmland, facilitate land tenure, and support farm viability and transition.
(c)A project funded pursuant to this division shall include signage informing the public that the project received funding from the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80707.Moneys allocated pursuant to this division shall not be used to fulfill any environmental mitigation requirements imposed by law.
80708.For moneys allocated for a project that serves a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or tribal producer, the administering agency may provide advanced payments in accordance with Section 11019.1 of the Government Code.
80709.(a)Except as specified in subdivision (b), up to 10 percent of the moneys available to an administering agency pursuant to each chapter of this division may be allocated for technical assistance and capacity building. Each administering state agency shall operate a multidisciplinary technical assistance program for this purpose.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an administering agency may exceed the 10-percent limitation if it determines the additional funding is needed to provide technical assistance and capacity building for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. ranchers, or tribal producers.
80710.Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to the development and adoption of guidelines, requirements, or selection criteria pursuant to this division.
80711.To the extent consistent with federal law, all proceeds of bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be available to individuals regardless of their immigration status.
80712.If any moneys allocated pursuant to this division are not encumbered or expended by the recipient entity within the time period specified by the administering agency, the unexpended moneys shall revert to the administering agency for allocation consistent with the applicable chapter of this division.
2.Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture80720.The sum of nine hundred fifty million dollars ($950,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80720.5.Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter may be used for technical assistance to support farmers and ranchers farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers and ranchers farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers in languages other than English.
80721.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, two hundred eighty million dollars ($280,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture to improve the climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, and shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and improve water- and nutrient-holding capacity, in a manner that will increase carbon sequestration and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. ranchers and tribal producers.
(b)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that also improve soil water-holding capacity and reduce nutrient runoff, and projects located in priority groundwater basins, as designated in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. ranchers and tribal producers.
(c)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, including, but not limited to, pasture-based practices, manure composting, solids separation, prescribed grazing, and compost bedded pack barns.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)Moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used to fund anaerobic digesters.
(4)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. ranchers and tribal producers.
(d)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. ranchers and tribal producers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, tribal producers, and limited resource farmers or ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(e)(1)Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management.
(2)Projects eligible for a grant pursuant to this subdivision include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)The construction of climate-controlled rooms and greenhouses, including, but not limited to, offices, labs, and storage spaces.
(B)The purchase of equipment, including, but not limited to, vacuum and other monitoring and insect release equipment.
(C)The purchase of vehicles, including, but not limited to, for transport for monitoring and releasing beneficial organisms, such as pickups, three-wheelers, and drones.
(D)The purchase of electronic equipment for computing, communications, telecomputing, and community education.
(E)The purchase of monitoring equipment, and data collection and mapping software, to monitor and map the habitats of pollinators and beneficial pest predators that provide critical ecosystem services.
(3)In awarding grants pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that provide biological control tools for specific crop and pest problems of the region in which the insectary is located.
(4)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers ranchers, and tribal producers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts.
80722.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, one hundred forty million dollars ($140,000,000) shall be available to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multibenefit flood plain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code). Eligible projects shall provide for flood plain expansion and habitat restoration, resulting in flood risk reduction and groundwater recharge. If a project includes a groundwater subbasin that includes users on tribal land, the implementing entity shall notify the relevant tribal governments, using existing communication or consultation policies if applicable.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80723.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects. projects, including activities such as restoration of nearby habitat.
80724.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80725.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, four hundred twenty five million dollars ($420,000,000) ($405,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure, including, but not limited to, nurseries, seed banks, and other related plant and seed propagation and distribution facilities, and to support the growing demand for riparian restoration, afforestation, habitat improvements, native plant and grass establishment, shrub and woody planting, and other agroecosystem improvements on natural and working lands.(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.(b)(a)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies for the protection and enhancement of agricultural lands, including the acquisition of fee title or agricultural conservation easements on agricultural lands, in order to improve climate resilience, pollinator habitat, California native biodiversity, flood protection, or groundwater recharge.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(c)(b)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers. The Department of Conservation may award grants to land trusts or other qualified nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, or tribal entities for the purpose of acquiring agricultural lands for sale to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers, which shall be conditioned upon the sale occurring within three years of the acquisition. Any land acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to an agricultural conservation easement before its sale.
(2)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Conservation shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. ranchers and tribal producers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and tribal producers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, tribal producers, and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(d)(c)(1)Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the states renewable energy goals.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(e)(d)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) to support the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code) through grants to groundwater sustainability agencies, counties, local agencies designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county, and nongovernmental organizations designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county for implementation of projects supporting reduced use of groundwater and multibenefit land repurposing at the basin scale.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f)(e)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to resource conservation districts pursuant to Section 9408 617 and tribal resource conservation districts to implement projects that restore or enhance riparian corridors on agricultural lands.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80726.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Agriculture for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure, including, but not limited to, nurseries, seed banks, and other related plant and seed propagation and distribution facilities, and to support the growing demand for riparian restoration, afforestation, habitat improvements, native plant and grass establishment, shrub and woody planting, and other agroecosystem improvements on natural and working lands.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80726.80727.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to upgrade irrigation-district level water delivery systems to conserve water and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, including through the installation of pressurized pipes, real-time flow meters at farm gates, and on-demand water delivery software. If a project includes infrastructure that will be built on tribal land, the implementing entity shall notify the relevant tribal governments, using existing communication or consultation policies if applicable.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and ranchers, limited resource farmers or ranchers ranchers, and tribal producers to implement practices supporting reduced use of groundwater in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for technical assistance to support farmers and ranchers farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers and ranchers farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers in languages other than English.
3.Protecting the Health and Well-Being of Californias Farmworkers80730.The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80731.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, four hundred fifty million dollars ($450,000,000) shall be available to the Strategic Growth Council established pursuant to Section 75121 to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program administered pursuant to Section 75210 for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
(b)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grant moneys pursuant to this section for a project only if the project meets all of the following requirements:
(1)The project includes transit and transportation options, including, but not limited to, electric vehicle charging stations, shuttles to public transit or bus services, bus shelters, and benches.
(2)The project is located within two miles of essential services, such as grocery stores, schools, and public libraries.
(3)The project will include the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
(4)The project includes adequate cooling.
(5)The project does not involve financing or other agreements with terms that would result in residency restrictions based on immigration status.
(c)The Strategic Growth Council shall develop guidelines for the awarding of grants pursuant to this section, and shall do both of the following:
(1)In developing the guidelines, hold public meetings in at least three rural communities, including, but not limited to, meetings in the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and the Inland Empire. The Strategic Growth Council shall notify all tribal governments within 100 miles of the meeting location at least 60 days in advance.
(2)Develop the guidelines in a manner that prioritizes awarding grants for projects in areas with the highest amount of farmworker housing need.
(d)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grants pursuant to this section only to any of the following eligible recipients:
(1)Developers.
(2)Nonprofit organizations.
(3)Public agencies.
(4)Tribal governments.
(e)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall not be used for the construction of single-gender dormitories or other single-gender housing projects.
(f)The Strategic Growth Council may award additional grant moneys to an otherwise eligible affordable farmworker housing project to cover all or a portion of the costs associated with the construction of any of the following facilities if the facilities would both primarily serve the residents of the farmworker housing and be located in, or adjacent to, the farmworker housing:
(1)Food hubs.
(2)Community centers.
(3)Food stores.
(4)Health care clinics.
(5)Childcare centers.
80732.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, fifty seventy-five million dollars ($50,000,000) ($75,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing.
(b)Except as specified in subdivision (d), a project shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section only if it meets both of the following requirements:
(1)The project provides a diversity of energy efficiency, water efficiency, heating, and cooling upgrades for farmworker housing, including, but not limited to, rooftop solar, solar-powered water heaters, home weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, portable or centralized heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems, heat pump installation, or energy-efficient windows.
(2)The project provides improved indoor air quality measures through the installation of air purifiers or other indoor air quality measures.
(c)All outreach and application materials used for the administration of grants pursuant to this section shall be translated into any non-English language spoken by a substantial number of community members served by a grant awarded pursuant to this section.
(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the Department of Community Services and Development may award grants pursuant to this section for community greening projects that reduce the heat island effect, including, but not limited to, community gardens, tree plantings, parks, or bioswales located in, or adjacent to, farmworker housing.
80733.(a)Of the moneys made available by Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 face masks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks.
(b)In distributing personal protection equipment stockpiled pursuant to this section, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall prioritize distributing that equipment through farmworker resource centers established pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Code and nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(c)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used by nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
80734.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources, including, but not limited to, for projects that include septic tank upgrades or consolidation of septic systems to address water quality contamination and public health threats in farmworker communities and projects that promote resilience and adaptation of small community wastewater treatment facilities at risk from sea level rise or saltwater intrusion, with preference for projects that provide wastewater recharge recycling.
(b)The State Water Resources Control Board shall award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, technical assistance providers, and tribal governments.
80735.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Office of Emergency Services to expand its California State Warning Center to include targeted alerts for public health dangers, including, without limitation, all of the following:(1)The creation of a state notification system, including the development of a backbone telemetry system, that sends text and voice messages, in multiple languages, to residents and farmworkers based on their ZIP Codes to alert them of public health dangers in their area, including, but not limited to, smoke from wildfires, unhealthy air quality, or prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.(2)Coordination with other emergency system operations partners, and program management.(3)Maintenance of telemetry infrastructure.(b)(1)The Office of Emergency Services shall develop guidelines for the allocation of moneys pursuant to this section.(2)The Office of Emergency Services shall hold at least one public meeting as part of developing the guidelines.80736.80735.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and drinking water infrastructure for farmworkers.
(b)Moneys made available pursuant to this section shall be allocated for only the following purposes:
(1)The establishment of mobile farmworker resource centers, which shall be prioritized in areas where no state grant has been previously awarded for that purpose.
(2)Funding the deployment of infrastructure and equipment to provide safe, cool drinking water to farmworkers on job sites.
(c)Entities eligible to receive grants to establish farmworker resource centers include, but are not limited to, cities, counties, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(d)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for design, planning, staff, services, and programs provided through farmworker resource centers, including, but not limited to, the services specified in Section 12712 of the Government Code.
4.Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security80740.(a)The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
(b)To the maximum extent feasible, purchases made using moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter shall be made from certified organic producers or producers in a three-year organic transition period.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter facilitate the production of, access to, the preparation of, and the distribution of certified organic or otherwise sustainably grown and harvested and culturally relevant fruits and vegetables, grains, and legumes, and dairy, meat, and seafood sustainably produced or harvested locally or regionally.
80741.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred twenty million dollars ($320,000,000) shall be available to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers established pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 33380) of Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs, including, but not limited to, any of the following purposes:
(1)New construction or renovation of kitchen facilities, including central kitchens and associated warehouses, processing and storage facilities, and delivery and loading dock areas.
(2)New construction or renovation of meal preparation areas, meal service areas, or areas used for dining and drinking water access.
(3)Facility assessments and architectural and engineering services.
(4)Purchase of major equipment, including, but not limited to, refrigeration and freezer systems, dishwashers, convection ovens, steam tables, point-of-service systems, delivery vehicles, and refrigerated trucks.
(5)Payment of local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process.
(6)Technical assistance programs pursuant to subdivision (e).
(b)To the greatest extent possible, projects funded pursuant to this section shall be designed to further at least one of the following purposes:
(1)Increase student participation in school meal programs.
(2)Increase access to nutritious, organically or sustainably produced, minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared foods.
(3)Increase school food authority procurement from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(c)Kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure improvements funded pursuant to this section may be designed to do either or both of the following:
(1)To be used by multiple local educational agencies.
(2)When not in use by the local educational agency that owns the infrastructure, to be used by any of the following entities or for any of the following purposes:
(A)Food banks.
(B)Nonprofit medically tailored meal providers.
(C)Adult daycare centers.
(D)Childcare providers.
(E)Operators of summer and after school federal- and state-funded nutrition programs.
(F)Small-scale food businesses.
(G)Workforce development programs.
(H)Community education programs.
(I)Senior nutrition providers.
(J)Homeless shelters.
(K)Faith-based organizations.
(L)The University of California Cooperative Extension.
(M)CalFresh healthy living nutrition education programs.
(N)4-H programs.
(O)Food distribution programs serving tribes.
(d)(1)At least 75 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 50 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(2)At least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 80 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(e)Technical assistance programs funded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, supporting the efforts of administrators and staff of school nutrition programs to do any of the following:
(1)Increase student access and participation in school nutrition programs.
(2)Prepare Procure, prepare, and serve culturally relevant and traditional Native American foods.
(3)Increase student fruit and vegetable consumption.
(4)Expand procurement of farm-direct California-grown organic produce, including through the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.
(5)Expand the use of minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared food and preparation techniques, including development of culinary skills by food service staff.
(6)Overseeing the planning, architectural design, and construction oversight processes.
(7)Increase language accessibility.
(f)The Department of General Services may provide up to 50 percent of moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
80742.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans.
(b)Moneys allocated pursuant to this section may only be used to support the capacity enhancement and disaster resilience needs of the emergency food delivery system, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Capital investments needed to support the collection, storage, preparation, and distribution of foods produced within California to help support local and regional producers and producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers, emphasizing local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, sustainably produced, nutritious, unique to their geographic areas, and meet the needs of food insecure populations.
(2)The provision of food that is culturally relevant to program participants, including traditional Native American foods.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize projects that procure from small- to mid-sized farms, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, farmers or ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, tribal communities, or producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(d)The State Department of Social Services shall establish an application process for allocating moneys pursuant to this section, which shall not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services.
(e)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize applicants that serve Medi-Cal eligible and uninsured populations and substantially integrate racial equity into the design and implementation of their proposed use of those moneys.
(f)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services may do one or both of the following:
(1)Provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by the recipient.
(2)Authorize at least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section to be used for personnel or other operational expenses.
80743.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred sixty million dollars ($360,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture, in coordination with the State Department of Public Health, the California Department of Aging, the State Department of Social Services, and other agencies, shall competitively award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, county, city, or tribal governments, tribal organizations, tribal entities, farmers, ranchers, or agricultural cooperatives.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects for which a one-time infusion of state dollars will help the project become self-sustaining.
(d)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall be allocated as follows:
(1)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to develop year-round infrastructure for certified farmers markets, as defined in Section 47004 of the Food and Agricultural Code, fishermens markets, as defined in Section 113780 of the Health and Safety Code, or tribe-operated or native-serving farmers markets to provide shoppers with high-quality fresh produce sold by California producers with a certified producers certificate issued pursuant to Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code, markets, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)All-weather infrastructure such as canopies and shade structures, tables and seating, market stalls, restrooms and hand wash stations, tent weights and tie-downs, produce washing stations, barricades and bollards for traffic management and pedestrian safety, bicycle parking racks, and other equipment.
(B)Facilities for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and other nutrition education.
(C)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for market managers and producers to process CalFresh transactions.
(D)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for producers to accept the electronic cash value benefit through the program designed to implement the federal WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-314) pursuant to Section 123279 of the Health and Safety Code. Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(E)Other equipment to support the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, as described in Section 3007 of Title 7 of the United States Code. Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(2)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community-supported agriculture programs, as defined in Section 47060 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including, but not limited to, expenditures for either of the following purposes:
(A)Facilities and supplies for storing, packing, processing, or establishing a main pickup point for produce.
(B)Delivery vehicles for transporting food products directly to residents in disadvantaged communities.
(3)Seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) to advance tribal tribes food sovereignty to grow, produce, procure, and distribute foods that reflect Native American culture and traditions and support the development of traditional food tribal producers and vendors.
(4)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community or school food gardens, including community food producers as defined in Section 113752 of the Health and Safety Code, city and suburban agriculture using backyard, rooftop, or balcony gardening, indoor gardening, community gardening in vacant lots and parks, roadside urban fringe agriculture, and livestock grazing in open space, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)Lumber, irrigation systems, electrification projects, tool sheds, greenhouses, fencing, onsite refrigeration for food storage, and vehicles.
(ii)Equipment for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and agricultural education.
(iii)Other community food garden equipment and supplies, which may include soil testing kits, soil amendments, raised beds, and drip irrigation systems.
(iv)Construction of community food gardens at multiunit housing facilities, vacant lots, places of worship, tribal communities, hospitals, and schools.
(v)Purchase of land, prioritizing ownership by community or community, accredited land trusts. trusts, and tribal governments.
(vi)Construction of developments that combine housing and necessary amenities with farms or community gardens and benefit residents of vulnerable populations or residents located in disadvantaged communities.
(vii)Construction of urban-edge agriculture parks to be leased as multiple small farms for organic or sustainable farming to produce food.
(viii)Local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process to create or expand a community food garden.
(ix)Projects that teach youth about careers in agriculture, emphasizing community gardening, horticulture, and education through outdoor, rooftop, and other gardening facilities to empower children and youth to grow their own food.
(B)At least 60 percent of the grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall benefit disadvantaged communities.
(C)A project funded pursuant to this paragraph shall not be required to have a minimum acreage or minimum amount of production income.
(5)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for use in disadvantaged communities and areas without easy access to supermarkets or grocery stores to create or expand mobile produce markets, mobile farmers markets, mobile food carts for selling produce, and mobile food pantries for distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)The purchase or lease of a bus, truck, van, cart, or other vehicle with space to display produce.
(ii)Retrofitting a vehicle or refrigeration and food safety infrastructure.
(iii)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for mobile produce markets and mobile farmers markets to process CalFresh and comparable tribal program transactions.
(iv)Mobile technology applications or digital tools for communicating the availability of foods.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph for the lease or purchase of vehicles shall prioritize fuel-efficient or zero-emission vehicles. vehicles and necessary charging stations.
(6)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to create or expand healthy food access outlets, including to provide infrastructure investments for healthy food access outlets, including food retail, food service, and grocery or meal dropoff facilities, in affordable housing developments or through home delivery, including, but not limited to, any of the following expansions of community or tribal-owned healthy food access outlets:
(A)The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program created pursuant to Section 49015 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including refrigeration units provided to convenience stores, corner stores, food service facilities, grocery stores located in rural communities or on Indian reservations, and for use in mobile produce markets.
(B)Refrigeration units in community fridges run through mutual aid projects.
(7)(A)Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) for newly constructed or renovated community teaching kitchens that teach community members experiencing food insecurity how to plan, prepare, and cook using local and sustainable local, sustainable, and culturally relevant ingredients, emphasizing human health and well-being.
(B)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to purchase major equipment, including all of the following:
(i)Refrigeration and freezer systems.
(ii)Dishwashers.
(iii)Baking equipment.
(iv)Ranges and convection ovens.
(v)Tables and furniture.
(vi)Other cooking equipment, supplies, and utensils.
(C)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may also be used for both of the following purposes:
(i)Permits and inspection fees required by local governments and tribal agencies.
(ii)Video equipment used to make teaching kitchen classes available via videoconferencing, recordings, and other means.
(D)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to develop training programs for beginning food makers, food entrepreneurs, and farmers and ranchers farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers developing value-added products for the purpose of bringing jobs to their communities.
(8)(A)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to expand Food is Medicine programs administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, in collaboration with the California Department of Aging and the federal Indian Health Service.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall prioritize infrastructure for the production and distribution of medically tailored meals pursuant to the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or equivalent tribal programs, and to support produce prescriptions, food pharmacies, and other appropriate nutrition services that address medical needs, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i)Production scale commercial kitchens, including facilities and equipment.
(ii)Refrigeration and freezer capacity.
(iii)Refrigerated vehicles or trailers.
(iv)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and food pharmacies.
(C)For purposes of this paragraph, Food is Medicine programs are programs prescribed by health care professionals that are designed to meet the dietary and health needs of vulnerable people with chronic and acute illnesses through the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Code or equivalent tribal programs.
(e)The Department of Food and Agriculture may provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
(f)Technical assistance and workforce development moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be allocated for training to support the procurement of California-produced organic food, improving language accessibility, and implementation of the Local, Equitable Access to Food (LEAF) Program (Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 49020)) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
80744.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs under the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act (Division 8.5 (commencing with Section 9000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code). Code) or equivalent tribal programs.
(b)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the California Department of Aging shall prioritize purchasing, upgrading, or refurbishing infrastructure for the production and distribution of congregate or home-delivered meals, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1)Production-scale commercial kitchens.
(2)Warming, refrigeration, or freezer capacity.
(3)Refrigerated vehicles.
(4)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of meals.
(5)Technological or data system infrastructure for monitoring client health outcomes.
(6)Food from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(7)Expanding infrastructure to support farm-to-seniors programs that improve older adults access to California grown and produced food, focusing on local organic produce and produce, local meat, poultry, and dairy products. products, and culturally relevant traditional foods.
5.Strengthening Regional Food Economies80750.The sum of nine hundred fifteen million dollars ($915,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80751.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, four hundred seventy million dollars ($470,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To develop or upgrade aggregation, primary processing, cooling, and storage facilities for farm and fiber products, with a focus on regions that have insufficient capacity to meet the needs of farmers. farmers, ranchers, and tribal producers.
(2)To develop or upgrade processing facilities and supply chain infrastructure in urban and rural areas, including those that could increase capacity when needed to support emergency food storage and distribution.
(3)To support the development of value-added processing of agricultural products that increase income and market opportunities for farmers and ranchers, including upgrades to producer or handler facilities to comply with organic certification requirements.
(4)To develop or upgrade facilities that support the development and growth of new food and fiber businesses, including commercial or community kitchens and food and fiber processing, cooling, storage, and distribution facilities.
(b)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize all of the following:
(1)Projects that provide culturally relevant food access.
(2)Projects that support job creation, training, and placement.
(3)Projects, such as food hubs and marketing cooperatives, that meet the supply chain and marketing needs of locally and regionally produced food and fiber products.
(4)Projects, including agriculture centers and food hubs, that incorporate support for producers during public safety power shutoffs and disasters, including backup energy supply for recharging battery powered equipment, temporary housing of evacuated livestock, and food preservation equipment or cold storage.
(5)Projects that have been included or identified as needed in producer or community-guided regional food system planning processes implemented with local public and philanthropic moneys or local, state, or federal moneys.
(c)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to farmers, ranchers, nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal governments, and businesses, including cooperatives.
80752.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.
(b)The State Coastal Conservancy shall award grants pursuant to this section only to public entities, nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments, that provide fishing facilities and related infrastructure to the commercial fishing industry.
(c)For purposes of this section, fishing facilities and related infrastructure include, but are not limited to, fish handling and processing infrastructure and facilities, such as public hoists, ice machines, gear storage, refrigeration, freezers, and other processing facilities, and canneries.
80753.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To build, expand, or upgrade meat processing infrastructure for slaughter, cut and wrap, and value-added processing.
(2)To develop mobile meat processing facilities that meet federal inspection and certification guidelines and can serve multiple meat producers.
(3)To upgrade inspection protocols and data and communication hardware commensurate with a robust meat inspection service to enable interstate and intrastate sales of meat and poultry from state inspected plants.
(4)To reimburse all or a portion of the costs associated with meeting federal inspection and certification requirements.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to for the development of new or currently operating meat processing or tribal businesses businesses, including tribal meat processing businesses, that have less fewer than 150 employees.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize disadvantaged communities and tribal nations.
80754.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, one hundred ten million dollars ($110,000,000) shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
(b)Allocations received by a food processor pursuant to this section shall be used to demonstrate the food processors reliability and effectiveness.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to subdivision (a), the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize food processors that primarily serve local and regional in-state markets.
(d)Up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) may be used to provide technical assistance, including program outreach, to potential applicants for project development, completing applications, and project implementation. Of these moneys allocated for technical assistance, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize supporting small-scale food processors supplying local and regional in-state markets.
80755.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
(b)Nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies shall be eligible to be awarded a grant pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)A project eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A)Primarily serve a disadvantaged community.
(B)Provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)Maximize environmental, public health, and economic cobenefits to nearby disadvantaged communities.
(D)Include an advisory group or body that consists of community members from disadvantaged communities and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers involved with, or with knowledge of, sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, or indigenous land stewardship and agricultural practices.
(2)Projects eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, projects that purchase land or build infrastructure to develop regional farmer training sites to enable socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and farmworkers entering farm management to share agricultural and ecological knowledge.
(d)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize training sites in disadvantaged communities, and award the majority of the grant moneys to projects that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities or provide farm management and business training to farmworkers to develop new farm operations.
80756.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers by funding existing and new programs to provide technical assistance and grants to purchase equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and create facilities that store tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and fund maintenance, training, and personnel costs.
(b)The purposes for which grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be used include, but are not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Grants to develop and expand equipment sharing, including to do either of the following:
(A)Purchase tools, equipment, and infrastructure to support conservation practices, including, but not limited to, soil health practices, water conservation, and wildfire resilience.
(B)Purchase equipment and infrastructure to enhance regional food systems and cooperative resources for small and underserved farmers.
(2)Technical assistance to support cooperative development, training on and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)Infrastructure eligible to be purchased using grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section includes, but is not limited to, roller crimpers, seed drills, wood chippers, compost spreaders, tractor trailers, processing equipment, and no-till drills.
(d)Entities eligible to be awarded a grant, or otherwise supported, pursuant to this section include resource conservation districts, tribal conservation districts, University of California Cooperative Extensions, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving small and underserved farmers.
(e)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section, the Department of Conservation shall do all of the following:
(1)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. ranchers and tribal producers.
(2)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraph (1), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(3)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
80757.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.
(b)To support immediate infrastructure deployments to create jobs and promote economic recovery, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery shall award grants or make performance payments for compost infrastructure, including compost spreaders for farms to apply compost, and food recovery projects at existing and new community composting facilities, onfarm composting facilities, and commercial composting facilities to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and nitrous oxide emissions and to support sequestration of carbon in the states agricultural and urban soils.
6.Fiscal Provisions80770.(a)Bonds in the total amount of three billion three hundred sixty-five million dollars ($3,365,000,000), not including the amount of any refunding bonds issued in accordance with Section 80779, may be issued and sold for the purposes expressed in this division and to reimburse the General Obligation Bond Expense Revolving Fund pursuant to Section 16724.5 of the Government Code. The bonds, when sold, issued, and delivered, shall be and constitute a valid and binding obligation of the State of California, and the full faith and credit of the State of California is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of, and interest on, the bonds as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The Treasurer shall issue and sell the bonds authorized in subdivision (a) in the amount determined by the committee to be necessary or desirable pursuant to Section 80773. The bonds shall be issued and sold upon the terms and conditions specified in a resolution to be adopted by the committee pursuant to Section 16731 of the Government Code.
80771.(a)(1)The bonds authorized by this division shall be prepared, executed, issued, sold, paid, and redeemed as provided in the State General Obligation Bond Law, and all of the provisions of that law apply to the bonds and to this division and are hereby incorporated in this division as though set forth in full in this division, except that Section 16727 of the Government Code shall not apply.
(2)Proceeds from the sale of any bonds issued pursuant to this division shall be used only for any of the following purposes:
(A)For the purposes authorized in this division.
(B)To repay moneys borrowed in anticipation of the sale of the bonds, including interest, and to pay interest on the bonds themselves.
(C)To pay the costs of a state agency with responsibility for administering the bond program, including costs incurred by the Treasurer, Controller, Department of Finance, and State Public Works Board for staff, operating expenses, and equipment, and consultants costs.
(D)To pay the costs of the Treasurers office directly associated with the sale and payment of the bonds, including, but not limited to, underwriting discounts, costs of printing, bond counsel, registration, and fees of trustees.
(b)For purposes of this division, the references to committee in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Committee created in Section 80772, and the references to board in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
80772.(a)Solely for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and sale pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law of the bonds authorized by this division, the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Committee is hereby created.
(b)The committee consists of the Controller, the Treasurer, and the Director of Finance. Notwithstanding any other law, any member may designate a representative to act as that member in the members place for all purposes, as though the member were personally present.
(c)The Treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the committee. A majority of the committee may act for the committee.
80773.The committee shall determine by resolution if it is necessary or desirable to issue and sell bonds authorized pursuant to this division in order to carry out the actions specified in this division and, if so, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold. Successive issues of bonds may be authorized and sold to carry out those actions progressively, and it is not necessary that all of the bonds authorized to be issued be sold at any one time.
80774.There shall be collected each year and in the same manner and at the same time as other state revenue is collected, in addition to the ordinary revenues of the state, a sum in an amount required to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds becoming due each year. It is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in regard to the collection of the revenue to do and perform each and every act that is necessary to collect that additional sum.
80775.Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, there is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund in the State Treasury, for the purposes of this division and without regard to fiscal years, an amount that equals the total of the following:
(a)The sum annually necessary to pay the principal of, and interest on, bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division, as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The sum necessary to carry out Section 80777.
80776.The board may request the Pooled Money Investment Board to make a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account, in accordance with Section 16312 of the Government Code, for the purpose of carrying out this division less any amount withdrawn pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that the committee has, by resolution, authorized to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to this section and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The board shall execute any documents required by the Pooled Money Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan. Any amounts loaned shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division.
80777.For the purposes of carrying out this division, the Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General Fund of an amount not to exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that have been authorized by the committee to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to Section 80776 and not yet repaid, and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to this section and not yet returned to the General Fund. Any amounts withdrawn shall be deposited in the fund. Any moneys made available under this section shall be returned to the General Fund from proceeds received from the sale of bonds for the purpose of carrying out this division.
80778.All moneys deposited into the fund that are derived from premium and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be reserved in the fund and shall be available for transfer to the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest, except those amounts derived from premium may be reserved and used to pay the cost of bond issuance before any transfer to the General Fund.
80779.The bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division may be refunded in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section 16780) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code, which is a part of the State General Obligation Bond Law. Approval by the voters of the state for the issuance of the bonds described in this division includes the approval of the issuance of any bonds issued to refund any bonds originally issued under this division or any previously issued refunding bonds. Any bond refunded with the proceeds of refunding bonds as authorized by this section may be legally defeased to the extent permitted by law in the manner and to the extent set forth in the resolution, as amended from time to time, authorizing that refunded bond.
80780.Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, or of the State General Obligation Bond Law, if the Treasurer sells bonds pursuant to this division that include a bond counsel opinion to the effect that the interest on the bonds is excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes under designated conditions or is otherwise entitled to any federal tax advantage, the Treasurer may maintain separate accounts for the investment of bond proceeds and for the investment of earnings on those proceeds. The Treasurer may use or direct the use of those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate, penalty, or other payment required under federal law or take any other action with respect to the investment and use of those bond proceeds or earnings required or desirable under federal law to maintain the tax-exempt status of those bonds and to obtain any other advantage under federal law on behalf of the funds of this state.
80781.The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this division are not proceeds of taxes as that term is used in Article XIII B of the California Constitution, and the disbursement of these proceeds is not subject to the limitations imposed by that article.
SEC. 2.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 3.Section 1 of this act shall take effect upon the approval by the voters of the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, as set forth in Section 1 of this act.
SEC. 4.Section 1 of this act shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election in accordance with provisions of the Government Code and the Elections Code governing the submission of a statewide measure to the voters.
SEC. 5.This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
In order to ensure that the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 is presented to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, it is necessary for this act to take effect immediately.
This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80701.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)A secure, resilient, sustainable, and equitable food and farming system is essential for the economic and social well-being of the people of California. The climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the states food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. The scale of these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainability and resiliency, including investments in infrastructure related to the needs of farms, ranches, farmworkers, distribution systems, and food access.
(b)Climate change increases the risk of extreme weather events, biodiversity losses, catastrophic wildfires, and sea level rise, and presents a significant threat to the health, safety, and prosperity of the people of California.
(c)Californias low-income communities of color and tribal communities bear a disproportionate burden of climate changes adverse impacts, and many of these communities are still recovering from the inequitable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(d)Approximately 20.3 percent of Californians, or 7,900,000 people, are food insecure. Black, African American, Latino, Native American, and other Californians who identify with two or more racial categories have higher rates of food insecurity compared to their non-Latino, White counterparts.
(e)Food and nutrition insecurity affect Californians across their lifespans, starting in childhood for millions of children who grow up in poverty, and continuing into late adulthood for the nearly 40 percent of low-income Californians over 60 years of age who are food insecure.
(f)Farmworkers, a primarily Latino and immigrant workforce, who often lack access to safe, affordable housing and live in overcrowded housing conditions, are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, wildfire smoke exposure, heat-related illness, and work interruptions as the climate crisis intensifies.
(g)Latino children in California are 91 percent more likely than White children to attend schools with significant pesticide exposure.
(h)Low-income communities of color and tribal communities have less access to healthy foods than higher income communities, and consequently face disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease.
(i)Farmers are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale farms and farmers of color.
(j)With California agricultural land prices increasing 10 percent between 2021 and 2022, accessing agricultural land and securing land tenure continue to present obstacles for small-scale farmers. Farmers of color have also faced generations of discriminatory lending and market practices and ongoing barriers that prevent them from accessing land, culturally relevant technical support, and recovery initiatives.
(k)Food system essential workers are often required to continue working during ongoing emergencies, such as wildfires and extreme heat events, and too often are denied access to adequate safety measures to protect their personal health and the well-being of their family members.
(l)Strategic investments in infrastructure projects that support Californias workforce, climate-resilient farms and ranches, regional food supply chains, increased access to healthy foods, tribal nations, and historically underserved communities will help build Californias economy, while increasing the states overall resilience against future catastrophes, including climate change.
(m)Sustainable agricultural production, including certified organic production and climate-smart agriculture practices, increases the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, while providing cobenefits for the economy, public health, and the environment.
(n)During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemics disruption, a record number of farmers applied to the states climate-smart agriculture programs, showing a growing interest for state investments in climate friendly farming practices and indigenous traditional land management practices.
(o)Investing in farmworkers and food supply-chain supply chain workers will help California meet the needs of a 21st century workforce while supporting the well-being of, and safe working conditions for, Californias essential workers.
(p)Building decentralized local and regional food system infrastructure, from production to consumption, will combat hunger, create jobs, and increase long-term resilience in communities throughout the state.
(q)Rebuilding regional food infrastructure in key areas, including community and school commercial kitchens, fishing infrastructure, local meat processing facilities, and food hubs for improved distribution, will increase healthy food access for Californians, especially for children, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.
(r)Discriminatory practices and their ongoing legacy mean that many farmers of color are unable to access technical and financial resources. An equitable economy requires direct distribution of funding to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and historically underserved communities of color through tribal governments and entities led by people of color.
(s)Empowering indigenous communities and tribal producers through investments that acknowledge and support their unique traditions and cultural practices will build strong indigenous-driven food systems that benefit all Californians.
(t)The investment of public funds pursuant to this division will result in public, environmental, social, and economic benefits and address inequities in our food and farming systems.
(u)Consumer interest in sustainably grown organic produce has surpassed in-state supplies in recent years, with demand for organic produce at unprecedented levels in recent years.
(v)To reduce food and nutrition insecurity and improve access to healthy food, the investment of public moneys pursuant to this division is necessary in order to build the infrastructure necessary to support community-based resilient food systems. Communities and tribes will have control over where their foods come from, with the ability to focus on the public health, environmental, and economic impacts. In a more just food system, all communities can have both increased access to nutritious, affordable food and the ability to maintain a food system that prioritizes environmental and human needs.
(w)Existing law requires the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Council to implement an initiative to expand access to nutritious food in underserved, urban, and rural communities and to eliminate food deserts in California.
80702.For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:
(a)Beginning farmer or rancher means a person who has materially and substantially participated in the operation of a farm or ranch for 10 years or less.
(b)Committee means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created pursuant to Section 80772.
(c)Disadvantaged community means any of the following:
(1)A community located in a census tract in which the median household income of less than 80 percent of the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(2)A municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 20,000 persons or less, with an annual median household income that is less than 85 percent of the statewide median household income.
(3)A community located in a census tract in which the household income of at least 20 percent of the population is at or below the federal poverty level based on family size.
(d)Food hub means a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution of locally or regionally produced food products.
(e)Fund means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund created pursuant to Section 80703.
(f)Heat-island Heat island effect means the effect of increased temperatures in urbanized areas caused by structures, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, that absorb and re-emit the suns heat more than natural landscapes such as farms, forests, and water bodies.
(g)Limited resource farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(h)Local educational agency means a charter school, school district, or county office of education.
(i)Nonprofit organization means a nonprofit corporation qualified to do business in California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(j)Priority population means any of the following:
(1)A community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)A low-income household, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3)A low-income community, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(k)Producer means a person, partnership, corporation, or otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products through agricultural arts on land that the entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possess. An entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possess property only during the harvest season for the agricultural products produced on that property is not a producer.
(l)Resilience means the ability of an entity or system, including an individual, community, or natural system, and its component parts to absorb, accommodate, or recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its essential basic structures and functions. In the case of natural and working lands, resilience includes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the lands ability to sequester carbon.
(m)School food authorities has the same meaning as defined in Section 49563 of the Education Code.
(n)Small- and medium-sized farms means farms and ranches of 500 acres or less.
(o)Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(p)State General Obligation Bond Law means the State General Obligation Bond Law (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 16720) of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code), as it may be amended from time to time.
(q)Sustainable agriculture means a system of management practices that increase the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, provide cobenefits for public health, the economy, and the environment, and can help improve the health of communities by protecting and conserving water, reducing the use of synthetic farm inputs, protecting air quality, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, reducing onfarm emissions of greenhouse gases, and increasing soil carbon content.
(r)Technical assistance means outreach, education, project planning assistance, project design assistance, grant application assistance, project implementation assistance, and project reporting assistance provided to project applicants.
(s)Tribal government means the government of a tribe, tribal agency, or subdivision thereof.
(t)Tribal organization means any of the following:
(1)A tribal government.
(2)A legally established organization of natives that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal government, is democratically elected by the adult members of the tribal community to be served by the legally established organization, and maximizes participation of natives in all phases of its activities.
(3)A nonprofit organization chartered under tribal government law or state law that is primarily led by and serves tribal communities.
(u)Tribal producer means either of the following:
(1)A member of a tribe who is involved in agricultural production or traditional tending, gathering, hunting, or fishing.
(2)A cultural practitioner who manages land traditionally for food, fiber, ceremonial, or other culture-based purposes.
(v)Tribe means a federally recognized Native American tribe or a nonfederally recognized Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community listed on the California tribal consultation list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
(w)Vulnerable population means a subgroup of a population within a region or community that faces a disproportionately heightened risk of, or increased sensitivity to, impacts of climate change and that lacks adequate resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from those impacts.
80703.The proceeds of bonds, excluding those issued in accordance with Section 80779, issued and sold pursuant to this division shall be deposited into the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. All moneys in the fund, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are hereby continuously appropriated without respect to fiscal years for the purposes of this division.
80704.Up to 5 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division may be used for administrative costs.
80705.(a)Except as provided in subdivision (b), not more than 10 percent of the moneys made available to an administering agency pursuant to each section of this division may be expended for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects to be funded by those moneys. This section does not restrict the expenditure of moneys ordinarily used by a state agency for preliminary plans, working drawings, and construction, as defined in the annual Budget Act for a capital outlay project or grant project.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a state agency administering moneys made available pursuant to a section of this division may use more than 10 percent of those moneys for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects pursuant to that section if the state agency determines that the additional moneys are needed for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)A state agency may allocate moneys pursuant to this division to a federal agency if the state agency determines the allocation is the most efficient way to implement this division on federally managed lands.
(d)At least 40 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division shall be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations, except if the agency allocating those moneys reasonably determines that it cannot allocate the full amount of those moneys consistent with both this subdivisions requirement and the other applicable requirements of this division, the agency may, notwithstanding this subdivisions requirement, allocate those moneys consistent with the other applicable requirements of this division in a manner that furthers the fundamental purposes of this subdivision to the greatest extent feasible.
(e)All services, technical assistance, outreach, and support described in this division shall be provided in culturally competent ways that best serve the target population and are fully and equally accessible to those of limited English proficiency.
80706.(a)In the allocation and administration of funding authorized pursuant to this division, priority shall be given to projects that leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.
(b)To the extent practicable, when allocating moneys pursuant to this division, an agency shall prioritize projects that do any of the following, with greatest prioritization for projects that offer multiple health, economic, social, and environmental benefits:
(1)Support the needs expressed by, and leverage the expertise of, community-based organizations and coalitions, and the constituencies they represent.
(2)Invest in holistic community development efforts, especially in disadvantaged communities, that simultaneously promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation.
(3)Build the infrastructure needed to support and bolster socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, especially producers of color and small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers.
(4)Expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet Californias climate goals and the regional needs of Californias communities.
(5)Emphasize partnerships between community-based and other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, research institutions, and local governments to support economic development and climate resilience.
(6)Support the formation and continued success of cooperatively owned and operated food and agriculture businesses in historically underserved communities.
(7)Address the needs of historically underserved communities, including the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, disadvantaged communities, and food system workers.
(8)Support the health, safety, and financial security of the food and agriculture workforce.
(9)Accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that degrade soil, air, and water quality and disproportionately harm farmworker communities and communities adjacent to farmland.
(10)Reduce food insecurity and increase access to sustainable and healthy food for all Californians.
(11)Acknowledge and protect indigenous knowledge and expertise to build more just, equitable, and resilient tribally led food and farming systems.
(12)Reduce inequities in land ownership and access, protect farmland, facilitate land tenure, and support farm viability and transition.
(c)A project funded pursuant to this division shall include signage informing the public that the project received funding from the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80707.Moneys allocated pursuant to this division shall not be used to fulfill any environmental mitigation requirements imposed by law.
80708.For moneys allocated for a project that serves a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, the administering agency may provide advanced payments in the amount of 50 percent of the allocation to the recipient to initiate the project in a timely manner, and may maintain advance payments in increments of 25 percent of the allocation, as needed, throughout the projects implementation. The administering agency shall adopt additional requirements for additional advance payments to ensure that the moneys are used properly and the project is completed. accordance with Section 11019.1 of the Government Code.
80709.(a)Except as specified in subdivision (b), up to 10 percent of the moneys available to an administering agency pursuant to each chapter of this division may be allocated for technical assistance and capacity building. Each administering state agency shall operate a multidisciplinary technical assistance program for this purpose.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an administering agency may exceed the 10-percent limitation if it determines the additional funding is needed to provide technical assistance and capacity building for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
80710.Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to the development and adoption of guidelines, requirements, or selection criteria pursuant to this division.
80711.To the extent consistent with federal law, all proceeds of bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be available to individuals regardless of their immigration status.
2.Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture80720.The sum of nine hundred fifty million dollars ($950,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80720.5.Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter may be used for technical assistance to support farmers and ranchers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers and ranchers in languages other than English.
80721.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, two hundred eighty million dollars ($280,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture to improve the climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, and shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and improve water and nutrient holding water- and nutrient-holding capacity, in a manner that will increase carbon sequestration and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(b)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that also improve soil water-holding capacity and reduce nutrient runoff, and projects located in priority groundwater basins, as designated in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(c)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, including, but not limited to, pasture-based practices, manure composting, solids separation, prescribed grazing, and compost bedded pack barns.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)Moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used to fund anaerobic digesters.
(4)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(d)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers or ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(e)(1)Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management.
(2)Projects eligible for a grant pursuant to this subdivision include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)The construction of climate-controlled rooms and greenhouses, including, but not limited to, offices, labs, and storage spaces.
(B)The purchase of equipment, including, but not limited to, vacuum and other monitoring and insect release equipment.
(C)The purchase of vehicles, including, but not limited to, for transport for monitoring and releasing beneficial organisms, such as pickups, three-wheelers, and drones.
(D)The purchase of electronic equipment for computing, communications, telecomputing, and community education.
(E)The purchase of monitoring equipment, and data collection and mapping software, to monitor and map the habitats of pollinators and beneficial pest predators that provide critical ecosystem services.
(3)In awarding grants pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that provide biological control tools for specific crop and pest problems of the region in which the insectary is located.
(4)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts.
80722.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, one hundred forty million dollars ($140,000,000) shall be available to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multibenefit floodplain flood plain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code). Eligible projects shall provide for floodplain flood plain expansion and habitat restoration, resulting in flood risk reduction and groundwater recharge.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80723.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects.
80724.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80725.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, four hundred twenty million dollars ($420,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure, including, but not limited to, nurseries, seed banks, and other related plant and seed propagation and distribution facilities, and to support the growing demand for riparian restoration, afforestation, habitat improvements, native plant and grass establishment, shrub and woody planting, and other agroecosystem improvements on natural and working lands.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies for the protection and enhancement of agricultural lands, including the acquisition of fee title or agricultural conservation easements on agricultural lands, in order to improve climate resilience, pollinator habitat, California native biodiversity, flood protection, or groundwater recharge.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(c)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers. The Department of Conservation may award grants to land trusts or other qualified nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, or tribal entities for the purpose of acquiring agricultural lands for sale to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers, which shall be conditioned upon the sale occurring within three years of the acquisition. Any land acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to an agricultural conservation easement before its sale.
(2)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Conservation shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(d)(1)Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the states renewable energy goals.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(e)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) to support the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code) through grants to groundwater sustainability agencies, counties, local agencies designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county, and nongovernmental organizations designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county for implementation of projects supporting reduced use of groundwater and multibenefit land repurposing at the basin scale.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to resource conservation districts pursuant to Section 9408 and tribal resource conservation districts to implement projects that restore or enhance riparian corridors on agricultural lands.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80726.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to upgrade irrigation-district level water delivery systems to conserve water and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, including through the installation of pressurized pipes, real-time flow meters at farm gates, and on-demand water delivery software.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement practices supporting reduced use of groundwater in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for technical assistance to support farmers and ranchers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers and ranchers in languages other than English.
3.Protecting the Health and Well-Being of Californias Farmworkers80730.The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80731.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, four hundred fifty million dollars ($450,000,000) shall be available to the Strategic Growth Council established pursuant to Section 75121 to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program administered pursuant to Section 75210 for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
(b)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grant moneys pursuant to this section for a project only if the project meets all of the following requirements:
(1)The project includes transit and transportation options, including, but not limited to, electric vehicle charging stations, shuttles to public transit or bus services, bus shelters, and benches.
(2)The project is located within two miles of essential services, such as grocery stores, schools, and public libraries.
(3)The project will include the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
(4)The project includes adequate cooling.
(5)The project does not involve financing or other agreements with terms that would result in residency restrictions based on immigration status.
(c)The Strategic Growth Council shall develop guidelines for the awarding of grants pursuant to this section, and shall do both of the following:
(1)In developing the guidelines, hold public meetings in at least three rural communities, including, but not limited to, meetings in the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and the Inland Empire.
(2)Develop the guidelines in a manner that prioritizes awarding grants for projects in areas with the highest amount of farmworker housing need.
(d)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grants pursuant to this section only to any of the following eligible recipients:
(1)Developers.
(2)Nonprofit organizations.
(3)Public agencies.
(4)Tribal governments.
(e)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall not be used for the construction of single-gender dormitories or other single-gender housing projects.
(f)The Strategic Growth Council may award additional grant moneys to an otherwise eligible affordable farmworker housing project to cover all or a portion of the costs associated with the construction of any of the following facilities if the facilities would both primarily serve the residents of the farmworker housing and be located in, or adjacent to, the farmworker housing:
(1)Food hubs.
(2)Community centers.
(3)Food stores.
(4)Health care clinics.
(5)Childcare centers.
80732.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing.
(b)Except as specified in subdivision (d), a project shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section only if it meets both of the following requirements:
(1)The project provides a diversity of energy efficiency, water efficiency, heating, and cooling upgrades for farmworker housing, including, but not limited to, rooftop solar, solar-powered water heaters, home weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, portable or centralized heating, ventilation, air conditioning air-conditioning systems, or energy-efficient windows.
(2)The project provides improved indoor air quality measures through the installation of air purifiers or other indoor air quality measures.
(c)All outreach and application materials used for the administration of grants pursuant to this section shall be translated into any non-English language spoken by a substantial number of community members served by a grant awarded pursuant to this section.
(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the Department of Community Services and Development may award grants pursuant to this section for community greening projects that reduce the heat-island heat island effect, including, but not limited to, community gardens, tree plantings, parks, or bioswales located in, or adjacent to, farmworker housing.
80733.(a)Of the moneys made available by Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 face masks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks.
(b)In distributing personal protection equipment stockpiled pursuant to this section, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall prioritize distributing that equipment through farmworker resource centers established pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
80734.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources, including, but not limited to, for projects that include septic tank upgrades or consolidation of septic systems to address water quality contamination and public health threats in farmworker communities and projects that promote resilience and adaptation of small community wastewater treatment facilities at risk from sea level rise or saltwater intrusion, with preference for projects that provide wastewater recharge recycling.
(b)The State Water Resources Control Board shall award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, technical assistance providers, and tribal governments.
80735.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Office of Emergency Services to expand its California State Warning Center to include targeted alerts for public health dangers, including, without limitation, all of the following:
(1)The creation of a state notification system, including the development of a backbone telemetry system, that sends text and voice messages, in multiple languages, to residents and farmworkers based on their ZIP Codes to alert them of public health dangers in their area, including, but not limited to, smoke from wildfires, unhealthy air quality, or prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
(2)Coordination with other emergency system operations partners, and program management.
(3)Maintenance of telemetry infrastructure.
(b)(1)The Office of Emergency Services shall develop guidelines for the allocation of moneys pursuant to this section.
(2)The Office of Emergency Services shall hold at least one public meeting as part of developing the guidelines.
80736.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and drinking water infrastructure for farmworkers.
(b)Moneys made available pursuant to this section shall be allocated for only the following purposes:
(1)The establishment of mobile farmworker resource centers, which shall be prioritized in areas where no state grant has been previously awarded for that purpose.
(2)Funding the deployment of infrastructure and equipment to provide safe, cool drinking water to farmworkers on job sites.
(c)Entities eligible to receive grants to establish farmworker resource centers include, but are not limited to, cities, counties, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(d)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for design, planning, staff, services, and programs provided through farmworker resource centers, including, but not limited to, the services specified in Section 12712 of the Government Code.
4.Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security80740.(a)The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
(b)To the maximum extent feasible, purchases made using moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter shall be made from certified organic producers or producers in a three-year organic transition period.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter facilitate the production of, access to, the preparation of, and the distribution of certified organic or otherwise sustainably grown and culturally relevant fruits and vegetables, grains, and legumes, and dairy, meat, and seafood sustainably produced or harvested locally or regionally.
80741.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred twenty million dollars ($320,000,000) shall be available to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers established pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 33380) of Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs, including, but not limited to, any of the following purposes:
(1)New construction or renovation of kitchen facilities, including central kitchens and associated warehouses, storage facilities, and delivery and loading dock areas.
(2)New construction or renovation of meal preparation areas, meal service areas, or areas used for dining and drinking water access.
(3)Facility assessments and architectural and engineering services.
(4)Purchase of major equipment, including, but not limited to, refrigeration and freezer systems, dishwashers, convection ovens, steam tables, point of service point-of-service systems, delivery vehicles, and refrigerated trucks.
(5)Payment of local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process.
(6)Technical assistance programs pursuant to subdivision (e).
(b)To the greatest extent possible, projects funded pursuant to this section shall be designed to further at least one of the following purposes:
(1)Increase student participation in school meal programs.
(2)Increase access to nutritious, organically or sustainably produced, minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared foods.
(3)Increase school food authority procurement from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(c)Kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure improvements funded pursuant to this section may be designed to do either or both of the following:
(1)To be used by multiple local educational agencies.
(2)When not in use by the local educational agency that owns the infrastructure, to be used by any of the following entities or for any of the following purposes:
(A)Food banks.
(B)Nonprofit medically tailored meal providers.
(C)Adult daycare centers.
(D)Childcare providers.
(E)Operators of summer and after school federal- and state-funded nutrition programs.
(F)Small-scale food businesses.
(G)Workforce development programs.
(H)Community education programs.
(I)Senior nutrition providers.
(J)Homeless shelters.
(K)Faith-based organizations.
(L)The University of California Cooperative Extension.
(M)CalFresh healthy living nutrition education programs.
(N)4-H programs.
(d)(1)At least 75 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 50 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(2)At least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 80 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(e)Technical assistance programs funded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, supporting the efforts of administrators and staff of school nutrition programs to do any of the following:
(1)Increase student access and participation in school nutrition programs.
(2)Prepare and serve culturally relevant and traditional Native American foods.
(3)Increase student fruit and vegetable consumption.
(4)Expand procurement of farm-direct California-grown organic produce, including through the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.
(5)Expand the use of minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared food and preparation techniques, including development of culinary skills by food service staff.
(6)Overseeing the planning, architectural design, and construction oversight processes.
(7)Increase language accessibility.
(f)The Department of General Services may provide up to 50 percent of moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
80742.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans.
(b)Moneys allocated pursuant to this section may only be used to support the capacity enhancement and disaster resilience needs of the emergency food delivery system, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Capital investments needed to support the collection, storage, preparation, and distribution of foods produced within California to help support local and regional producers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, emphasizing local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, sustainably produced, nutritious, unique to their geographic areas, and meet the needs of food insecure populations.
(2)The provision of food that is culturally relevant to program participants, including traditional Native American foods.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize projects that procure from small- to mid-sized farms, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, farmers or ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, tribal communities, or producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(d)The State Department of Social Services shall establish an application process for allocating moneys pursuant to this section, which shall not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services.
(e)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize applicants that serve Medi-Cal eligible and uninsured populations and substantially integrate racial equity into the design and implementation of their proposed use of those moneys.
(f)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services may do one or both of the following:
(1)Provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by the recipient.
(2)Authorize at least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section to be used for personnel or other operational expenses.
80743.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred sixty million dollars ($360,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture, in coordination with the State Department of Public Health, the California Department of Aging, the State Department of Social Services, and other agencies, shall competitively award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, county, city, or tribal governments, tribal organizations, tribal entities, farmers, ranchers, or agricultural cooperatives.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects for which a one-time infusion of state dollars will help the project become self-sustaining.
(d)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall be allocated as follows:
(1)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to develop year-round infrastructure for certified farmers markets, as defined in Section 47004 of the Food and Agricultural Code, fishermens markets, as defined in Section 113780 of the Health and Safety Code, or tribe-operated or native-serving farmers markets to provide shoppers with high-quality fresh produce sold by California producers with a certified producers certificate issued pursuant to Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)All-weather infrastructure such as canopies and shade structures, tables and seating, market stalls, restrooms and hand wash stations, tent weights and tie-downs, produce washing stations, barricades and bollards for traffic management and pedestrian safety, bicycle parking racks, and other equipment.
(B)Facilities for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and other nutrition education.
(C)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point of sale point-of-sale terminals for market managers and producers to process CalFresh transactions.
(D)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point of sale point-of-sale terminals for producers to accept the electronic cash value benefit through the program designed to implement the federal WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-314) pursuant to Section 123279 of the Health and Safety Code.
(E)Other equipment to support the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, as described in Section 3007 of Title 7 of the United States Code.
(2)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community-supported agriculture programs, as defined in Section 47060 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including, but not limited to, expenditures for either of the following purposes:
(A)Facilities and supplies for storing, packing, processing, or establishing a main pickup point for produce.
(B)Delivery vehicles for transporting food products directly to residents in disadvantaged communities.
(3)Seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) to advance tribal food sovereignty to grow, produce, procure, and distribute foods that reflect culture and traditions and support the development of traditional food producers and vendors.
(4)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community or school food gardens, including community food producers as defined in Section 113752 of the Health and Safety Code, city and suburban agriculture using backyard, rooftop, or balcony gardening, indoor gardening, community gardening in vacant lots and parks, roadside urban fringe agriculture, and livestock grazing in open space, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)Lumber, irrigation systems, electrification projects, tool sheds, greenhouses, fencing, onsite refrigeration for food storage, and vehicles.
(ii)Equipment for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and agricultural education.
(iii)Other community food garden equipment and supplies, which may include soil testing kits, soil amendments, raised beds, and drip irrigation systems.
(iv)Construction of community food gardens at multiunit housing facilities, vacant lots, places of worship, tribal communities, hospitals, and schools.
(v)Purchase of land, prioritizing ownership by community or accredited land trusts.
(vi)Construction of developments that combine housing with farms or community gardens and benefit residents of vulnerable populations or residents located in disadvantaged communities.
(vii)Construction of urban-edge agriculture parks to be leased as multiple small farms for organic or sustainable farming to produce food.
(viii)Local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process to create or expand a community food garden.
(ix)Projects that teach youth about careers in agriculture, emphasizing community gardening, horticulture, and education through outdoor, rooftop, and other gardening facilities to empower children and youth to grow their own food.
(B)At least 60 percent of the grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall benefit disadvantaged communities.
(C)A project funded pursuant to this paragraph shall not be required to have a minimum acreage or minimum amount of production income.
(5)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for use in disadvantaged communities and areas without easy access to supermarkets or grocery stores to create or expand mobile produce markets, mobile farmers farmers markets, mobile food carts for selling produce, and mobile food pantries for distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)The purchase or lease of a bus, truck, van, cart, or other vehicle with space to display produce.
(ii)Retrofitting a vehicle or refrigeration and food safety infrastructure.
(iii)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point of sale point-of-sale terminals for mobile produce markets and mobile farmers markets to process CalFresh transactions.
(iv)Mobile technology applications or digital tools for communicating the availability of foods.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph for the lease or purchase of vehicles shall prioritize fuel-efficient or zero-emission vehicles.
(6)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to create or expand healthy food access outlets, including to provide infrastructure investments for healthy food access outlets, including food retail, food service, and grocery or meal dropoff facilities, in affordable housing developments or through home delivery, including, but not limited to, any of the following expansions of community or tribal-owned healthy food access outlets:
(A)The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program created pursuant to Section 49015 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including refrigeration units provided to convenience stores, corner stores, food service facilities, grocery stores located in rural communities or on Indian reservations, and for use in mobile produce markets.
(B)Refrigeration units in community fridges run through mutual aid projects.
(7)(A)Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) for newly constructed or renovated community teaching kitchens that teach community members experiencing food insecurity how to plan, prepare, and cook using local and sustainable ingredients, emphasizing human health and well-being.
(B)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to purchase major equipment, including all of the following:
(i)Refrigeration and freezer systems.
(ii)Dishwashers.
(iii)Baking equipment.
(iv)Ranges and convection ovens.
(v)Tables and furniture.
(vi)Other cooking equipment, supplies, and utensils.
(C)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may also be used for both of the following purposes:
(i)Permits and inspection fees required by local governments and tribal agencies.
(ii)Video equipment used to make teaching kitchen classes available via videoconferencing, recordings, and other means.
(D)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to develop training programs for beginning food makers, food entrepreneurs, and farmers and ranchers developing value-added products for the purpose of bringing jobs to their communities.
(8)(A)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to expand Food is Medicine programs administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, in collaboration with the California Department of Aging and the federal Indian Health Service.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall prioritize infrastructure for the production and distribution of medically tailored meals pursuant to the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and to support produce prescriptions, food pharmacies, and other appropriate nutrition services that address medical needs, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i)Production scale commercial kitchens, including facilities and equipment.
(ii)Refrigeration and freezer capacity.
(iii)Refrigerated vehicles or trailers.
(iv)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and food pharmacies.
(C)For purposes of this paragraph, Food is Medicine programs are programs prescribed by health care professionals that are designed to meet the dietary and health needs of vulnerable people with chronic and acute illnesses through the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(e)The Department of Food and Agriculture may provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
(f)Technical assistance and workforce development moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be allocated for training to support the procurement of California-produced organic food, improving language accessibility, and implementation of the Local, Equitable Access to Food (LEAF) Program (Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 49020)) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
80744.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs under the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act (Division 8.5 (commencing with Section 9000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code).
(b)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the California Department of Aging shall prioritize purchasing, upgrading, or refurbishing infrastructure for the production and distribution of congregate or home-delivered meals, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1)Production-scale commercial kitchens.
(2)Warming, refrigeration, or freezer capacity.
(3)Refrigerated vehicles.
(4)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of meals.
(5)Technological or data system infrastructure for monitoring client health outcomes.
(6)Food from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(7)Expanding infrastructure to support farm-to-seniors programs that improve older adults access to California grown and produced food, focusing on local organic produce and local meat, poultry, and dairy products.
5.Strengthening Regional Food Economies80750.The sum of nine hundred fifteen million dollars ($915,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80751.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, four hundred seventy million dollars ($470,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To develop or upgrade aggregation, primary processing, cooling, and storage facilities for farm and fiber products, with a focus on regions that have insufficient capacity to meet the needs of farmers.
(2)To develop or upgrade processing facilities and supply chain infrastructure in urban and rural areas, including those that could increase capacity when needed to support emergency food distribution.
(3)To support the development of value-added processing of agricultural products that increase income and market opportunities for farmers and ranchers, including upgrades to producer or handler facilities to comply with organic certification requirements.
(4)To develop or upgrade facilities that support the development and growth of new food and fiber businesses, including commercial or community kitchens and food and fiber processing, cooling, storage, and distribution facilities.
(b)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize all of the following:
(1)Projects that provide culturally relevant food access.
(2)Projects that support job creation, training, and placement.
(3)Projects, such as food hubs and marketing cooperatives, that meet the supply chain and marketing needs of locally and regionally produced food and fiber products.
(4)Projects, including agriculture centers and food hubs, that incorporate support for producers during public safety power shutoffs and disasters, including backup energy supply for recharging battery powered equipment, temporary housing of evacuated livestock, and food preservation equipment or cold storage.
(5)Projects that have been included or identified as needed in producer or community-guided regional food system planning processes implemented with local public and philanthropic moneys or local, state, or federal moneys.
(c)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to farmers, ranchers, nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal governments, and businesses, including cooperatives.
80752.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.
(b)The State Coastal Conservancy shall award grants pursuant to this section only to public entities, nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments, that provide fishing facilities and related infrastructure to the commercial fishing industry.
(c)For purposes of this section, fishing facilities and related infrastructure include, but are not limited to, fish handling and processing infrastructure and facilities, such as public hoists, ice machines, gear storage, refrigeration, freezers, and other processing facilities, and canneries.
80753.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To build, expand, or upgrade meat processing infrastructure for slaughter, cut and wrap, and value-added processing.
(2)To develop mobile meat processing facilities that meet federal inspection and certification guidelines and can serve multiple meat producers.
(3)To upgrade inspection protocols and data and communication hardware commensurate with a robust meat inspection service to enable interstate and intrastate sales of meat and poultry from state inspected plants.
(4)To reimburse all or a portion of the costs associated with meeting federal inspection and certification requirements.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to meat processing or tribal businesses that have less than 150 employees.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize disadvantaged communities and tribal nations.
80754.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, one hundred ten million dollars ($110,000,000) shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
(b)Allocations received by a food processor pursuant to this section shall be used to demonstrate the food processors reliability and effectiveness.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to subdivision (a), the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize food processors that primarily serve local and regional in-state markets.
(d)Up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) may be used to provide technical assistance, including program outreach, to potential applicants for project development, completing applications, and project implementation. Of these moneys allocated for technical assistance, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize supporting small-scale food processors supplying local and regional in-state markets.
80755.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
(b)Nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies shall be eligible to be awarded a grant pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)A project eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A)Primarily serve a disadvantaged community.
(B)Provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)Maximize environmental, public health, and economic cobenefits to nearby disadvantaged communities.
(D)Include an advisory group or body that consists of community members from disadvantaged communities and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers involved with, or with knowledge of, sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, or indigenous land stewardship and agricultural practices.
(2)Projects eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, projects that purchase land or build infrastructure to develop regional farmer training sites to enable socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and farmworkers entering farm management to share agricultural and ecological knowledge.
(d)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize training sites in disadvantaged communities, and award the majority of the grant moneys to projects that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities or provide farm management and business training to farmworkers to develop new farm operations.
80756.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers by funding existing and new programs to provide technical assistance and grants to purchase equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and create facilities that store tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and fund maintenance, training, and personnel costs.
(b)The purposes for which grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be used include, but are not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Grants to develop and expand equipment sharing, including to do either of the following:
(A)Purchase tools, equipment, and infrastructure to support conservation practices, including, but not limited to, soil health practices, water conservation, and wildfire resilience.
(B)Purchase equipment and infrastructure to enhance regional food systems and cooperative resources for small and underserved farmers.
(2)Technical assistance to support cooperative development, training on and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)Infrastructure eligible to be purchased using grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section includes, but is not limited to, roller crimpers, seed drills, wood chippers, compost spreaders, tractor trailers, processing equipment, and no-till drills.
(d)Entities eligible to be awarded a grant, or otherwise supported, pursuant to this section include resource conservation districts, University of California Cooperative Extensions, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving small and underserved farmers.
(e)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section, the Department of Conservation shall do all of the following:
(1)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(2)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraph (1), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(3)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
80757.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.
(b)To support immediate infrastructure deployments to create jobs and promote economic recovery, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery shall award grants or make performance payments for compost infrastructure, including compost spreaders for farms to apply compost, and food recovery projects at existing and new community composting facilities, onfarm composting facilities, and commercial composting facilities to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and nitrous oxide emissions and to support sequestration of carbon in the states agricultural and urban soils.
6.Fiscal Provisions80770.(a)Bonds in the total amount of three billion three hundred sixty-five million dollars ($3,365,000,000), not including the amount of any refunding bonds issued in accordance with Section 80779, may be issued and sold for the purposes expressed in this division and to reimburse the General Obligation Bond Expense Revolving Fund pursuant to Section 16724.5 of the Government Code. The bonds, when sold, issued, and delivered, shall be and constitute a valid and binding obligation of the State of California, and the full faith and credit of the State of California is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of, and interest on, the bonds as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The Treasurer shall issue and sell the bonds authorized in subdivision (a) in the amount determined by the committee to be necessary or desirable pursuant to Section 80773. The bonds shall be issued and sold upon the terms and conditions specified in a resolution to be adopted by the committee pursuant to Section 16731 of the Government Code.
80771.(a)(1)The bonds authorized by this division shall be prepared, executed, issued, sold, paid, and redeemed as provided in the State General Obligation Bond Law, and all of the provisions of that law apply to the bonds and to this division and are hereby incorporated in this division as though set forth in full in this division, except that Section 16727 of the Government Code shall not apply.
(2)Proceeds from the sale of any bonds issued pursuant to this division shall be used only for any of the following purposes:
(A)For the purposes authorized in this division.
(B)To repay moneys borrowed in anticipation of the sale of the bonds, including interest, and to pay interest on the bonds themselves.
(C)To pay the costs of a state agency with responsibility for administering the bond program, including costs incurred by the Treasurer, Controller, Department of Finance, and State Public Works Board for staff, operating expenses, and equipment, and consultants costs.
(D)To pay the costs of the Treasurers office directly associated with the sale and payment of the bonds, including, but not limited to, underwriting discounts, costs of printing, bond counsel, registration, and fees of trustees.
(b)For purposes of this division, the references to committee in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Committee created in Section 80772, and the references to board in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
80772.(a)Solely for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and sale pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law of the bonds authorized by this division, the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Committee is hereby created.
(b)The committee consists of the Controller, the Treasurer, and the Director of Finance. Notwithstanding any other law, any member may designate a representative to act as that member in the members place for all purposes, as though the member were personally present.
(c)The Treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the committee. A majority of the committee may act for the committee.
80773.The committee shall determine by resolution if it is necessary or desirable to issue and sell bonds authorized pursuant to this division in order to carry out the actions specified in this division and, if so, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold. Successive issues of bonds may be authorized and sold to carry out those actions progressively, and it is not necessary that all of the bonds authorized to be issued be sold at any one time.
80774.There shall be collected each year and in the same manner and at the same time as other state revenue is collected, in addition to the ordinary revenues of the state, a sum in an amount required to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds becoming due each year. It is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in regard to the collection of the revenue to do and perform each and every act that is necessary to collect that additional sum.
80775.Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, there is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund in the State Treasury, for the purposes of this division and without regard to fiscal years, an amount that equals the total of the following:
(a)The sum annually necessary to pay the principal of, and interest on, bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division, as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The sum necessary to carry out Section 80777.
80776.The board may request the Pooled Money Investment Board to make a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account, in accordance with Section 16312 of the Government Code, for the purpose of carrying out this division less any amount withdrawn pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that the committee has, by resolution, authorized to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to this section and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The board shall execute any documents required by the Pooled Money Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan. Any amounts loaned shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division.
80777.For the purposes of carrying out this division, the Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General Fund of an amount not to exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that have been authorized by the committee to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to Section 80776 and not yet repaid, and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to this section and not yet returned to the General Fund. Any amounts withdrawn shall be deposited in the fund. Any moneys made available under this section shall be returned to the General Fund from proceeds received from the sale of bonds for the purpose of carrying out this division.
80778.All moneys deposited into the fund that are derived from premium and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be reserved in the fund and shall be available for transfer to the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest, except those amounts derived from premium may be reserved and used to pay the cost of bond issuance before any transfer to the General Fund.
80779.The bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division may be refunded in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section 16780) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code, which is a part of the State General Obligation Bond Law. Approval by the voters of the state for the issuance of the bonds described in this division includes the approval of the issuance of any bonds issued to refund any bonds originally issued under this division or any previously issued refunding bonds. Any bond refunded with the proceeds of refunding bonds as authorized by this section may be legally defeased to the extent permitted by law in the manner and to the extent set forth in the resolution, as amended from time to time, authorizing that refunded bond.
80780.Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, or of the State General Obligation Bond Law, if the Treasurer sells bonds pursuant to this division that include a bond counsel opinion to the effect that the interest on the bonds is excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes under designated conditions or is otherwise entitled to any federal tax advantage, the Treasurer may maintain separate accounts for the investment of bond proceeds and for the investment of earnings on those proceeds. The Treasurer may use or direct the use of those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate, penalty, or other payment required under federal law or take any other action with respect to the investment and use of those bond proceeds or earnings required or desirable under federal law to maintain the tax exempt tax-exempt status of those bonds and to obtain any other advantage under federal law on behalf of the funds of this state.
80781.The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this division are not proceeds of taxes as that term is used in Article XIII B of the California Constitution, and the disbursement of these proceeds is not subject to the limitations imposed by that article.
SEC. 2.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 3.Section 1 of this act shall take effect upon the approval by the voters of the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, as set forth in Section 1 of this act.
SEC. 4.Section 1 of this act shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election in accordance with provisions of the Government Code and the Elections Code governing the submission of a statewide measure to the voters.
This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80701.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)A secure, resilient, sustainable, and equitable food and farming system is essential for the economic and social well-being of the people of California. The climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the states food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. The scale of these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainability and resiliency, including investments in infrastructure related to the needs of farms, ranches, farmworkers, distribution systems, and food access.
(b)Climate change increases the risk of extreme weather events, biodiversity losses, catastrophic wildfires, and sea level rise, and presents a significant threat to the health, safety, and prosperity of the people of California.
(c)Californias low-income communities of color and tribal communities bear a disproportionate burden of climate changes adverse impacts, and many of these communities are still recovering from the inequitable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(d)Approximately 20.3 percent of Californians, or 7,900,000 people, are food insecure. Black, African American, Latino, Native American, and other Californians who identify with two or more racial categories have higher rates of food insecurity compared to their non-Latino, White counterparts.
(e)Food and nutrition insecurity affect Californians across their lifespans, starting in childhood for millions of children who grow up in poverty, and continuing into late adulthood for the nearly 40 percent of low-income Californians over 60 years of age who are food insecure.
(f)Farmworkers, a primarily Latino and immigrant workforce, who often lack access to safe, affordable housing and live in overcrowded housing conditions, are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, wildfire smoke exposure, heat-related illness, and work interruptions as the climate crisis intensifies.
(g)Latino children in California are 91 percent more likely than White children to attend schools with significant pesticide exposure.
(h)Low-income communities of color and tribal communities have less access to healthy foods than higher income communities, and consequently face disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease.
(i)Farmers are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale farms and farmers of color.
(j)With California agricultural land prices increasing 10 percent between 2021 and 2022, accessing agricultural land and securing land tenure continue to present obstacles for small-scale farmers. Farmers of color have also faced generations of discriminatory lending and market practices and ongoing barriers that prevent them from accessing land, culturally relevant technical support, and recovery initiatives.
(k)Food system essential workers are often required to continue working during ongoing emergencies, such as wildfires and extreme heat events, and too often are denied access to adequate safety measures to protect their personal health and the well-being of their family members.
(l)Strategic investments in infrastructure projects that support Californias workforce, climate-resilient farms and ranches, regional food supply chains, increased access to healthy foods, tribal nations, and historically underserved communities will help build Californias economy, while increasing the states overall resilience against future catastrophes, including climate change.
(m)Sustainable agricultural production, including certified organic production and climate-smart agriculture practices, increases the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, while providing cobenefits for the economy, public health, and the environment.
(n)During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemics disruption, a record number of farmers applied to the states climate-smart agriculture programs, showing a growing interest for state investments in climate friendly farming practices and indigenous traditional land management practices.
(o)Investing in farmworkers and food supply-chain workers will help California meet the needs of a 21st century workforce while supporting the well-being of, and safe working conditions for, Californias essential workers.
(p)Building decentralized local and regional food system infrastructure, from production to consumption, will combat hunger, create jobs, and increase long-term resilience in communities throughout the state.
(q)Rebuilding regional food infrastructure in key areas, including community and school commercial kitchens, fishing infrastructure, local meat processing facilities, and food hubs for improved distribution, will increase healthy food access for Californians, especially for children, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.
(r)Discriminatory practices and their ongoing legacy mean that many farmers of color are unable to access technical and financial resources. An equitable economy requires direct distribution of funding to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and historically underserved communities of color through tribal governments and entities led by people of color.
(s)Empowering indigenous communities and tribal producers through investments that acknowledge and support their unique traditions and cultural practices will build strong indigenous-driven food systems that benefit all Californians.
(t)The investment of public funds pursuant to this division will result in public, environmental, social, and economic benefits and address inequities in our food and farming systems.
(u)Consumer interest in sustainably grown organic produce has surpassed in-state supplies in recent years, with demand for organic produce at unprecedented levels in recent years.
(v)To reduce food and nutrition insecurity and improve access to healthy food, the investment of public moneys pursuant to this division is necessary in order to build the infrastructure necessary to support community-based resilient food systems. Communities and tribes will have control over where their foods come from, with the ability to focus on the public health, environmental, and economic impacts. In a more just food system, all communities can have both increased access to nutritious, affordable food and the ability to maintain a food system that prioritizes environmental and human needs.
(w)Existing law requires the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative Council to implement an initiative to expand access to nutritious food in underserved, urban, and rural communities and to eliminate food deserts in California.
80702.For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:
(a)Beginning farmer or rancher means a person who has materially and substantially participated in the operation of a farm or ranch for 10 years or less.
(b)Committee means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created pursuant to Section 80772.
(c)Disadvantaged community means any of the following:
(1)A community located in a census tract in which the median household income of less than 80 percent of the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(2)A municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 20,000 persons or less, with an annual median household income that is less than 85 percent of the statewide median household income.
(3)A community located in a census tract in which the household income of at least 20 percent of the population is at or below the federal poverty level based on family size.
(d)Food hub means a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution of locally or regionally produced food products.
(e)Fund means the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund created pursuant to Section 80703.
(f)Heat-island effect means the effect of increased temperatures in urbanized areas caused by structures, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, that absorb and re-emit the suns heat more than natural landscapes such as farms, forests, and water bodies.
(g)Limited resource farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(h)Local educational agency means a charter school, school district, or county office of education.
(i)Nonprofit organization means a nonprofit corporation qualified to do business in California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(j)Priority population means any of the following:
(1)A community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)A low-income household, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3)A low-income community, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
(k)Producer means a person, partnership, corporation, or otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products through agricultural arts on land that the entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possess. An entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possess property only during the harvest season for the agricultural products produced on that property is not a producer.
(l)Resilience means the ability of an entity or system, including an individual, community, or natural system, and its component parts to absorb, accommodate, or recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its essential basic structures and functions. In the case of natural and working lands, resilience includes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the lands ability to sequester carbon.
(m)School food authorities has the same meaning as defined in Section 49563 of the Education Code.
(n)Small- and medium-sized farms means farms and ranches of 500 acres or less.
(o)Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher has the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(p)State General Obligation Bond Law means the State General Obligation Bond Law (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 16720) of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code), as it may be amended from time to time.
(q)Sustainable agriculture means a system of management practices that increase the climate resilience of Californias agriculture sector, provide cobenefits for public health, the economy, and the environment, and can help improve the health of communities by protecting and conserving water, reducing the use of synthetic farm inputs, protecting air quality, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, reducing onfarm emissions of greenhouse gases, and increasing soil carbon content.
(r)Technical assistance means outreach, education, project planning assistance, project design assistance, grant application assistance, project implementation assistance, and project reporting assistance provided to project applicants.
(s)Tribal government means the government of a tribe, tribal agency, or subdivision thereof.
(t)Tribal organization means any of the following:
(1)A tribal government.
(2)A legally established organization of natives that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal government, is democratically elected by the adult members of the tribal community to be served by the legally established organization, and maximizes participation of natives in all phases of its activities.
(3)A nonprofit organization chartered under tribal government law or state law that is primarily led by and serves tribal communities.
(u)Tribal producer means either of the following:
(1)A member of a tribe who is involved in agricultural production or traditional tending, gathering, hunting, or fishing.
(2)A cultural practitioner who manages land traditionally for food, fiber, ceremonial, or other culture-based purposes.
(v)Tribe means a federally recognized Native American tribe or a nonfederally recognized Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community listed on the California tribal consultation list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
(w)Vulnerable population means a subgroup of a population within a region or community that faces a disproportionately heightened risk of, or increased sensitivity to, impacts of climate change and that lacks adequate resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from those impacts.
80703.The proceeds of bonds, excluding those issued in accordance with Section 80779, issued and sold pursuant to this division shall be deposited into the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. All moneys in the fund, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are hereby continuously appropriated without respect to fiscal years for the purposes of this division.
80704.Up to 5 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division may be used for administrative costs.
80705.(a)Except as provided in subdivision (b), not more than 10 percent of the moneys made available to an administering agency pursuant to each section of this division may be expended for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects to be funded by those moneys. This section does not restrict the expenditure of moneys ordinarily used by a state agency for preliminary plans, working drawings, and construction, as defined in the annual Budget Act for a capital outlay project or grant project.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a state agency administering moneys made available pursuant to a section of this division may use more than 10 percent of those moneys for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects pursuant to that section if the state agency determines that the additional moneys are needed for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)A state agency may allocate moneys pursuant to this division to a federal agency if the state agency determines the allocation is the most efficient way to implement this division on federally managed lands.
(d)At least 40 percent of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to this division shall be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations, except if the agency allocating those moneys reasonably determines that it cannot allocate the full amount of those moneys consistent with both this subdivisions requirement and the other applicable requirements of this division, the agency may, notwithstanding this subdivisions requirement, allocate those moneys consistent with the other applicable requirements of this division in a manner that furthers the fundamental purposes of this subdivision to the greatest extent feasible.
(e)All services, technical assistance, outreach, and support described in this division shall be provided in culturally competent ways that best serve the target population and are fully and equally accessible to those of limited English proficiency.
80706.(a)In the allocation and administration of funding authorized pursuant to this division, priority shall be given to projects that leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.
(b)To the extent practicable, when allocating moneys pursuant to this division, an agency shall prioritize projects that do any of the following, with greatest prioritization for projects that offer multiple health, economic, social, and environmental benefits:
(1)Support the needs expressed by, and leverage the expertise of, community-based organizations and coalitions, and the constituencies they represent.
(2)Invest in holistic community development efforts, especially in disadvantaged communities, that simultaneously promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation.
(3)Build the infrastructure needed to support and bolster socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, especially producers of color and small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers.
(4)Expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet Californias climate goals and the regional needs of Californias communities.
(5)Emphasize partnerships between community-based and other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, research institutions, and local governments to support economic development and climate resilience.
(6)Support the formation and continued success of cooperatively owned and operated food and agriculture businesses in historically underserved communities.
(7)Address the needs of historically underserved communities, including the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, disadvantaged communities, and food system workers.
(8)Support the health, safety, and financial security of the food and agriculture workforce.
(9)Accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that degrade soil, air, and water quality and disproportionately harm farmworker communities and communities adjacent to farmland.
(10)Reduce food insecurity and increase access to sustainable and healthy food for all Californians.
(11)Acknowledge and protect indigenous knowledge and expertise to build more just, equitable, and resilient tribally led food and farming systems.
(12)Reduce inequities in land ownership and access, protect farmland, facilitate land tenure, and support farm viability and transition.
(c)A project funded pursuant to this division shall include signage informing the public that the project received funding from the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
80707.Moneys allocated pursuant to this division shall not be used to fulfill any environmental mitigation requirements imposed by law.
80708.For moneys allocated for a project that serves a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, the administering agency may provide advanced payments in the amount of 50 percent of the allocation to the recipient to initiate the project in a timely manner, and may maintain advance payments in increments of 25 percent of the allocation, as needed, throughout the projects implementation. The administering agency shall adopt additional requirements for additional advance payments to ensure that the moneys are used properly and the project is completed.
80709.(a)Except as specified in subdivision (b), up to 10 percent of the moneys available to an administering agency pursuant to each chapter of this division may be allocated for technical assistance and capacity building. Each administering state agency shall operate a multidisciplinary technical assistance program for this purpose.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an administering agency may exceed the 10-percent limitation if it determines the additional funding is needed to provide technical assistance and capacity building for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
80710.Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to the development and adoption of guidelines, requirements, or selection criteria pursuant to this division.
80711.To the extent consistent with federal law, all proceeds of bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be available to individuals regardless of their immigration status.
2.Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture80720.The sum of nine hundred fifty million dollars ($950,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80720.5.Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter may be used for technical assistance to support farmers and ranchers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers and ranchers in languages other than English.
80721.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, two hundred eighty million dollars ($280,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture to improve the climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, and shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and improve water and nutrient holding capacity, in a manner that will increase carbon sequestration and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(b)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that also improve soil water-holding capacity and reduce nutrient runoff, and projects located in priority groundwater basins, as designated in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(3)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall ensure that at least 25 percent of those moneys benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(c)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, including, but not limited to, pasture-based practices, manure composting, solids separation, prescribed grazing, and compost bedded pack barns.
(2)The Department of Food and Agriculture may use up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision for demonstration projects.
(3)Moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision shall not be used to fund anaerobic digesters.
(4)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(d)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices.
(2)In allocating moneys pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers or ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(e)(1)Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management.
(2)Projects eligible for a grant pursuant to this subdivision include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)The construction of climate-controlled rooms and greenhouses, including, but not limited to, offices, labs, and storage spaces.
(B)The purchase of equipment, including, but not limited to, vacuum and other monitoring and insect release equipment.
(C)The purchase of vehicles, including, but not limited to, for transport for monitoring and releasing beneficial organisms, such as pickups, three-wheelers, and drones.
(D)The purchase of electronic equipment for computing, communications, telecomputing, and community education.
(E)The purchase of monitoring equipment, and data collection and mapping software, to monitor and map the habitats of pollinators and beneficial pest predators that provide critical ecosystem services.
(3)In awarding grants pursuant to this subdivision, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects that provide biological control tools for specific crop and pest problems of the region in which the insectary is located.
(4)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts.
80722.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, one hundred forty million dollars ($140,000,000) shall be available to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multibenefit floodplain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code). Eligible projects shall provide for floodplain expansion and habitat restoration, resulting in flood risk reduction and groundwater recharge.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80723.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects.
80724.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species.
(b)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80725.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, four hundred twenty million dollars ($420,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure, including, but not limited to, nurseries, seed banks, and other related plant and seed propagation and distribution facilities, and to support the growing demand for riparian restoration, afforestation, habitat improvements, native plant and grass establishment, shrub and woody planting, and other agroecosystem improvements on natural and working lands.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) for grants to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies for the protection and enhancement of agricultural lands, including the acquisition of fee title or agricultural conservation easements on agricultural lands, in order to improve climate resilience, pollinator habitat, California native biodiversity, flood protection, or groundwater recharge.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(c)(1)One hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers. The Department of Conservation may award grants to land trusts or other qualified nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, or tribal entities for the purpose of acquiring agricultural lands for sale to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers, which shall be conditioned upon the sale occurring within three years of the acquisition. Any land acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to an agricultural conservation easement before its sale.
(2)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision, the Department Conservation shall do all of the following:
(A)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(B)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraph (A), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
(d)(1)Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the states renewable energy goals.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(e)(1)Sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) to support the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code) through grants to groundwater sustainability agencies, counties, local agencies designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county, and nongovernmental organizations designated by a groundwater sustainability agency or county for implementation of projects supporting reduced use of groundwater and multibenefit land repurposing at the basin scale.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(f)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to resource conservation districts pursuant to Section 9408 and tribal resource conservation districts to implement projects that restore or enhance riparian corridors on agricultural lands.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
80726.Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80720, seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, which shall be allocated as follows:
(a)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to upgrade irrigation-district level water delivery systems to conserve water and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, including through the installation of pressurized pipes, real-time flow meters at farm gates, and on-demand water delivery software.
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for planning, design, outreach, training, research, development, and monitoring.
(b)(1)Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) for grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement practices supporting reduced use of groundwater in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(2)Up to 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this subdivision may be used for technical assistance to support farmers and ranchers applying for, designing, developing, and implementing grants, including by providing support for farmers and ranchers in languages other than English.
3.Protecting the Health and Well-Being of Californias Farmworkers80730.The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80731.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, four hundred fifty million dollars ($450,000,000) shall be available to the Strategic Growth Council established pursuant to Section 75121 to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program administered pursuant to Section 75210 for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
(b)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grant moneys pursuant to this section for a project only if the project meets all of the following requirements:
(1)The project includes transit and transportation options, including, but not limited to, electric vehicle charging stations, shuttles to public transit or bus services, bus shelters, and benches.
(2)The project is located within two miles of essential services, such as grocery stores, schools, and public libraries.
(3)The project will include the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
(4)The project includes adequate cooling.
(5)The project does not involve financing or other agreements with terms that would result in residency restrictions based on immigration status.
(c)The Strategic Growth Council shall develop guidelines for the awarding of grants pursuant to this section, and shall do both of the following:
(1)In developing the guidelines, hold public meetings in at least three rural communities, including, but not limited to, meetings in the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and the Inland Empire.
(2)Develop the guidelines in a manner that prioritizes awarding grants for projects in areas with the highest amount of farmworker housing need.
(d)The Strategic Growth Council shall award grants pursuant to this section only to any of the following eligible recipients:
(1)Developers.
(2)Nonprofit organizations.
(3)Public agencies.
(4)Tribal governments.
(e)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall not be used for the construction of single-gender dormitories or other single-gender housing projects.
(f)The Strategic Growth Council may award additional grant moneys to an otherwise eligible affordable farmworker housing project to cover all or a portion of the costs associated with the construction of any of the following facilities if the facilities would both primarily serve the residents of the farmworker housing and be located in, or adjacent to, the farmworker housing:
(1)Food hubs.
(2)Community centers.
(3)Food stores.
(4)Health care clinics.
(5)Childcare centers.
80732.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing.
(b)Except as specified in subdivision (d), a project shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section only if it meets both of the following requirements:
(1)The project provides a diversity of energy efficiency, water efficiency, heating, and cooling upgrades for farmworker housing, including, but not limited to, rooftop solar, solar-powered water heaters, home weatherization, energy-efficient appliances, portable or centralized heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, or energy-efficient windows.
(2)The project provides improved indoor air quality measures through the installation of air purifiers or other indoor air quality measures.
(c)All outreach and application materials used for the administration of grants pursuant to this section shall be translated into any non-English language spoken by a substantial number of community members served by a grant awarded pursuant to this section.
(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the Department of Community Services and Development may award grants pursuant to this section for community greening projects that reduce the heat-island effect, including, but not limited to, community gardens, tree plantings, parks, or bioswales located in, or adjacent to, farmworker housing.
80733.(a)Of the moneys made available by Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 face masks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks.
(b)In distributing personal protection equipment stockpiled pursuant to this section, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall prioritize distributing that equipment through farmworker resource centers established pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
80734.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources, including, but not limited to, for projects that include septic tank upgrades or consolidation of septic systems to address water quality contamination and public health threats in farmworker communities and projects that promote resilience and adaptation of small community wastewater treatment facilities at risk from sea level rise or saltwater intrusion, with preference for projects that provide wastewater recharge recycling.
(b)The State Water Resources Control Board shall award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, technical assistance providers, and tribal governments.
80735.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Office of Emergency Services to expand its California State Warning Center to include targeted alerts for public health dangers, including, without limitation, all of the following:
(1)The creation of a state notification system, including the development of a backbone telemetry system, that sends text and voice messages, in multiple languages, to residents and farmworkers based on their ZIP Codes to alert them of public health dangers in their area, including, but not limited to, smoke from wildfires, unhealthy air quality, or prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
(2)Coordination with other emergency system operations partners, and program management.
(3)Maintenance of telemetry infrastructure.
(b)(1)The Office of Emergency Services shall develop guidelines for the allocation of moneys pursuant to this section.
(2)The Office of Emergency Services shall hold at least one public meeting as part of developing the guidelines.
80736.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80730, one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12710) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and drinking water infrastructure for farmworkers.
(b)Moneys made available pursuant to this section shall be allocated for only the following purposes:
(1)The establishment of mobile farmworker resource centers, which shall be prioritized in areas where no state grant has been previously awarded for that purpose.
(2)Funding the deployment of infrastructure and equipment to provide safe, cool drinking water to farmworkers on job sites.
(c)Entities eligible to receive grants to establish farmworker resource centers include, but are not limited to, cities, counties, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities.
(d)Up to 10 percent of the moneys made available pursuant to this section may be used for design, planning, staff, services, and programs provided through farmworker resource centers, including, but not limited to, the services specified in Section 12712 of the Government Code.
4.Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security80740.(a)The sum of seven hundred fifty million dollars ($750,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
(b)To the maximum extent feasible, purchases made using moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter shall be made from certified organic producers or producers in a three-year organic transition period.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that moneys allocated pursuant to this chapter facilitate the production of, access to, the preparation of, and the distribution of certified organic or otherwise sustainably grown and culturally relevant fruits and vegetables, grains, and legumes, and dairy, meat, and seafood sustainably produced or harvested locally or regionally.
80741.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred twenty million dollars ($320,000,000) shall be available to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers established pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 33380) of Chapter 3 of Part 20 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Education Code, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs, including, but not limited to, any of the following purposes:
(1)New construction or renovation of kitchen facilities, including central kitchens and associated warehouses, storage facilities, and delivery and loading dock areas.
(2)New construction or renovation of meal preparation areas, meal service areas, or areas used for dining and drinking water access.
(3)Facility assessments and architectural and engineering services.
(4)Purchase of major equipment, including, but not limited to, refrigeration and freezer systems, dishwashers, convection ovens, steam tables, point of service systems, delivery vehicles, and refrigerated trucks.
(5)Payment of local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process.
(6)Technical assistance programs pursuant to subdivision (e).
(b)To the greatest extent possible, projects funded pursuant to this section shall be designed to further at least one of the following purposes:
(1)Increase student participation in school meal programs.
(2)Increase access to nutritious, organically or sustainably produced, minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared foods.
(3)Increase school food authority procurement from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(c)Kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure improvements funded pursuant to this section may be designed to do either or both of the following:
(1)To be used by multiple local educational agencies.
(2)When not in use by the local educational agency that owns the infrastructure, to be used by any of the following entities or for any of the following purposes:
(A)Food banks.
(B)Nonprofit medically tailored meal providers.
(C)Adult daycare centers.
(D)Childcare providers.
(E)Operators of summer and after school federal- and state-funded nutrition programs.
(F)Small-scale food businesses.
(G)Workforce development programs.
(H)Community education programs.
(I)Senior nutrition providers.
(J)Homeless shelters.
(K)Faith-based organizations.
(L)The University of California Cooperative Extension.
(M)CalFresh healthy living nutrition education programs.
(N)4-H programs.
(d)(1)At least 75 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 50 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(2)At least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to school food authorities for which at least 80 percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(e)Technical assistance programs funded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, supporting the efforts of administrators and staff of school nutrition programs to do any of the following:
(1)Increase student access and participation in school nutrition programs.
(2)Prepare and serve culturally relevant and traditional Native American foods.
(3)Increase student fruit and vegetable consumption.
(4)Expand procurement of farm-direct California-grown organic produce, including through the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.
(5)Expand the use of minimally processed, fresh and freshly prepared food and preparation techniques, including development of culinary skills by food service staff.
(6)Overseeing the planning, architectural design, and construction oversight processes.
(7)Increase language accessibility.
(f)The Department of General Services may provide up to 50 percent of moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
80742.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80740, fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans.
(b)Moneys allocated pursuant to this section may only be used to support the capacity enhancement and disaster resilience needs of the emergency food delivery system, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Capital investments needed to support the collection, storage, preparation, and distribution of foods produced within California to help support local and regional producers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, emphasizing local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, sustainably produced, nutritious, unique to their geographic areas, and meet the needs of food insecure populations.
(2)The provision of food that is culturally relevant to program participants, including traditional Native American foods.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize projects that procure from small- to mid-sized farms, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, farmers or ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, tribal communities, or producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(d)The State Department of Social Services shall establish an application process for allocating moneys pursuant to this section, which shall not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services.
(e)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services shall prioritize applicants that serve Medi-Cal eligible and uninsured populations and substantially integrate racial equity into the design and implementation of their proposed use of those moneys.
(f)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the State Department of Social Services may do one or both of the following:
(1)Provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by the recipient.
(2)Authorize at least 10 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section to be used for personnel or other operational expenses.
80743.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, three hundred sixty million dollars ($360,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture, in coordination with the State Department of Public Health, the California Department of Aging, the State Department of Social Services, and other agencies, shall competitively award grants pursuant to this section only to nonprofit organizations, county, city, or tribal governments, tribal organizations, tribal entities, farmers, ranchers, or agricultural cooperatives.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize projects for which a one-time infusion of state dollars will help the project become self-sustaining.
(d)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section shall be allocated as follows:
(1)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to develop year-round infrastructure for certified farmers markets, as defined in Section 47004 of the Food and Agricultural Code, fishermens markets, as defined in Section 113780 of the Health and Safety Code, or tribe-operated or native-serving farmers markets to provide shoppers with high-quality fresh produce sold by California producers with a certified producers certificate issued pursuant to Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)All-weather infrastructure such as canopies and shade structures, tables and seating, market stalls, restrooms and hand wash stations, tent weights and tie-downs, produce washing stations, barricades and bollards for traffic management and pedestrian safety, bicycle parking racks, and other equipment.
(B)Facilities for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and other nutrition education.
(C)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point of sale terminals for market managers and producers to process CalFresh transactions.
(D)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point of sale terminals for producers to accept the electronic cash value benefit through the program designed to implement the federal WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-314) pursuant to Section 123279 of the Health and Safety Code.
(E)Other equipment to support the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, as described in Section 3007 of Title 7 of the United States Code.
(2)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community-supported agriculture programs, as defined in Section 47060 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including, but not limited to, expenditures for either of the following purposes:
(A)Facilities and supplies for storing, packing, processing, or establishing a main pickup point for produce.
(B)Delivery vehicles for transporting food products directly to residents in disadvantaged communities.
(3)Seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) to advance tribal food sovereignty to grow, produce, procure, and distribute foods that reflect culture and traditions and support the development of traditional food producers and vendors.
(4)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to create or expand community or school food gardens, including community food producers as defined in Section 113752 of the Health and Safety Code, city and suburban agriculture using backyard, rooftop, or balcony gardening, indoor gardening, community gardening in vacant lots and parks, roadside urban fringe agriculture, and livestock grazing in open space, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)Lumber, irrigation systems, electrification projects, tool sheds, greenhouses, fencing, onsite refrigeration for food storage, and vehicles.
(ii)Equipment for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and agricultural education.
(iii)Other community food garden equipment and supplies, which may include soil testing kits, soil amendments, raised beds, and drip irrigation systems.
(iv)Construction of community food gardens at multiunit housing facilities, vacant lots, places of worship, tribal communities, hospitals, and schools.
(v)Purchase of land, prioritizing ownership by community or accredited land trusts.
(vi)Construction of developments that combine housing with farms or community gardens and benefit residents of vulnerable populations or residents located in disadvantaged communities.
(vii)Construction of urban-edge agriculture parks to be leased as multiple small farms for organic or sustainable farming to produce food.
(viii)Local building, permitting, or planning fees incurred throughout the design, review, or construction process to create or expand a community food garden.
(ix)Projects that teach youth about careers in agriculture, emphasizing community gardening, horticulture, and education through outdoor, rooftop, and other gardening facilities to empower children and youth to grow their own food.
(B)At least 60 percent of the grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall benefit disadvantaged communities.
(C)A project funded pursuant to this paragraph shall not be required to have a minimum acreage or minimum amount of production income.
(5)(A)Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for use in disadvantaged communities and areas without easy access to supermarkets or grocery stores to create or expand mobile produce markets, mobile farmers markets, mobile food carts for selling produce, and mobile food pantries for distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, including for any of the following purposes:
(i)The purchase or lease of a bus, truck, van, cart, or other vehicle with space to display produce.
(ii)Retrofitting a vehicle or refrigeration and food safety infrastructure.
(iii)Wireless electronic benefits transfer point of sale terminals for mobile produce markets and mobile farmers markets to process CalFresh transactions.
(iv)Mobile technology applications or digital tools for communicating the availability of foods.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph for the lease or purchase of vehicles shall prioritize fuel-efficient or zero-emission vehicles.
(6)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to create or expand healthy food access outlets, including to provide infrastructure investments for healthy food access outlets, including food retail, food service, and grocery or meal dropoff facilities, in affordable housing developments or through home delivery, including, but not limited to, any of the following expansions of community or tribal-owned healthy food access outlets:
(A)The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program created pursuant to Section 49015 of the Food and Agricultural Code, including refrigeration units provided to convenience stores, corner stores, food service facilities, grocery stores located in rural communities or on Indian reservations, and for use in mobile produce markets.
(B)Refrigeration units in community fridges run through mutual aid projects.
(7)(A)Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) for newly constructed or renovated community teaching kitchens that teach community members experiencing food insecurity how to plan, prepare, and cook using local and sustainable ingredients, emphasizing human health and well-being.
(B)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to purchase major equipment, including all of the following:
(i)Refrigeration and freezer systems.
(ii)Dishwashers.
(iii)Baking equipment.
(iv)Ranges and convection ovens.
(v)Tables and furniture.
(vi)Other cooking equipment, supplies, and utensils.
(C)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may also be used for both of the following purposes:
(i)Permits and inspection fees required by local governments and tribal agencies.
(ii)Video equipment used to make teaching kitchen classes available via videoconferencing, recordings, and other means.
(D)Moneys allocated pursuant to this paragraph may be used to develop training programs for beginning food makers, food entrepreneurs, and farmers and ranchers developing value-added products for the purpose of bringing jobs to their communities.
(8)(A)Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to expand Food is Medicine programs administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, in collaboration with the California Department of Aging and the federal Indian Health Service.
(B)Grant moneys awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall prioritize infrastructure for the production and distribution of medically tailored meals pursuant to the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and to support produce prescriptions, food pharmacies, and other appropriate nutrition services that address medical needs, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i)Production scale commercial kitchens, including facilities and equipment.
(ii)Refrigeration and freezer capacity.
(iii)Refrigerated vehicles or trailers.
(iv)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and food pharmacies.
(C)For purposes of this paragraph, Food is Medicine programs are programs prescribed by health care professionals that are designed to meet the dietary and health needs of vulnerable people with chronic and acute illnesses through the Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Program established pursuant to Section 14042.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(e)The Department of Food and Agriculture may provide up to 50 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section as a cash advance for actual expenditures made by a recipient.
(f)Technical assistance and workforce development moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be allocated for training to support the procurement of California-produced organic food, improving language accessibility, and implementation of the Local, Equitable Access to Food (LEAF) Program (Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 49020)) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
80744.(a)Of the moneys available pursuant to Section 80740, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs under the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act (Division 8.5 (commencing with Section 9000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code).
(b)In allocating moneys pursuant to this section, the California Department of Aging shall prioritize purchasing, upgrading, or refurbishing infrastructure for the production and distribution of congregate or home-delivered meals, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1)Production-scale commercial kitchens.
(2)Warming, refrigeration, or freezer capacity.
(3)Refrigerated vehicles.
(4)Building improvements to expand capacity for providers of meals.
(5)Technological or data system infrastructure for monitoring client health outcomes.
(6)Food from local producers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and producers, farmers, and ranchers who use sustainable agriculture practices, including organic agriculture.
(7)Expanding infrastructure to support farm-to-seniors programs that improve older adults access to California grown and produced food, focusing on local organic produce and local meat, poultry, and dairy products.
5.Strengthening Regional Food Economies80750.The sum of nine hundred fifteen million dollars ($915,000,000) shall be available for purposes of this chapter.
80751.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, four hundred seventy million dollars ($470,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To develop or upgrade aggregation, primary processing, cooling, and storage facilities for farm and fiber products, with a focus on regions that have insufficient capacity to meet the needs of farmers.
(2)To develop or upgrade processing facilities and supply chain infrastructure in urban and rural areas, including those that could increase capacity when needed to support emergency food distribution.
(3)To support the development of value-added processing of agricultural products that increase income and market opportunities for farmers and ranchers, including upgrades to producer or handler facilities to comply with organic certification requirements.
(4)To develop or upgrade facilities that support the development and growth of new food and fiber businesses, including commercial or community kitchens and food and fiber processing, cooling, storage, and distribution facilities.
(b)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize all of the following:
(1)Projects that provide culturally relevant food access.
(2)Projects that support job creation, training, and placement.
(3)Projects, such as food hubs and marketing cooperatives, that meet the supply chain and marketing needs of locally and regionally produced food and fiber products.
(4)Projects, including agriculture centers and food hubs, that incorporate support for producers during public safety power shutoffs and disasters, including backup energy supply for recharging battery powered equipment, temporary housing of evacuated livestock, and food preservation equipment or cold storage.
(5)Projects that have been included or identified as needed in producer or community-guided regional food system planning processes implemented with local public and philanthropic moneys or local, state, or federal moneys.
(c)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to farmers, ranchers, nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal governments, and businesses, including cooperatives.
80752.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.
(b)The State Coastal Conservancy shall award grants pursuant to this section only to public entities, nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments, that provide fishing facilities and related infrastructure to the commercial fishing industry.
(c)For purposes of this section, fishing facilities and related infrastructure include, but are not limited to, fish handling and processing infrastructure and facilities, such as public hoists, ice machines, gear storage, refrigeration, freezers, and other processing facilities, and canneries.
80753.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity, including for any of the following purposes:
(1)To build, expand, or upgrade meat processing infrastructure for slaughter, cut and wrap, and value-added processing.
(2)To develop mobile meat processing facilities that meet federal inspection and certification guidelines and can serve multiple meat producers.
(3)To upgrade inspection protocols and data and communication hardware commensurate with a robust meat inspection service to enable interstate and intrastate sales of meat and poultry from state inspected plants.
(4)To reimburse all or a portion of the costs associated with meeting federal inspection and certification requirements.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall award grants pursuant to this section only to meat processing or tribal businesses that have less than 150 employees.
(c)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize disadvantaged communities and tribal nations.
80754.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, one hundred ten million dollars ($110,000,000) shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
(b)Allocations received by a food processor pursuant to this section shall be used to demonstrate the food processors reliability and effectiveness.
(c)In allocating moneys pursuant to subdivision (a), the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize food processors that primarily serve local and regional in-state markets.
(d)Up to 5 percent of the moneys allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) may be used to provide technical assistance, including program outreach, to potential applicants for project development, completing applications, and project implementation. Of these moneys allocated for technical assistance, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall prioritize supporting small-scale food processors supplying local and regional in-state markets.
80755.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
(b)Nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies shall be eligible to be awarded a grant pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)A project eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section shall meet all of the following requirements:
(A)Primarily serve a disadvantaged community.
(B)Provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(C)Maximize environmental, public health, and economic cobenefits to nearby disadvantaged communities.
(D)Include an advisory group or body that consists of community members from disadvantaged communities and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers involved with, or with knowledge of, sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, or indigenous land stewardship and agricultural practices.
(2)Projects eligible to be funded through a grant awarded pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to, projects that purchase land or build infrastructure to develop regional farmer training sites to enable socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities, and farmworkers entering farm management to share agricultural and ecological knowledge.
(d)In awarding grants pursuant to this section, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall prioritize training sites in disadvantaged communities, and award the majority of the grant moneys to projects that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or farmers and ranchers located in disadvantaged communities or provide farm management and business training to farmworkers to develop new farm operations.
80756.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Conservation for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers by funding existing and new programs to provide technical assistance and grants to purchase equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and create facilities that store tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and fund maintenance, training, and personnel costs.
(b)The purposes for which grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section may be used include, but are not limited to, both of the following:
(1)Grants to develop and expand equipment sharing, including to do either of the following:
(A)Purchase tools, equipment, and infrastructure to support conservation practices, including, but not limited to, soil health practices, water conservation, and wildfire resilience.
(B)Purchase equipment and infrastructure to enhance regional food systems and cooperative resources for small and underserved farmers.
(2)Technical assistance to support cooperative development, training on and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(c)Infrastructure eligible to be purchased using grant moneys awarded pursuant to this section includes, but is not limited to, roller crimpers, seed drills, wood chippers, compost spreaders, tractor trailers, processing equipment, and no-till drills.
(d)Entities eligible to be awarded a grant, or otherwise supported, pursuant to this section include resource conservation districts, University of California Cooperative Extensions, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving small and underserved farmers.
(e)Of the moneys allocated pursuant to this section, the Department Conservation shall do all of the following:
(1)Provide incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(2)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraph (1), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(3)If, after providing incentives to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), there are unallocated moneys, then provide incentives to any farmer or rancher.
80757.(a)Of the moneys made available pursuant to Section 80750, two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.
(b)To support immediate infrastructure deployments to create jobs and promote economic recovery, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery shall award grants or make performance payments for compost infrastructure, including compost spreaders for farms to apply compost, and food recovery projects at existing and new community composting facilities, onfarm composting facilities, and commercial composting facilities to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and nitrous oxide emissions and to support sequestration of carbon in the states agricultural and urban soils.
6.Fiscal Provisions80770.(a)Bonds in the total amount of three billion three hundred sixty-five million dollars ($3,365,000,000), not including the amount of any refunding bonds issued in accordance with Section 80779, may be issued and sold for the purposes expressed in this division and to reimburse the General Obligation Bond Expense Revolving Fund pursuant to Section 16724.5 of the Government Code. The bonds, when sold, issued, and delivered, shall be and constitute a valid and binding obligation of the State of California, and the full faith and credit of the State of California is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of, and interest on, the bonds as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The Treasurer shall issue and sell the bonds authorized in subdivision (a) in the amount determined by the committee to be necessary or desirable pursuant to Section 80773. The bonds shall be issued and sold upon the terms and conditions specified in a resolution to be adopted by the committee pursuant to Section 16731 of the Government Code.
80771.(a)(1)The bonds authorized by this division shall be prepared, executed, issued, sold, paid, and redeemed as provided in the State General Obligation Bond Law, and all of the provisions of that law apply to the bonds and to this division and are hereby incorporated in this division as though set forth in full in this division, except that Section 16727 of the Government Code shall not apply.
(2)Proceeds from the sale of any bonds issued pursuant to this division shall be used only for any of the following purposes:
(A)For the purposes authorized in this division.
(B)To repay moneys borrowed in anticipation of the sale of the bonds, including interest, and to pay interest on the bonds themselves.
(C)To pay the costs of a state agency with responsibility for administering the bond program, including costs incurred by the Treasurer, Controller, Department of Finance, and State Public Works Board for staff, operating expenses, and equipment, and consultants costs.
(D)To pay the costs of the Treasurers office directly associated with the sale and payment of the bonds, including, but not limited to, underwriting discounts, costs of printing, bond counsel, registration, and fees of trustees.
(b)For purposes of this division, the references to committee in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Committee created in Section 80772, and the references to board in the State General Obligation Bond Law shall mean the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
80772.(a)Solely for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and sale pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law of the bonds authorized by this division, the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Committee is hereby created.
(b)The committee consists of the Controller, the Treasurer, and the Director of Finance. Notwithstanding any other law, any member may designate a representative to act as that member in the members place for all purposes, as though the member were personally present.
(c)The Treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the committee. A majority of the committee may act for the committee.
80773.The committee shall determine by resolution if it is necessary or desirable to issue and sell bonds authorized pursuant to this division in order to carry out the actions specified in this division and, if so, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold. Successive issues of bonds may be authorized and sold to carry out those actions progressively, and it is not necessary that all of the bonds authorized to be issued be sold at any one time.
80774.There shall be collected each year and in the same manner and at the same time as other state revenue is collected, in addition to the ordinary revenues of the state, a sum in an amount required to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds becoming due each year. It is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in regard to the collection of the revenue to do and perform each and every act that is necessary to collect that additional sum.
80775.Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, there is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund in the State Treasury, for the purposes of this division and without regard to fiscal years, an amount that equals the total of the following:
(a)The sum annually necessary to pay the principal of, and interest on, bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division, as the principal and interest become due and payable.
(b)The sum necessary to carry out Section 80777.
80776.The board may request the Pooled Money Investment Board to make a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account, in accordance with Section 16312 of the Government Code, for the purpose of carrying out this division less any amount withdrawn pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that the committee has, by resolution, authorized to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to this section and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to Section 80777 and not yet returned to the General Fund. The board shall execute any documents required by the Pooled Money Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan. Any amounts loaned shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division.
80777.For the purposes of carrying out this division, the Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General Fund of an amount not to exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that have been authorized by the committee to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this division, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 80779, less any amount loaned pursuant to Section 80776 and not yet repaid, and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to this section and not yet returned to the General Fund. Any amounts withdrawn shall be deposited in the fund. Any moneys made available under this section shall be returned to the General Fund from proceeds received from the sale of bonds for the purpose of carrying out this division.
80778.All moneys deposited into the fund that are derived from premium and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this division shall be reserved in the fund and shall be available for transfer to the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest, except those amounts derived from premium may be reserved and used to pay the cost of bond issuance before any transfer to the General Fund.
80779.The bonds issued and sold pursuant to this division may be refunded in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section 16780) of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code, which is a part of the State General Obligation Bond Law. Approval by the voters of the state for the issuance of the bonds described in this division includes the approval of the issuance of any bonds issued to refund any bonds originally issued under this division or any previously issued refunding bonds. Any bond refunded with the proceeds of refunding bonds as authorized by this section may be legally defeased to the extent permitted by law in the manner and to the extent set forth in the resolution, as amended from time to time, authorizing that refunded bond.
80780.Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, or of the State General Obligation Bond Law, if the Treasurer sells bonds pursuant to this division that include a bond counsel opinion to the effect that the interest on the bonds is excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes under designated conditions or is otherwise entitled to any federal tax advantage, the Treasurer may maintain separate accounts for the investment of bond proceeds and for the investment of earnings on those proceeds. The Treasurer may use or direct the use of those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate, penalty, or other payment required under federal law or take any other action with respect to the investment and use of those bond proceeds or earnings required or desirable under federal law to maintain the tax exempt status of those bonds and to obtain any other advantage under federal law on behalf of the funds of this state.
80781.The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this division are not proceeds of taxes as that term is used in Article XIII B of the California Constitution, and the disbursement of these proceeds is not subject to the limitations imposed by that article.
SEC. 2.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 3.Section 1 of this act shall take effect upon the approval by the voters of the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, as set forth in Section 1 of this act.
SEC. 4.Section 1 of this act shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election in accordance with provisions of the Government Code and the Elections Code governing the submission of a statewide measure to the voters.
SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to issue a bond to support solutions to the climate crisis and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that would create a more equitable and resilient food and farming system. REVISIONS: HeadingLine 2.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to issue a bond to support solutions to the climate crisis and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that would create a more equitable and resilient food and farming system.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2023 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Aug 21, 2023 | In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. |
| Aug 14, 2023 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Aug 2, 2023 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Jul 13, 2023 | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jul 13, 2023 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 2.) (July 12). |
| Jul 5, 2023 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on GOV. & F. (Ayes 3. Noes 0.) (July 3). Re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F. |
| Jun 14, 2023 | Referred to Coms. on AGRI and GOV. & F. |
| Jun 1, 2023 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 31, 2023 | Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 67. Noes 9. Page 2006.). |
| May 25, 2023 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 1760.) |
| May 18, 2023 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 18). |
| May 18, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 10, 2023 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| May 3, 2023 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Apr 26, 2023 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Apr 17, 2023 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 12, 2023 | Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 11, 2023 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 1.) (April 10). |
| Mar 29, 2023 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (March 29). Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES. |
| Mar 29, 2023 | Coauthors revised. |
| Mar 20, 2023 | Re-referred to Com. on AGRI. |
| Mar 16, 2023 | Referred to Coms. on AGRI. and NAT. RES. |
| Mar 16, 2023 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on AGRI. Read second time and amended. |
| Feb 3, 2023 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 5. |
| Feb 2, 2023 | Read first time. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2023 | Placed on suspense file | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jul 12, 2023 | Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Governance and Finance |
Passed |
|
| Jul 3, 2023 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Governance and Finance] | Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture |
Passed |
|
| May 31, 2023 | AB 408 Wilson Third Reading Urgency | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 18, 2023 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 10, 2023 | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources |
Passed |
|
| Mar 29, 2023 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources] | 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.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| 1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations | ** Support | |
| A Voice for Choice Advocacy | ** Support | |
| Acterra: Action for A Healthy Planet | ** Support | |
| AFL-CIO | ** Support | |
| Agricultural Institute of Marin | ** Support | |
| Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association | ** Support | |
| Alameda County Community Food Bank | ** Support | |
| Alchemist CDC | ** Support | |
| American Farmland Trust | ** Support | |
| Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley | ** Support | |
| Briarpatch Food Co-op | ** Support | |
| Butte County Local Food Network | ** Support | |
| California Association Of Food Banks | ** Support | |
| California Catholic Conference | ** Support | |
| California Cattlemen'S Association | ** Support | |
| California Certified Organic Farmers | ** Support | |
| California Climate and Agriculture Network | * Support | Jul 12, 2023 |
| California Compost Coalition | ** Support | |
| California Environmental Voters | * Support | Apr 10, 2023 |
| California Farmers Union | ** Support | |
| California Farmlink | ** Support | |
| California Food and Farming Network | ** Support | |
| California Institute for Rural Studies | ** Support | |
| California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice | ** Support | |
| Californians Against Waste | * Support | Jul 12, 2023 |
| Californians for Pesticide Reform | ** Support | |
| Carbon Cycle Institute | ** Support | |
| Center For Biological Diversity | ** Support | |
| Center for Ecoliteracy | ** Support | |
| Center For Food Safety; The | ** Support | |
| Center for Good Food Purchasing | ** Support | |
| Center for Land-Based Learning | ** Support | |
| Central California Environmental Justice Network | ** Support | |
| Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy | ** Support | |
| Central Valley Partnership | ** Support | |
| Ceres Community Project | ** Support | |
| Chez Panisse | ** Support | |
| Classic Organic | ** Support | |
| Clean Earth 4 Kids | * Support | Aug 21, 2023 |
| Climate Reality Project, Los Angeles Chapter | ** Support | |
| Climate Reality Project, Orange County | ** Support | |
| Common Table Creative | ** Support | |
| Community Action Partnership of Orange County | ** Support | |
| Community Alliance With Family Farmers | * Support | Jul 12, 2023 |
| Community Environmental Council | ** Support | |
| Community Health Councils | ** Support | |
| Conscious Container | ** Support | |
| Del Norte and Tribal Lands Community Food Council | ** Support | |
| East Bay Natural Grocers | ** Support | |
| Ecological Farming Association | ** Support | |
| Ecology Center | ** Support | |
| Environmental Working Group | ** Support | |
| Everyone's Harvest | ** Support | |
| Families Advocating for Chemical and Toxic Safety | * Support | Aug 21, 2023 |
| Farm to Pantry | ** Support | |
| Fibershed | ** Support | |
| Food for People | ** Support | |
| Food Forward | ** Support | |
| Food Forward | * Support | Mar 29, 2023 |
| Food Forward | * Support | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Foodshare Ventura County | ** Support | |
| Foodwise | ** Support | |
| Former UC Davis Professor | * Indeterminate | Jul 12, 2023 |
| Fresh Approach | ** Support | |
| GMO Science | ** Support | |
| Gophers Limited INC | ** Support | |
| Grandparents in Action | * Support | Aug 21, 2023 |
| Greenbelt Alliance | ** Support | |
| Grove Collaborative | ** Support | |
| Health Care Without Harm | ** Support | |
| Healthcare without Harm | ** Support | |
| Heart Of The City Farmers' Market | ** Support | |
| Hunger Action Los Angeles | ** Support | |
| Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative | ** Support | |
| Kaya Bird LLC | ** Support | |
| Kiss the Ground | ** Support | |
| Kitchen Table Advisors | ** Support | |
| L.A. Compost | ** Support | |
| Los Angeles Food Policy Council | ** Support | |
| Los Angeles Regional Food Bank | ** Support | |
| Mandela Partners | ** Support | |
| Mandela Partners | * Support | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Mandela Station Partners | * Support | Mar 29, 2023 |
| Marin Agricultural Land Trust | ** Support | |
| Marin Food Policy Council | ** Support | |
| McGrath Family Farms | ** Support | |
| Modesto Certified Farmers Market | ** Support | |
| Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO | ** Support | |
| Monterey County Food System Coalition | ** Support | |
| Mount Shasta Farmers' Market | ** Support | |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | ** Support | |
| Navitas Organics | ** Support | |
| Norcal Resist | ** Support | |
| North Bay Soil Health Hub | * Support | Apr 10, 2023 |
| North Coast Growers Association | ** Support | |
| North County Climate Change Alliance | * Support | Jul 12, 2023 |
| Nutrition and Fitness Collaborative of the Central Coast | ** Support | |
| Occidental Arts and Ecology Center | ** Support | |
| Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council | ** Support | |
| Olipop | ** Support | |
| Paicines Ranch | ** Support | |
| Pesticide Action Network | ** Support | |
| Pesticide Action Network North America | ** Support | |
| Physicians for Social Responsibility-San Francisco Bay Area Chapter | ** Support | |
| Pie Ranch | ** Support | |
| Public Health Advocates | ** Support | |
| Public Health Institute | ** Support | |
| Public Health Institute Center for Wellness and Nutrition | ** Support | |
| Pulp Pantry | ** Support | |
| Recology | ** Support | |
| recolte energy | ** Support | |
| Regenerate America Coalition | ** Support | |
| Robert Redford Conservancy At Pitzer College | ** Support | |
| Roots for Change Sustainable Agriculture Education | * Support | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Roots of Change | ** Support | |
| San Diego Food System Alliance | ** Support | |
| San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project | ** Support | |
| San Francisco-Marin Food Bank | ** Support | |
| Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority | * Support | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Santa Cruz Climate Action Network | ** Support | |
| Second Harvest of Silicon Valley | ** Support | |
| Shepherdess Land and Livestock Co. | ** Support | |
| Sierra Harvest | ** Support | |
| Slow Food, Sonoma County North | ** Support | |
| Social Justice Learning Institute | ** Support | |
| Solano County Democratic Central Committee | ** Support | |
| Sonoma Safe Agriculture Safe Schools | ** Support | |
| Stop Waste | * Support | Jul 12, 2023 |
| Straus Family Creamery | ** Support | |
| Sustainable Agriculture Education | ** Support | |
| Taylor Farms | ** Support | |
| The Climate Center | ** Support | |
| The Edible Schoolyard Project | ** Support | |
| The Praxis Project | ** Support | |
| The SF Market | ** Support | |
| Uncommon Good | ** Support | |
| Valley Improvement Projects | * Support | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Wild Farm Alliance | ** Support | |
| Zero Foodprint | ** Support |
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular Session
AB 408 (Wilson) - Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024
Version: August 14, 2023 | Policy Vote: AGRI. 3 - 0, GOV. & F. 6 - 2 |
Urgency: Yes | Mandate: No |
Hearing Date: August 21, 2023 | Consultant: Robert Ingenito |
Bill Summary:
AB 408 would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which places a $3.65 billion general obligation bond before voters in the November 2024, General Election.
Fiscal Impact:
- Bond costs: Total principal and interest costs of approximately $6.05 billion to pay off the bonds ($3.65 billion in principal and $2.40 billion in interest), with average annual debt service payments of $202 million (General Fund), when all bonds are sold, and assuming (1) a 30-year maturity, and (2) an interest rate of 3.63 percent (the rate secured by the State Treasurer’s Office (STO) for new 30-year bonds at the most recent sale). If interest rates increase to 5 percent in the near future, annual debt service would be approximately $237 million (General Fund) and total principal and interest costs over the repayment period would be $7.1 billion. Actual debt service costs could vary significantly from these estimates, reflecting a variety of factors, including (1) the amount of bonds issued each fiscal year, (2) the structure of the bonds sold, (3) the split between taxable and tax-exempt bonds, (4) the market interest rate(s) at the time of issuance, the actual amount (if any) of premium available to offset debt service, and potential future refunding of the bonds.
- Administrative costs: The bond proceeds authorized in this bill would be administered by a total of 16 state departments. Assuming each of those agencies used the full five percent allowed under the bill, total administrative costs would be $183 million (bond funds).
- Ballot costs: The bill would result in one-time costs to the Secretary of State (SOS) of $2.1 million for printing and mailing expenses to place the measure on the ballot (General Fund).
Background:
Bond financing is a way that governments and companies borrow money. The state government uses bonds primarily to pay for the planning, construction, and renovation of infrastructure projects, such as bridges, dams, prisons, parks, schools, and office buildings. The state sells bonds to investors to receive “up-front” funding for these projects and then repays the investors, with interest, over a period of time. One reason for issuing bonds is that the large costs of infrastructure projects can be difficult to pay for all at once. Additionally, infrastructure typically provides services over many years. Thus, it is reasonable for people, both currently and in the future, to help pay for these projects.
The two main types of bonds used by the state are general obligation (GO) bonds and revenue bonds. The state pledges its “full faith and credit” to their repayment, and repays GO bonds using the General Fund, the state’s main operating account, which pays for education, prisons, health care, and other public services. The General Fund is supported primarily by income and sales tax revenues. The California Constitution (1) requires that GO bonds be approved by a majority vote of the public, and (2) sets repayment of GO debt before all other obligations of the State except payments for public education. In contrast, the state repays revenue bonds typically using revenue from the fees or other charges paid by the users of the project (such as from bridge tolls). In other cases, revenue bonds are paid using the state General Fund. Under current law, state revenue bonds do not require voter approval.
After selling bonds, the state makes annual payments until the bonds are paid off. The annual cost of repaying bonds depends primarily on the interest rate and the time period over which the bonds have to be repaid. The state often makes bond payments over a 30-year period (similar to many homeowners making payments on their mortgages). Assuming an interest rate of 5 percent, for each $1 borrowed the state would pay close to $2 over a typical 30-year repayment period. Of that $2 amount, $1 would go toward repaying the amount borrowed (the principal) and close to $1 for interest. However, because the repayment for each bond is spread over the entire 30-year period, the cost after adjusting for inflation is much less—about $1.30 for each $1 borrowed.
Since the 2000s, California voters have approved seven natural resource-related bonds, authorizing nearly $30 billion in borrowing. The two most recent bonds were (1) Proposition 1 in 2014, which provided $7.5 billion primarily for water supply infrastructure, water quality improvements, and habitat restoration activities and (2) Proposition 68 in 2018, which provided $4.1 billion primarily for state and local parks and habitat conservation and restoration activities. Both bonds are mostly expended or encumbered. There is approximately $281 million remaining under Proposition 68 and approximately $40 million remaining under Proposition 1.
Should the voters approve the bond act, the Legislature generally appropriates funds to the chosen agencies to fund projects consistent with the criteria, generally as part of the Budget Act. However, some bond acts do not require direct legislative appropriation, such as school facility bonds. DOF surveys agencies to determine the need for bond funds based on a project’s readiness, and then asks the State Treasurer to sell bonds necessary to fund those projects. After the bond sale, DOF determines which bond acts and agencies receive bond proceeds.
California voters approved $38.4 billion of GO bonds between 1974 and 1999, which increased significantly to $112 billion between 2000 and 2010, then decreased to slightly less than $28 billion between 2010 and 2018. In 2020, voters approved Proposition 14, which authorized $5.5 billion state bonds for stem cell and other medical research.
Voters have not considered a GO bond act that specifically seeks to improve climate resiliency on farms, or improve the state’s food production infrastructure. However, voters have approved the following bond acts that either entirely or partially funded water and flood control projects:
- Proposition 1E, the Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006, which authorized the issuance of GO bonds totaling approximately $4.1 billion for various flood management programs (AB 140, Nunez, 2006). These included the State Central Valley Flood Control System and Delta Levees ($3 billion), flood control subventions ($500 million), stormwater flood management ($300 million), and statewide flood protection corridors and bypasses ($290 million).
- Additionally, voters approved the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, which authorized $5.4 billion in bonds (Proposition 84).
- More recently, the Legislature enacted, and voters approved, Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, which authorized $7.1 billion in new bonds for water quality and supply infrastructure (AB 1471, Rendon, 2014), and Proposition 68 (2018), the $4 billion California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018, (SB 5, De Leon, 2017). According to the State Treasurer, while almost all of the Proposition 1E and Proposition 84 bonds have been sold, $3.1 billion in Proposition 68 and $4.9 billion in Proposition 1 bonds have not yet been sold.
Proposed Law:
This bill would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of $3.65 billion in GO bonds to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities. Specifically, among other things, it would do the following:
- Continuously appropriate funds for the following:
- $1.235 billion for “Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture,” as specified, including:
- $325 million to the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to improve climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, including:
- $100 million for grants for farmers and tribal producers to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and improve water- and nutrient-holding capacity, in a manner that will increase carbon sequestration and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
- $60 million for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures.
- $80 million for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, but not anaerobic digesters.
- $35 million for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices.
- $15 million for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management.
- $35 million for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts.
- $140 million to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multi-benefit flood plain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
- $5 million to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects, including activities such as restoration of nearby habitat.
- $35 million to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species.
- $625 million to the Department of Conservation to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience, including:
- $145 million for grants to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies for the protection and enhancement of agricultural lands, including the acquisition of fee title or agricultural conservation easements on agricultural lands, in order to improve climate resilience, pollinator habitat, California native biodiversity, flood protection, or groundwater recharge.
- $145 million to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers.
- $20 million for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the state’s renewable energy goals.
- $300 million to support the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) through grants to groundwater sustainability agencies (GSA), counties, local agencies designated by a GSA or county, and nongovernmental organizations designated by a GSA or county for implementation of projects supporting reduced use of groundwater and multi-benefit land repurposing at the basin scale.
- $35 million for grants to resource conservation districts pursuant and tribal resource conservation districts to implement projects that restore or enhance riparian corridors on agricultural land.
- $15 million to the Department of Agriculture for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure.
- $70 million to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, including:
- $35 million for grants to upgrade irrigation-district level water delivery systems to conserve water and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, and
- $35 million for grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, limited resource farmers or ranchers, and tribal producers to implement practices supporting reduced use of groundwater in compliance with SGMA.
- $325 million to the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to improve climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, including:
- $750 million for “Protecting the Health and Well-Being of California’s Farmworkers,” as specified:
- $450 million to the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, as specified.
- $75 million to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing.
- $25 million to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, within the Department of Industrial Relations, for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 facemasks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks.
- $100 million to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources.
- $100 million to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers.
- $750 million for “Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security,” as specified, including:
- $320 million to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs.
- $50 million to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans.
- $360 million to CDFA for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community.
- $20 million to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs.
- $915 million for “Strengthening Regional Food Economies,” as specified, including:
- $470 million to CDFA for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy.
- $30 million to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.
- $60 million to CDFA for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity.
- $110 million to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
- $15 million to CDFA for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
- $30 million to CDFA for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers by funding existing and new programs to provide technical assistance and grants to purchase equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and create facilities that store tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and fund maintenance, training, and personnel costs.
- $200 million to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.
- $1.235 billion for “Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture,” as specified, including:
- Specify that up to five percent of the moneys made available to each agency may be used for administrative costs, but not more than 10 percent can be spent for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects.
- Provide that state agencies can allocate bond funds to a federal agency if they determines the allocation is the most efficient way to implement its programs on federally managed lands.
- Specify that at least 50 percent of the moneys made available to each agency must be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations. However, if the agency allocating those moneys reasonably determines it cannot meet this requirement, it may allocate moneys in a manner consistent with the other applicable requirements of the bill that furthers its fundamental purposes to the greatest extent feasible. At least 10 percent of the 50 percent described above must be spent benefiting tribes, tribal producers, and tribal nonprofit organizations.
- Provide that up to 10 percent of funds may be spent on technical assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and tribal producer; however, an agency may exceed the 10 percent limitation if it determines the additional funding is needed to provide technical assistance and capacity building for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, or tribal producers. Agencies can make advance payments for projects serving a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or tribal producer, If any moneys allocated are not encumbered or expended by the recipient entity within the time period specified by the administering agency, the unexpended moneys shall revert to the administering agency consistent with the bill’s requirements.
- Make its provisions severable.
Related Legislation:
Earlier this year, the Senate approved four bills to place authorizations for GO bonds before voters:
- SB 28 (Glazer) would authorize $15.5 for preschool, K-12, Community College, CSU, and UC facilities. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
- SB 638 (Eggman) would authorize $6 billion to finance flood control efforts. The measure currently pending in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee.
- SB 834 (Portantino) would authorize $25 billion for home ownership and construction. The measure is currently pending in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.
- SB 867 (Allen) would authorize $15.5 billion for drought, wildfire, and other climate resilience projects. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
In addition to AB 408, the Assembly also approved six other bills that place authorizations for GO bonds before voters:
- AB 247 (Muratsuchi) would authorize $14 billion for K-12 and Community College Facilities. The bill is currently pending in this Committee.
- AB 305 (Villapudua) would authorize $4.5 billion for flood control projects. The measure is currently pending in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
- AB 531 (Irwin) would authorize $4.68 billion for construction and rehabilitation of, unlocked, voluntary, and community-based treatment settings and residential care settings and housing for veterans and others who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and are living with a behavioral health challenge. The bill is currently pending in this Committee.
- AB 1510 (Jones-Sawyer), enacts the Fighting Fentanyl Bond Act of 2024, which would authorize an unspecified amount for substance use treatment, harm reduction programs, supportive services for students, programs targeting drug trafficking, substance use treatment programs in prisons and juvenile facilities, and recovery housing and transitional housing for previously incarcerated individuals. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee.
- AB 1567 (E. Garcia), would authorize $15.995 billion to finance projects for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought preparation, flood protection, extreme heat mitigation, clean energy, and workforce development programs. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
- AB 1657 (Wicks), would authorize $10 billion to fund affordable rental housing and homeownership programs. The bill is currently pending in this Committee.
Staff Comments:
The State Treasurer recently sold nearly $2.6 billion in general obligation bonds (including refinancing $1.2 billion in existing bond debt). The all-in interest rate on new 30-year bonds sold on April 6, 2023 was 3.63 percent. The estimates noted above assume equivalent rates, but also note the difference in debt service costs if the rate rose to historical averages of 5 percent. Staff notes that interest rates for general obligation bond sales have fluctuated in recent years, with rates as low as 2 percent in 2021 and as high as 3.93 percent in September of 2022. California’s GO Bonds are rated Aa2 by Moody’s Investor Service, AA- by S&P Global Ratings, and AA by Fitch Ratings.
California currently has $67.9 billion of GO and $8.1 billion of lease revenue debt outstanding, which is affordable. The Governor’s 2021 Five-Year Infrastructure Plan estimates that the Debt Service Ratio, or the ratio between debt service and General Fund revenues, was 2.68 percent in 2021-22, 2.84 percent in 2022-23, and will level off at 2.7 percent for the subsequent three fiscal years. Annual expenditures on debt service will grow from $2.9 billion in 2000-01 to $5.8 billion in 2025-26. Additionally, all but 1.4 percent in outstanding debt is paid at a fixed rate of interest. While debt service is currently a small part of the state’s budget, every dollar spent on debt service “crowds out” the funding that is available for other priorities.
Past recommendations from the Legislative Analyst’s Office have emphasized long-term benefits and statewide priorities when funding new programs with GO bond funds since they will be paid back over a period of time. Implementing programs with short-term benefits would result in people 30 years from now paying for programs from which they will not benefit.
SOS indicates that printing and mailing costs associated with placing a measure on the statewide ballot are estimated to be approximately $123,000 per page, based on the average for the last three elections, and depending on the length of the ballot. SOS estimates that this measure would add 17 pages to the Voter Information Guide. Actual costs would depend upon the length of the Title and Summary, analysis by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, proponent and opponent arguments, and text of the proposal.
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE
Senator Anna M. Caballero, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: | AB 408 | Hearing Date: | 7/12/23 |
Author: | Wilson | Tax Levy: | No |
Version: | 5/25/23 | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Grinnell | ||
Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024
Enacts the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which places a $3.365 billion GO bond before voters in the November 2024, general election.
Background
When public agencies issue bonds, they essentially borrow money from investors, who provide cash in exchange for the agencies’ commitment to repay the principal amount of the bond plus interest in the future. Bonds are usually either revenue bonds, which repay investors out of revenue generated from the project the agency buys with bond proceeds or from a specific dedicated revenue source, or general obligation (GO) bonds, which the public agency pays out of general revenues and are guaranteed by its full faith and credit.
State general obligation bonds. Section One of Article XVI of the California Constitution and the state’s General Obligation Bond Law guide the issuance of the state’s GO debt. The Constitution allows the Legislature to place GO bonds on the ballot for specific purposes with a two-thirds vote of the Assembly and Senate. Voters also can place bonds on the ballot by initiative, as they have for parks, water projects, high-speed rail, and stem cell research, among others. Either way, GO bonds must be ratified by majority vote of the state’s electorate. Unlike local GO bonds, approval by the state’s electorate does not automatically trigger an increased tax to repay the bond. The Constitution commits the state to repay investors from general revenues above all other claims, except payments to public education.
California voters approved $38.4 billion of GO bonds between 1974 and 1999, which increased significantly to $112 billion between 2000 and 2010, then decreased to slightly less than $28 billion between 2010 and 2018. In 2020, voters approved Proposition 14, which authorized $5.5 billion state bonds for stem cell and other medical research.
Bond acts have standard provisions that authorize the State Treasurer to sell a specified amount of bonds, and generally include several uniform provisions that:
- Establish the state’s obligation to repay them, and pledge its full faith and credit to repayment;
- Set forth issuance procedures, and link the bond act to the state’s General Obligation Bond Law;
- Designate a finance committee with specified membership, chaired by the State Treasurer;
- Charge the committee with determining whether it is “necessary or desirable” to issue the bonds; and
- Add other mechanisms necessary for the State Treasurer and the Department of Finance (DOF) to implement the bond act, including allowing the board to request a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Board to advance funds for bond-funded programs prior to the bond sale, among others.
In bond acts, the Legislature generally:
- Sets forth categories of projects eligible for bond funds, such as library construction or school facility modernization;
- Chooses an administrative agency to award the funds, such as the State Librarian or the State Allocation Board;
- Details the criteria to guide the administrative agency’s funding in each category;
- Enacts enforcement and audit provisions; and
- Provides for an election to approve the bond act.
Should the voters approve the bond act, the Legislature generally appropriates funds to the chosen agencies to fund projects consistent with the criteria, generally as part of the Budget Act. However, some bond acts do not require direct legislative appropriation, such as school facility bonds. DOF surveys agencies to determine the need for bond funds based on a project’s readiness, and then asks the State Treasurer to sell bonds necessary to fund those projects. After the bond sale, DOF determines which bond acts and agencies receive bond proceeds.
Voters have not considered a GO bond act that specifically seeks to improve climate resiliency on farms, or improve the state’s food production infrastructure. However, voters have approved the following bond acts that either entirely or partially funded water and flood control projects:
- Proposition 1E, the Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006, which authorized the issuance of GO bonds totaling approximately $4.1 billion for various flood management programs (AB 140, Nunez, 2006). These included the State Central Valley Flood Control System and Delta Levees ($3 billion), flood control subventions ($500 million), stormwater flood management ($300 million), and statewide flood protection corridors and bypasses ($290 million).
- Additionally, voters approved the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, which authorized $5.4 billion in bonds (Proposition 84).
More recently, the Legislature enacted, and voters approved, Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, which authorized $7.1 billion in new bonds for water quality and supply infrastructure (AB 1471, Rendon, 2014), and Proposition 68 (2018), the $4 billion California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018, (SB 5, De Leon, 2017). According to the State Treasurer, while almost all of the Proposition 1E and Proposition 84 bonds have been sold, $3.1 billion in Proposition 68 and $4.9 billion in Proposition 1 bonds have not yet been sold
Proposed Law
Assembly Bill 408 enacts the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which places a $3.365 billion GO bond before voters in the November 2024 general election to pay for agricultural, food, farmworker, and climate projects. If approved, the measure directs proceeds of bonds issued and sold to be deposited in the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund (Fund), which the bill creates in the State Treasury.
AB 408 continuously appropriates moneys from the Fund for the following:
- $950 million for “Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture,” as specified, including:
- $280 million to the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to improve climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, including:
- $75 million for grants for farmers and tribal producers to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, and improve water- and nutrient-holding capacity, in a manner that will increase carbon sequestration and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
- $60 million for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures.
- $60 million for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, but not anaerobic digesters.
- $35 million for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices.
- $15 million for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management.
- $35 million for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and tribal producers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts.
- $140 million to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multi-benefit flood plain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
- $5 million to the Department of Pesticide Regulation for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects, including activities such as restoration of nearby habitat.
- $35 million to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species.
- $405 million to the Department of Conservation to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience, including:
- $145 million for grants to nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and public agencies for the protection and enhancement of agricultural lands, including the acquisition of fee title or agricultural conservation easements on agricultural lands, in order to improve climate resilience, pollinator habitat, California native biodiversity, flood protection, or groundwater recharge.
- $145 million to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers.
- $20 million for grants to install agrivoltaics to strengthen farm viability, safeguard land well-suited for farming and ranching, and further the state’s renewable energy goals.
- $60 million to support the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) through grants to groundwater sustainability agencies (GSA), counties, local agencies designated by a GSA or county, and nongovernmental organizations designated by a GSA or county for implementation of projects supporting reduced use of groundwater and multi-benefit land repurposing at the basin scale.
- $35 million for grants to resource conservation districts pursuant and tribal resource conservation districts to implement projects that restore or enhance riparian corridors on agricultural land.
- $15 million to the Department of Agriculture for grants to enhance and build new infrastructure.
- $70 million to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, including:
- $35 million for grants to upgrade irrigation-district level water delivery systems to conserve water and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, and
- $35 million for grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, limited resource farmers or ranchers, and tribal producers to implement practices supporting reduced use of groundwater in compliance with SGMA.
- $280 million to the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to improve climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands, including:
- $750 million for “Protecting the Health and Well-Being of California’s Farmworkers,” as specified:
- $450 million to the Strategic Growth Council to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program, as specified.
- $75 million to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing.
- $25 million to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 facemasks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks.
- $100 million to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources.
- $100 million to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers.
- $750 million for “Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security,” as specified, including:
- $320 million to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs.
- $50 million to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans.
- $360 million to the to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community.
- $20 million to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs.
- $915 million for “Strengthening Regional Food Economies,” as specified, including:
- $470 million to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy.
- $30 million to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.
- $60 million to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity.
- $110 million to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
- $15 million to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
- $30 million to the Department of Conservation for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers by funding existing and new programs to provide technical assistance and grants to purchase equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and create facilities that store tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and fund maintenance, training, and personnel costs.
- $200 million to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.
AB 408 allows up to 5% of the moneys made available to each agency to be used for administrative costs, but not more than 10% can be spent for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects. State agencies can allocate bond funds to a federal agency if the state agency determines the allocation is the most efficient way to implement its programs on federally managed lands. At least 50% of the moneys made available to each agency must be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations. However, if the agency allocating those moneys reasonably determines it cannot meet this requirement, it may allocate moneys in a manner consistent with the other applicable requirements of the bill that furthers its fundamental purposes to the greatest extent feasible. At least 10% of the 50% described above must be spent benefiting tribes, tribal producers, and tribal nonprofit organizations.
Up to 10% of funds may be spent on technical assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and tribal producer; however, an agency may exceed the 10% limitation if it determines the additional funding is needed to provide technical assistance and capacity building for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, or tribal producers. Agencies can make advance payments for projects serving a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or tribal producer, If any moneys allocated are not encumbered or expended by the recipient entity within the time period specified by the administering agency, the unexpended moneys shall revert to the administering agency consistent with the bill’s requirements.
The bill states priority must be given to projects that leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit, with the greatest priority must be givent to projects with multiple health, economic, social, and environmental benefits, and meet one of the following criteria:
- Support the needs expressed by, and leverage the expertise of, community-based organizations and coalitions, and the constituencies they represent.
- Invest in holistic community development efforts, especially in disadvantaged communities, that simultaneously promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation.
- Build the infrastructure needed to support and bolster socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, especially producers of color and small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers and tribal producers.
- Expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet California’s climate goals and the regional needs of California’s communities.
- Emphasize partnerships between community-based and other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, research institutions, and local governments to support economic development and climate resilience.
- Support the formation and continued success of cooperatively owned and operated food and agriculture businesses in historically underserved communities.
- Address the needs of historically underserved communities, including the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and food system workers.
- Support the health, safety, and financial security of the food and agriculture workforce.
- Accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which degrade soil, air, and water quality and disproportionately harm farmworker communities and communities adjacent to farmland.
- Reduce food and nutrition insecurity and increase access to sustainable, healthy, and culturally relevant food for all Californians.
- Acknowledge, protect, and are led by indigenous knowledge and expertise to build more just, equitable, and resilient tribally led food and farming systems.
- Reduce inequities in land ownership and access, return land to tribal control, utilize co-management of lands with tribes, protect farmland, facilitate land tenure, and support farm viability and transition.
The bill also incorporates standard provisions in GO bond law, either explicitly or by reference, with some modifications. The measure creates the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Committee (Committee) comprised of the Director of Finance, the Treasurer, and the Controller, and charges the Committee with determining whether it is necessary or desirable to issue bonds, and if so, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold.
The bill defines many of its terms, includes an urgency clause, and also states legislative findings and declarations supporting its purposes
State Revenue Impact
No estimate.
Comments
1. Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “California’s food and farming system is on the front lines of the climate crisis and if the state wants to create a more climate resilient agricultural sector then it must act now to scale up investments. AB 408 proposes $3.4 billion in bond funding to support four pillars of our food system: climate smart agriculture, farmworker well-being, healthy food access, and regional food infrastructure. Advancing climate smart agriculture practices not only helps farmers, fishers, and ranchers, these practices also bring a host of co-benefits such as supporting biodiversity, improved air and water quality, and support for local jobs and economic development. With this proposed bond the state has an opportunity to scale work up across the state and ensure California’s food and farming system is ready, resilient, and helping our state fight climate change while continuing to feed our communities”
2. Sixteen tons. Setting the right amount of state GO debt is difficult; both the State Treasurer and the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) state that there is no correct level. Instead, experts suggest that states should look at three criteria: affordability, comparability, and optimality.[1]
California currently has $67.9 billion of GO and $8.1 billion of lease revenue debt outstanding, which is affordable. The Governor’s 2021 Five-Year Infrastructure Plan estimates that the Debt Service Ratio, or the ratio between debt service and general fund revenues, as 2.68% in 2021-22, 2.84% in 2022-23, and between 2.67% and 2.7% for the next three fiscal years. Annual expenditures on debt service will grow from $2.9 billion in 2000-01 to $5.8 billion in 2025-26. Additionally, all but 1.4% in outstanding debt is paid at a fixed rate of interest. While debt service is currently a small part of the state’s budget, every dollar spent on debt service reduces the funding that is available for other priorities.
California’s comparability to other states is less favorable, but has improved significantly in recent years. The State Treasurer’s 2022 Debt Affordability Report (DAR), issued last October, contains the following information:
Debt Ratios Of 10 Most Populous States, Ranked By Ratio Of Debt To Personal Income | ||||
State | Moody’s/ S&P/ | Debt to personal income(b) | Debt per capita(b) | Debt as a % |
Texas | Aaa/AAA/AAA | 1.1% | $682 | 1% |
North Carolina | Aaa/AAA/AAA | 1.2% | $686 | 1.1% |
Florida | Aaa/AA/AAA | 1.2% | $756 | 1.3% |
Michigan | Aa1/AA/AA+ | 1.5% | $833 | 1.5% |
Georgia | Aaa/AAA/AAA | 2% | $1,087 | 1.7% |
Pennsylvania | Aa3/A+/AA+ | 2.5% | $1,616 | 2.5% |
Ohio | Aa1/AA+/AA- | 3% | $1,718 | 2.7% |
California Illinois | Aa2/AA-/AA Baa1BBB+-/BBB+ | 3.2% 4.4% | $2,458 $2,958 | 2.9% 4% |
New York | Aa1/AA+/AA+ | 5.1% | $3,871 | 4.1% |
Moody’s Median All States | 2.1% | $1,179 | 2.1% | |
Median For The 10 Most Populous States | 2.25% | $1,352 | 2.1% | |
(a) Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings as of August, 2022 (b) Figures as reported by Moody’s in its 2022 State Debt Medians Report based on 2021 fiscal data, except for California, which reflect fiscal 2020. (c) State GDP numbers have a one-year lag. | ||||
Determining optimality, or whether government is investing in the quantity and quality of public capital desired by residents, and financing the appropriate share with debt, is more difficult. LAO recommends that the Legislature consider the Governor’s annual Five-Year Infrastructure Plan as a starting point to developing a coordinated approach to infrastructure funding, and establish a committee to focus on statewide infrastructure.
3. The good news. Ratings issued from the three major credit rating agencies often inform investors and the public regarding the state’s creditworthiness, and assess any investment risk from investing in California GO bonds. Rating agencies Fitch, Standard and Poor’s, and Moody’s have praised California’s deep and diverse economy, recent balanced and on-time budgets, reduced budget deficits, and improved reserves and liquidity. However, the agencies also state California faces challenges: a highly volatile revenue system, constitutionally-imposed governance restrictions, high housing costs that threaten economic growth, and minimal prefunding of retiree health care benefits, among others. Once considered an outlier, the “credit spread” between California bonds and other states as measured by the benchmark 30-year Municipal Market Data Index has tightened significantly in the last ten years; credit spreads represent the difference in yield between two bonds of similar maturity but different credit quality. The DAR notes that California’s credit spread has declined from a high of more than 150 basis points at the end of 2009 to as narrow as four basis points in September 2018, and was 24 points in June 2022.
4. The bad news. California has a distinct problem: of the $156.4 billion in GO bonds that voters have authorized, around $24.4 billion hasn’t been issued yet. Among others, the state hasn’t issued more than $5.2 billion from the Stem Cell Research Bond approved in 2020, $4.7 billion from the 2014 water bond, and $3.5 billion to fund high speed rail. According to the Treasurer, the state has issued an average of $7.9 billion of GO bonds annually. The Treasurer expects similar issuance amounts in future years. While the state has made great progress reducing the amount of authorized, unissued bonds in recent years, many bond-funded projects have not yet received required approvals. Market appetite and debt service payments limit the amount of GO bonds the state can sell. As a result, projects with voter-approved bond authority, as well as any new GO bond-funded projects, may have to wait to receive the necessary cash.
5. Rates. In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Open Markets Committee (Committee) cut the federal funds rate twice, setting the range between 0.0% and 0.25%. One year later, in response to rising inflation, the Committee began a series of rate increases, with a current range of 4.75% to 5%. Changes in the federal funds rates has broad effects on the economy, including for states when issuing GO bonds; higher interest rates mean borrowers pay more when borrowing the same amount of debt, all else equal. The conflict in Ukraine, the lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, and other trends have caused market fluctuations in interest rates for governments issuing tax-exempt debt. According to the DAR, until October 2021, tax-exempt rates lagged and remained low through the end of December; however, starting in January 2022, tax-exempt interest rates began to rise sharply, snapped back briefly in May and early June, but those gains reversed very quickly. Data from the state’s last four bond sales demonstrates these fluctuations:
- Bond sales between March 2020 and 2021 generally had all-in interest costs just above 2%, and yields between 0.06% and 2.58% depending on duration.
- The March 2022 sale of $2.3 billion in bonds had an all-in true interest cost of 3.09%, and yields ranging from .94% to 3.29%.
- The September 2022 sale of $2.3 billion in bonds had an all-in true interest cost of 3.93%, and yields ranging from 2.34% to 4.3%.
- The April 2023 sale of $2.6 billion in bonds had an all-in true interest cost of 3.63%, and yields ranging between 2.21% to 3.98%.
Given recent fluctuations in interest rates, it’s unclear what the true cost to the state’s General Fund will be when currently authorized, or any newly approved, bonds are sold. For example, a $3.365 billion bond with a 30-year maturity issued at a 2% interest rate would have a total debt service of $4.5 billion, or $150 million per year. The same bond issued at a 4% interest rate has a total debt service of $5.8 billion, or $194 million per year assuming the same inflation rate and yield. Additionally, AB 408 bonds will carry higher interest rates than other state GO debts because investors won’t be able to exclude interest payments from state or federal interest rates because its proceeds pass through government agencies into the hands of private parties.
6. Future attractions. Earlier this year, the Senate approved four bills to place authorizations for GO bonds before voters:
- SB 28 (Glazer) proposes $15.5 for preschool, K-12, Community College, CSU, and UC facilities. The Assembly Higher Education Committee approved the bill, which is now pending in the Assembly Education Committee.
- SB 638 (Eggman) proposes $6 billion to finance flood control efforts. The measure is set for hearing in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee and is double referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
- SB 834 (Portantino) proposes $25 billion for home ownership and construction. The measure is pending in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.
- SB 867 (Allen) proposes $15.5 billion for drought, wildfire, and other climate resilience projects. The Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee approved the bill, and it is currently pending in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
In addition to AB 408, the Assembly also approved six other bills that place authorizations for GO bonds before voters:
- AB 247 (Muratsuchi) proposes $14 billion for K-12 and Community College Facilities. The Senate Education Committee approved the bill on June 14th, and it will also be heard at this Committee’s July 12th hearing.
- AB 305 (Villapudua) proposes $4.5 billion for flood control projects. The measure is currently pending in the Senate Natural Resources Committee, and is double-referred to the Senate Governance and Finance Committee.
- AB 511 (Irwin) proposes $4.68 billion for construction and rehabilitation of, unlocked, voluntary, and community-based treatment settings and residential care settings and housing for veterans and others who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and are living with a behavioral health challenge. The bill is set for hearing in the Senate Housing Committee, and if approved, and will also be heard at this Committee’s July 12th hearing.
- AB 1510 (Jones-Sawyer), enacts the Fighting Fentanyl Bond Act of 2024, which proposes an unspecified amount for substance use treatment, harm reduction programs, supportive services for students, programs targeting drug trafficking, substance use treatment programs in prisons and juvenile facilities, and recovery housing and transitional housing for previously incarcerated individuals. The Senate Health Committee approved the bill on July 5th, and will also be heard at the Committee’s July 12th hearing.
- AB 1567 (E. Garcia), proposes $15.995 billion to finance projects for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought preparation, flood protection, extreme heat mitigation, clean energy, and workforce development programs. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Natural Resources Committee, and is double-referred to the Senate Governance and Finance Committee.
- AB 1657 (Wicks), proposes $10 billion to fund affordable rental housing and homeownership programs. The Senate Housing Committee approved the bill on June 20th, and will also be heard at the Committee’s July 12th hearing.
7. Incoming! The Senate Agriculture Committee approved AB 408 by a vote of 3 to 0 on July 3rd. The Senate Governance and Finance Committee is hearing the bill as the committee of second reference.
8. Urgency. As an urgency statute, AB 408 must be approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the Legislature. Regular legislation takes effect on the January 1 following its passage, but urgency bills take effect as soon as they are passed, signed, and chaptered.
9. Technicals. Committee staff recommend the following technical amendments:
- On Page 12, line 212, insert “for application in accordance with the applicable chapter of this division” after “individual.”
- On Page 14, lines 37 through 39, revise to read ““The purchase of vehicles including pickups, three-wheelers, and drones for transporting, monitoring, and releasing beneficial organisms.”
- On Page 38, line 36, insert “general” between “binding” and “obligation.”
- On Page 39, line 12 , add “subdivisions (a) and (b),” before “Section 16727.” And strike lines 16 to 28.
- Add “Finance” before “Committee” on Page 39, Lines 32 and 39.
- On Page 41, Line 17, after “fund” insert “to be allocated by the board in accordance with this division.”
Assembly Actions
Assembly Agriculture Committee: 10-0
Assembly Natural Resources Committee: 10-1
Assembly Appropriations Committee: 11-4
Assembly Floor: 67-9
Support and Opposition
(7/7/23)
Support: 1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations
A Voice for Choice Advocacy
Acterra: Action for A Healthy Planet
Agricultural Institute of Marin
Agriculture and Land-based Training Association
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Alchemist CDC
American Farmland Trust
Big Pine Paiute Tribe of The Owens Valley
Briarpatch Food Co-op
Butte County Local Food Network
California Association of Food Banks
California Cattlemen's Association
California Certified Organic Farmers
California Climate & Agricultural Network (CALCAN)
California Compost Coalition
California Farmers Union
California Farmlink
California Food and Farming Network
California Institute for Rural Studies
California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice
Californians Against Waste
Californians for Pesticide Reform
Carbon Cycle Institute
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Ecoliteracy
Center for Food Safety; the
Center for Good Food Purchasing
Center for Land-based Learning
Central California Environmental Justice Network
Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy
Central Valley Partnership
Ceres Community Project
Chez Panisse
Classic Organic
Cleanearth4kids.org
Climate Reality Project, Los Angeles Chapter
Climate Reality Project, Orange County
Common Table Creative
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
Community Alliance With Family Farmers
Community Environmental Council
Community Health Councils
Conscious Container
Del Norte and Tribal Lands Community Food Council
East Bay Natural Grocers
Ecological Farming Association
Ecology Center
Environmental Working Group
Everyone's Harvest
Families Advocating for Chemical and Toxics Safety
Farm to Pantry
Fibershed
Food for People
Food Forward
Foodshare Ventura County
Foodwise
Fresh Approach
Gmo Science
Gophers Limited INC
Greenbelt Alliance
Grove Collaborative
Healthcare Without Harm
Heart of The City Farmers' Market
Hunger Action Los Angeles
Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative
Kaya Bird LLC
Kiss the Ground
Kitchen Table Advisors
L.a. Compost
Los Angeles Food Policy Council
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Mandela Partners
Marin Agricultural Land Trust
Marin Food Policy Council
Mcgrath Family Farm
Modesto Certified Farmers Market
Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, Afl-cio
Monterey County Food System Coalition
Mount Shasta Farmers' Market
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Navitas Organics
Norcal Resist
North Coast Growers Association
Nutrition and Fitness Collaborative of The Central Coast
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
Olipop
Paicines Ranch
Pesticide Action Network
Pesticide Action Network North America
Physicians for Social Responsibility - San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
Pie Ranch
Public Health Advocates
Public Health Institute
Public Health Institute's Center for Wellness and Nutrition
Pulp Pantry
Recology
Recolte Energy
Regenerate America Coalition
Robert Redford Conservancy At Pitzer College
Roots of Change
San Diego Food System Alliance
San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project
San Francisco-marin Food Bank
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Shepherdess Land and Livestock Co
Sierra Harvest
Slow Food Sonoma County North
Social Justice Learning Institute
Solano County Democratic Central Committee
Sonoma Safe Agriculture Safe Schools
Straus Family Creamery
Sustainable Agriculture Education
Taylor Farms
The Climate Center
The Edible Schoolyard Project
The Praxis Project
The Sf Market
Uncommon Good
Wild Farm Alliance
Zero Foodprint
Opposition: None received.
-- END --
Robert Wassmer and Ronald Fisher “Debt Burdens of California State and Local Governments: Past, Present and Future.” As requested and supported by the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission. July 2011. ↑
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Senator Melissa Hurtado, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: AB 408 Hearing Date: 7/3/23
Author: | Wilson | ||
Version: | 5/25/23 | ||
Urgency: | Yes | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Reichel Everhart | ||
Subject: Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024
SUMMARY
:
This bill would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 and would authorize $3,365,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance programs to improve agricultural resilience, advance sustainable agriculture, protect the health and well-being of California’s Farmworkers, support healthy food access and nutrition security, and strengthen regional food economies.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
:
- General obligation bonds are a form of long-term borrowing in which the state issues municipal securities and pledges its full faith and credit to their repayment. Bonds are repaid over many years through semi-annual debt service payments. The California Constitution requires that General Obligation bonds be approved by a majority vote of the public and sets repayment of general obligation debt before all other obligations of the state except those for the public school system and public institutions of higher education (Government Code Section 16650-16654 and California Constitution, Article XVI Public Finance [Section 1 – Section 23]).
- Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) established a framework to help protect groundwater resources over the long-term. SGMA was comprised of three pieces of legislation in 2014: AB 1739 (Dickinson), SB 1168 (Pavley), and SB 1319 (Pavley). SGMA requires local agencies to form groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) for high and medium priority basins. GSAs develop and implement groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) for these priority basins and submit them to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The DWR evaluates the GSAs to determine whether the plan is likely to achieve the sustainability goals set forth in it and if the plan complies with GSP regulations.
PROPOSED LAW
:
This bill:
- Finds and declares that a resilient, sustainable, and equitable food and farming system is essential for the economic, cultural, and social well-being of the people of California. The findings and declarations state, among other things, in recent years the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have presented challenges that require “a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainability and resiliency, including investments in infrastructure related to the needs of farms, ranches, traditional food systems, fisheries, farmworkers, distribution systems, and food access.”
- Defines the following:
- “Beginning farmer or rancher” to mean a person who has not operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer, or has operated a farm or ranch or been a tribal producer for not more than 10 consecutive years, and will materially and substantially participate in the operation of a farm, ranch, or tribal producer operation.
- “Committee” to mean the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Finance Committee created pursuant to Section 80772.
- “Disadvantaged community” to mean any of the following:
- A community located in a census tract in which the median household income is less than 80 percent of the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
- A municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 20,000 persons or less, with an annual median household income that is less than 85 percent of the statewide median household income.
- A community located in a census tract in which the household income of at least 20 percent of the population is at or below the federal poverty level based on family size.
- “Food hub” to mean a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution of locally or regionally produced food products.
- “Fund” to mean the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund created pursuant to Section 80703.
- “Heat island effect” means the effect of increased temperatures in urbanized areas caused by structures, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, that absorb and reemit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as farmland, forests, and water bodies.
- “Limited resource farmer or rancher” has the same meaning as defined in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines “limited resource farmer or rancher” to mean a producer who is both:
- A producer whose direct or indirect gross farm sales do not exceed $100,000 in both of the two calendar years that precede the calendar year that corresponds to the relevant program year, adjusted upwards for any general inflation since fiscal year 2004, inflation as measured using the Prices Paid by Farmer Index compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and
- A producer whose total household income is at or below the national poverty level for a family of four, or less than 50 percent of the county median household income for the same two calendar years referenced in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, as determined annually using Commerce Department data.
- Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines “limited resource farmer or rancher” to mean a producer who is both:
- “Local educational agency” to mean a charter school, school district, tribal school, or county office of education.
- “Nonprofit organization” to mean a nonprofit corporation qualified to do business in California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- “Priority population” means any of the following:
- A community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
- A low-income household, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
- A low-income community, as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.
- “Producer” to mean a person, partnership, corporation, or otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products through agricultural arts on land that the entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possess. An entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possess property only during the harvest season for the agricultural products produced on that property is not a “producer.”
- “Resilience” means the ability of an entity or system, including an individual, community, or natural system, and its component parts to absorb, accommodate, and recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its essential basic structures and functions. In the case of natural and working lands, resilience also includes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the lands’ ability to sequester carbon.
- “School food authorities” to have the same meaning as defined in Section 210.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- “Small- and medium-sized farms” to mean farms and ranches of 500 acres or less.
- “Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” to have the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
- “State General Obligation Bond Law” to mean the State General Obligation Bond Law (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 16720) of Part 3 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code), as it may be amended from time to time.
- “Sustainable agriculture” to mean a system of management practices that increases the climate resilience of California’s agriculture sector, provides co-benefits for public health, the economy, and the environment, and can help improve the health of communities by protecting and conserving water, reducing the use of synthetic farm inputs, protecting air quality, improving soil health, increasing biodiversity by supporting native species, reducing on-farm emissions of greenhouse gases, and increasing soil carbon content.
- “Technical assistance” to mean outreach, education, project planning assistance, project design assistance, grant funding application assistance, project implementation assistance, and project reporting assistance provided to project applicants.
- “Tribal government” to mean the government of a tribe, tribal agency, or subdivision thereof.
- “Tribal organization” to mean any of the following:
- A tribal government.
- A legally established organization of native people that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal government, is democratically elected by the adult members of the tribal community to be served by the legally established organization, and maximizes participation of natives native people in all phases of its activities.
- A nonprofit organization chartered under tribal government law or state law that is primarily led by and serves tribal communities.
- “Tribal producer” to mean either of the following:
- A member of a tribe who is involved in agricultural production or traditional Native American tending, gathering, hunting, or fishing practices.
- A member of a tribe who manages land traditionally for food, fiber, ceremonial, or other culture-based purposes.
- “Tribe” to mean a federally recognized Native American tribe or a non-federally recognized Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community listed on the California tribal consultation list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
- “Vulnerable population” to mean a subgroup of a population within a region or community that faces a disproportionately heightened risk of, or increased sensitivity to, impacts of climate change and that lacks adequate resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from those impacts.
- Establishes the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Fund within the State Treasury.
- States up to 5% of the moneys made available to each agency may be used for administrative costs.
- States not more than 10% of the moneys made available may be used for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects.
- States an agency administering moneys made available may use more than 10% of those moneys if the state agency determines that the additional moneys are needed for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations, or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
- States at least 50% of the moneys made available to each agency shall be for projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations. If the agency allocating the funds reasonably determines it cannot allocate the full amount of those moneys, the agency may allocate those moneys consistent with other applicable requirements to the greatest extent feasible.
- States at least 10% of the moneys allocated shall be for projects benefiting tribes, tribal producers, and tribal nonprofit organizations.
- States all services, technical assistance, outreach, and support shall be provided in culturally competent ways that best serve the target population.
- States priority shall be given to projects that can leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.
- States an agency shall prioritize projects that do any of the following, with greatest prioritization for projects that offer multiple health, economic, social, and environmental benefits:
- Support the needs of community-based organizations and coalitions;
- Invest in holistic community development efforts, especially in disadvantaged communities that also promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation;
- Build infrastructure needed to support and bolster socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, especially producers of color and small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers and tribal producers;
- Expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet California’s climate goals;
- Emphasize partnerships between community-based and other nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, research institutions, and local governments to support economic development and climate resilience;
- Support the formation and continued success of cooperatively owned and operated food and agriculture businesses in historically underserved communities;
- Address the needs of historically underserved communities, including the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, disadvantaged communities, and food system workers;
- Support the health, safety, and financial security of the food and agriculture workforce;
- Accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers which degrade soil, air, and water quality and disproportionately harm farmworker communities and communities adjacent to farmlands;
- Reduce food and nutrition insecurity and increase access to sustainable, healthy, and culturally relevant food for all Californians;
- Acknowledge, protect, and are led by indigenous knowledge and expertise to build more just, equitable, and resilient tribally led food and farming systems;
- Reduce inequities in land ownership and access, return land to tribal control, utilize co-management of lands with tribes, protect farmland, facilitate land tenure, and support farm viability and transition.
- States a project funded though this bond shall provide signage informing the public the program received funding from the bond.
- States projects funded through the division shall not be used to fulfill environmental mitigation requirements.
- States an agency may provide advanced payments for a project that serves a disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or tribal producer.
- States up to 10% of the moneys available may be allocated for technical assistance and capacity building. An agency may exceed the 10% limitation if it determines additional funding is needed.
- States all proceeds of bonds sold shall be available to individuals regardless of their immigration status.
- Provides $950,000,000 will be made available for Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture. This includes:
- $280,000,000 to the CDFA to improve climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands.
- $140,000,000 shall be available to the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multi-benefit flood plain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to SGMA.
- $405,000,000 to the Department of Conservation (DOC) to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience.
- $70,000,000 shall be made available to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to support improved climate resilience.
- Provides $750,000,000 for protecting the health and well-being of California’s farmworkers. This includes:
- $450,000,000 to the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
- $75,000,000 to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobile homes, and manufactured housing.
- $25,000,000 to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment (PPE).
- $100,000,000 to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families.
- $100,000,000 to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants for the following purposes:
- The establishment of mobile farmworker resource centers
- Funding the deployment of infrastructure and equipment to provide safe, cool drinking water to farmworkers on job sites.
- Provides $750,000,000 for Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security.
- $320,000,000 shall be available to the Department of General Services (DGS) to provide local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers, the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs.
- $50,000,000 shall be available to the Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
- $360,000,000 shall be available to the CDFA for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, nutrient dense, culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American Foodways, and are grown or produced in California.
- $20,000,000 to the Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs.
- Provides $915,000,000 for Strengthening Regional Food Economies.
- $470,000,000 shall be available to the CDFA for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy.
- $30,000,000 shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure.
- $60,000,000 shall be available to the CDFA for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase capacity.
- $110,000,000 shall be available to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants.
- $15,000,000 shall be available to the CDFA for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
- $30,000,000 shall be available to the Department of Conservation for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers.
- $200,000,000 shall be made available to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality.
- This bill has an Urgency measure, requiring 2/3 vote.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
According to the author:
“California’s food and farming system is on the front lines of the climate crisis and if the state wants to create a more climate resilient agricultural sector then it must act now to scale up investments. AB 408 proposes $3.4 billion in bond funding to support four pillars of our food system: climate smart agriculture, farmworker well-being, healthy food access, and regional food infrastructure. Advancing climate smart agriculture practices not only helps farmers, fishers, and ranchers, these practices also bring a host of co-benefits such as supporting biodiversity, improved air and water quality, and support for local jobs and economic development. With this proposed bond the state has an opportunity to scale work up across the state and ensure California’s food and farming system is ready, resilient, and helping our state fight climate change while continuing to feed our communities.”
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION:
None received.
DOUBLE REFERRAL:
Should this measure be approved by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, the bill will be re-referred to the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance as the committee of second referral.
PRIOR ACTIONS
:
Assembly Floor: | 67 - 9 |
Assembly Appropriations Committee: | 11 - 4 |
Assembly Agriculture Committee: | 10 - 0 |
SUPPORT
:
Sponsors:
Agriculture Institute of Marin
American Farmland Trust
California Certified Organic Farmers
California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN)
California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice
Californians for Pesticide Reform
Carbon Cycle Institute
Center for Food Safety
Central California Environmental Justice Network
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Food Forward
Healthcare Without Harm
Mandela Partners
Monterey Bay Central Labor Council
Natural Resources Defense Council
Pesticide Action Network
Roots of Change
Sustainable Agriculture Education
Support:
1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations
A Voice for Choice Advocacy
Acterra: Action for A Healthy Planet
Agriculture and Land-based Training Association
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Alchemist CDC
American Farmland Trust
Big Pine Paiute Tribe of The Owens Valley
Briarpatch Food Co-op
Butte County Local Food Network
California Association of Food Banks
California Cattlemen's Association
California Compost Coalition
California Farmers Union
California Farmlink
California Food and Farming Network
Californians Against Waste
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Ecoliteracy
Center for Land-based Learning
Central Valley Partnership
Ceres Community Project
Chez Panisse
Classic Organic
Climate Reality Project, Los Angeles Chapter
Climate Reality Project, Orange County
Common Table Creative
Community Environmental Council
Community Health Councils
Conscious Container
Del Norte and Tribal Lands Community Food Council
East Bay Natural Grocers
Ecological Farming Association
Ecology Center
Environmental Working Group
Everyone's Harvest
Families Advocating for Chemical and Toxics Safety
Farm to Pantry
Fibershed
Food for People
Foodshare Ventura County
Foodwise
Fresh Approach
GMO Science
Gophers Limited INC
Greenbelt Alliance
Grove Collaborative
Heart of The City Farmers' Market
Hunger Action Los Angeles
Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative
Kaya Bird LLC
Kiss the Ground
Kitchen Table Advisors
L.A. Compost
Los Angeles Food Policy Council
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Marin Agricultural Land Trust
Marin Food Policy Council
Mcgrath Family Farm
Modesto Certified Farmers Market
Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, AFLO-CIO
Monterey County Food System Coalition
Mount Shasta Farmers' Market
Navitas Organics
North Coast Growers Association
Nutrition and Fitness Collaborative of The Central Coast
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
Olipop
Paicines Ranch
Pesticide Action Network North America
Physicians for Social Responsibility - San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
Public Health Advocates
Public Health Institute
Public Health Institute's Center for Wellness and Nutrition
Pulp Pantry
Recology
Recolte Energy
Regenerate America Coalition
San Diego Food System Alliance
San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project
San Francisco-marin Food Bank
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Shepherdess Land and Livestock Co
Sierra Harvest
Slow Food Sonoma County North
Social Justice Learning Institute
Solano County Democratic Central Committee
Sonoma Safe Agriculture Safe Schools
Straus Family Creamery
Taylor Farms
The Climate Center
The Edible Schoolyard Project
The Praxis Project
The SF Market
Wild Farm Alliance
Zero Foodprint
OPPOSITION:
None received.
-- END --
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 408
Author:(Wilson)
As Amended Ver:May 25, 2023
2/3 vote
SUMMARY
This bill proposes the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food
Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 (CSF Bond) authorizes $3.365 billion in general obligation bonds. The CSF Bond would finance a variety of projects that focus on improving Agriculture resilience and sustainability, protecting the health of farmworkers, expanding health food access and combating hunger, improving regional food economies, supporting Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) planning, aid in pest management and reduce food waste.
Major Provisions
- Establishes the CSF Bond Act of 2024.
- Provides $950 million for Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture
- Provides $750 million to the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
- Provides $750 million for Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security.
- Provides $615 million for Strengthening Regional Food Economies
- Authorizes bonds in the total amount of $3.365 billion be issued and sold for the purposes expressed in this bill and to reimburse the GO Bond Expense Revolving Fund.
- Add and Urgency clause.
- Makes technical and conforming changes.
COMMENTS
This bond will invest $3.365 billion over five years to accelerate California's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while combating climate change, improving food security, and protecting our essential farmworkers. It aims to do this by investing in many parts of the food supply chain from field to table.
California needs many more food hubs to aggregate supply from producers, as well as food processing, meat processing and livestock slaughter facilities, cold storage, and distribution facilities – all with an eye towards building sustainable and resilient local and regional food systems. CSF Bond addresses farmworker health and safety such as safe and affordable housing, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on farmworker homes, and personal protective equipment for wildfires.
CSF Bond invests in infrastructure to combat hunger and improve on farm climate reliance and sustainably. With an estimated 6.4 million food insecure Californians, improves food access for the most vulnerable Californians to combat hunger. Furthermore, the CSF Bond invests in diverse, organic, and regenerative cropping systems to help reduce farmers' economic vulnerabilities by expanding market opportunities. CSF Bond investments also modernize fairground infrastructure, protect groundwater resources, generate more compost, rebuild soil health and improve on-farm resilience to droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks.
Despite several decades of stated commitment by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs) access to the farm safety net, many still face barriers to accessing these important services. Because SDFRs are more likely to operate smaller, more diverse operations than white farmers and ranchers in California, laws, regulations and programs designed to apply to larger growers are either irrelevant or harmful to growers operating small-scale operations. Furthermore cultural and language differences, education, legal status, and farm size all cause additional barriers to SDFRs. California's farmers and ranchers are almost 80% white, in part due to federal farm programs having been managed inequitably, leading to white farmers benefitting more than farmers of color. As a result, generations of SDFRs have faced additional obstacles securing or retaining farmland, accessing new competitive technologies, and entering profitable markets. This bill requires that at least 40% of the funds go to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations unless the agency distributing funds cannot meet that threshold. This bill works to achieve greater equality of access and outcomes for SDFRs in California.
According to the Author
The climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the state's food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. California's low-income communities of color and Tribal communities bear a disproportionate impact of these challenges. Approximately 20% of Californians, or 7.9 million people, are food insecure. At the same time, food banks do not have the means or resources to provide for the large number of hungry Californians. The farmers and ranchers that feed us are not immune to these challenges and many are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale farms and farmers of color.
Arguments in Support
This bond is an important part of California's response to the crises of climate change and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. It is an opportunity to advance economic recovery by investing in increasing access to healthy food; combating hunger in our communities; building resilient and reliable regional food supply chains; supporting small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers; expanding climate-smart farming practices, including organic; and protecting workers in our fields. Perhaps most importantly, this bond is designed to address long-standing inequities in our food system by directing significant resources to farmers, ranchers, and communities of color that have historically been excluded from many state programs.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:
- Total principal and interest costs of approximately $6.9 billion to pay off the bonds, with average annual debt service payments of $173.1 million (General Fund). The State Treasurer's Office notes that the actual debt service could vary significantly from these preliminary estimates based on a variety of factors, including the actual amount of bonds issued per fiscal year, the debt service structure of the bonds sold, the actual breakdown between tax-exempt and taxable bonds, the actual interest rates at the time of issuance, the actual amount of premium available to offset debt service (if any), and any future refunding of bonds.
- The Secretary of State's office estimates a one-time cost of approximately $2.1 million for printing and mailing to place this measure on the November 2024 ballot (General Fund). It costs approximately $123,000 per page for printing costs related to the Voter Information Guide and the text of proposed laws for each new ballot measure.
VOTES
ASM AGRICULTURE: 10-0-1
YES: Robert Rivas, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Connolly, Flora, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Soria, Villapudua, Wood
ABS, ABST OR NV: Mathis
ASM NATURAL RESOURCES: 10-1-0
YES: Luz Rivas, Flora, Addis, Friedman, Hoover, Muratsuchi, Pellerin, Ward, Wood, Zbur
NO: Mathis
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-4-1
YES: Holden, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Papan, Pellerin, Weber, Ortega
NO: Megan Dahle, Dixon, Mathis, Sanchez
ABS, ABST OR NV: Robert Rivas
UPDATED
VERSION: May 25, 2023
CONSULTANT: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084 FN: 0000993
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 408
Author:(Wilson)
As Amended Ver:April 12, 2023
2/3 vote
SUMMARY
This bill proposes the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food
Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 (CSF Bond) authorizes $3.365 billion in general obligation bonds. The CSF Bond would finance a variety of projects that focus on improving Agriculture resilience and sustainability, protecting the health of farmworkers, expanding health food access and combating hunger, improving regional food economies, supporting Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) planning, aid in pest management and reduce food waste.
Major Provisions
- Establishes the CSF Bond Act of 2024.
- Provides $950 million for Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture
- Provides $750 million to the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
- Provides $750 million for Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security.
- Provides $615 million for Strengthening Regional Food Economies
- Authorizes bonds in the total amount of $3,365,000,000 be issued and sold for the purposes expressed in this bill and to reimburse the GO Bond Expense Revolving Fund.
COMMENTS
This bond will invest $3.365 billion over five years to accelerate California's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while combating climate change, improving food security, and protecting our essential farmworkers. It aims to do this by investing in many parts of the food supply chain from field to table.
California needs many more food hubs to aggregate supply from producers, as well as food processing, meat processing and livestock slaughter facilities, cold storage, and distribution facilities – all with an eye towards building sustainable and resilient local and regional food systems. CSF Bond addresses farmworker health and safety such as safe and affordable housing, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on farmworker homes, and personal protective equipment for wildfires.
CSF Bond invests in infrastructure to combat hunger and improve on farm climate reliance and sustainably. With an estimated 6.4 million food insecure Californians, improves food access for the most vulnerable Californians to combat hunger. Furthermore, the CSF Bond invests in diverse, organic, and regenerative cropping systems to help reduce farmers' economic vulnerabilities by expanding market opportunities. CSF Bond investments also modernize fairground infrastructure, protect groundwater resources, generate more compost, rebuild soil health and improve on-farm resilience to droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks.
Despite several decades of stated commitment by the USDA to improve Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (SDFRs) access to the farm safety net, many still face barriers to accessing these important services. Because SDFRs are more likely to operate smaller, more diverse operations than white farmers and ranchers in California, laws, regulations and programs designed to apply to larger growers are either irrelevant or harmful to growers operating small-scale operations. Furthermore cultural and language differences, education, legal status, and farm size all cause additional barriers to SDFRs. California's farmers and ranchers are almost 80 percent white, in part due to federal farm programs having been managed inequitably, leading to white farmers benefitting more than farmers of color. As a result, generations of SDFRs have faced additional obstacles securing or retaining farmland, accessing new competitive technologies, and entering profitable markets. This bill requires that at least 40 percent of the funds go to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations unless the agency distributing funds cannot meet that threshold. This bill works to achieve greater equality of access and outcomes for SDFRs in California.
According to the Author
The climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the state's food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. California's low-income communities of color and Tribal communities bear a disproportionate impact of these challenges. Approximately 20 percent of Californians, or 7.9 million people, are food insecure. At the same time, food banks do not have the means or resources to provide for the large number of hungry Californians. The farmers and ranchers that feed us are not immune to these challenges and many are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale farms and farmers of color.
Arguments in Support
This bond is an important part of California's response to the crises of climate change and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. It is an opportunity to advance economic recovery by investing in increasing access to healthy food; combating hunger in our communities; building resilient and reliable regional food supply chains; supporting small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers; expanding climate-smart farming practices, including organic; and protecting workers in our fields. Perhaps most importantly, this bond is designed to address long-standing inequities in our food system by directing significant resources to farmers, ranchers, and communities of color that have historically been excluded from many state programs.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations:
- Total principal and interest costs of approximately $6.9 billion to pay off the bonds, with average annual debt service payments of $173.1 million (General Fund). The State Treasurer's Office notes that the actual debt service could vary significantly from these preliminary estimates based on a variety of factors, including the actual amount of bonds issued per fiscal year, the debt service structure of the bonds sold, the actual breakdown between tax-exempt and taxable bonds, the actual interest rates at the time of issuance, the actual amount of premium available to offset debt service (if any), and any future refunding of bonds.
- The Secretary of State's office estimates a one-time cost of approximately $2.1 million for printing and mailing to place this measure on the November 2024 ballot (General Fund). It costs approximately $123,000 per page for printing costs related to the Voter Information Guide and the text of proposed laws for each new ballot measure.
VOTES
ASM AGRICULTURE: 10-0-1
YES: Robert Rivas, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Connolly, Flora, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Soria, Villapudua, Wood
ABS, ABST OR NV: Mathis
ASM NATURAL RESOURCES: 10-1-0
YES: Luz Rivas, Flora, Addis, Friedman, Hoover, Muratsuchi, Pellerin, Ward, Wood, Zbur
NO: Mathis
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-4-1
YES: Holden, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Papan, Pellerin, Weber, Ortega
NO: Megan Dahle, Dixon, Mathis, Sanchez
ABS, ABST OR NV: Robert Rivas
UPDATED
VERSION: April 12, 2023
CONSULTANT: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084 FN: 0000604
Date of Hearing: May 10, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Chris Holden, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 408
Author:(Wilson) – As Amended Ver:April 12, 2023
Policy Committee: | Agriculture | Vote: | 10 - 0 |
Natural Resources | 10 - 1 | ||
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill enacts the $3.365 billion Climate-Resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 (the bond).
Specifically, this bill, upon approval by the voters in the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, enacts the bond to authorize the issuance of $3.365 billion in general obligation (GO) bonds to finance projects in the following categories:
1) $950 million for improving agricultural resilience and advancing sustainable agriculture.
2) $750 million for protecting the health and well-being of California’s farmworkers.
3) $750 million for sustainable healthy food access and nutrition security.
4) $915 million for strengthening regional food economies.
For a detailed summary of the investments in each of these categories, please see the Assembly Natural Resources Committee analysis of this bill.
FISCAL EFFECT:
1) Total principal and interest costs of approximately $6.9 billion to pay off the bonds, with average annual debt service payments of $173.1 million (General Fund). The State Treasurer’s Office notes that the actual debt service could vary significantly from these preliminary estimates based on a variety of factors, including the actual amount of bonds issued per fiscal year, the debt service structure of the bonds sold, the actual breakdown between tax-exempt and taxable bonds, the actual interest rates at the time of issuance, the actual amount of premium available to offset debt service (if any), and any future refunding of bonds.
2) The Secretary of State’s office estimates one-time costs of approximately $2.1 million for printing and mailing to place this measure on the November 2024 ballot (General Fund). It costs approximately $123,000 per page for printing costs related to the Voter Information Guide and the text of proposed laws for each new ballot measure.
COMMENTS:
1) Purpose. According to the author:
California’s food and farming system is on the front lines of the climate crisis and if the state wants to create a more climate resilient agricultural sector then it must act now to scale up investments….Advancing climate smart agriculture practices not only helps farmers, fishers, and ranchers, these practices also bring a host of co-benefits such as supporting biodiversity, improved air and water quality, and support for local jobs and economic development. With this proposed bond the state has an opportunity to scale work up across the state and ensure California’s food and farming system is ready, resilient, and helping our state fight climate change while continuing to feed our communities.
2) Background. The state often makes bond payments over a 30-year period. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), the state’s estimated debt service payments on GO bonds in fiscal year (FY) 2022-23 total about $6.8 billion – or about 3.25% of estimated General Fund revenues.
Since the 2000s, California voters have approved seven natural resource-related bonds, totaling close to $30 billion. The two most recent bonds were (1) Proposition 1 in 2014, which provided $7.5 billion primarily for water supply infrastructure, water quality improvements, and habitat restoration activities and (2) Proposition 68 in 2018, which provided $4.1 billion primarily for state and local parks and habitat conservation and restoration activities. Both bonds are mostly expended or encumbered. There is approximately $281 million remaining under Proposition 68 and approximately $40 million remaining under Proposition 1.
According to the LAO, the FY 2021‑22 and 2022‑23 budget packages included $27 billion – primarily from the General Fund – for a wide variety of activities related to mitigating and responding to climate change, as well as for protecting and restoring natural resources and the environment. These recent budgets also included agreements to provide additional General Fund support in the out‑years to continue these activities – including $8.7 billion in FY 2023‑24 – for a five‑year total of $40.2 billion. In response to a multibillion dollar budget shortfall facing the state, the Governor’s January budget for FY 2023-24 proposes reducing net General Fund spending by $5.8 billion across five years from climate, resources, and environmental programs. This includes $4.7 billion affecting the FY 2023‑24 budget –$3.8 billion in net spending reductions and $875 million from shifting spending to different fund sources – and an additional roughly $800 million in budget‑year savings by delaying funding for certain programs to a future year.
In his January budget, the Governor mentions the possibility of pursuing a GO bond for replacing or supplementing some program funding but has not yet submitted a formal proposal to do so nor linked any specific program changes to potential bond funding. The Legislature is considering several environmental bond proposals to both fill the gaps where budget cuts may be made and augment funding where the authors want to prioritize spending (see “related legislation” below.) If voters approve the bond in this bill, funding would likely not be appropriated and available until after January 2025. Bond funding is typically appropriated over multiple fiscal years.
3) Support. A coalition of organizations writing in support of this bill state:
As the climate crisis intensifies, we are seeing the vulnerabilities in this system as producers, farmworkers, and Californians facing food insecurity face unprecedented wildfires, catastrophic flood events, an ongoing drought, and other climate impacts. Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic also illustrated the risks faced by the essential workers who feed us, the fragility of our supply chains, and the challenges of food insecure people and communities across our state.
This bond is an important part of California’s response to these twin crises. It is an opportunity to advance economic recovery by investing in increasing access to healthy food; combating hunger in our communities; building resilient and reliable regional food supply chains; supporting small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers; expanding climate-smart farming practices, including organic; and protecting workers in our fields. Perhaps most importantly, this bond is designed to address long-standing inequities in our food system by directing significant resources to farmers, ranchers, and communities of color that have historically been excluded from many state programs.
4) Related Legislation. AB 305 (Villapudua) enacts the California Flood Protection Bond Act of 2024, to authorize the issuance, subject to voter approval, of $4.5 billion in GO bonds for specified projects. AB 305 is pending in this committee.
AB 1567 (Garcia) enacts the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2024, to authorize the issuance, subject to voter approval, of $15.105 billion in GO bonds for specified projects. AB 1567 is pending in this committee.
SB 638 (Eggman) enacts the Climate Resiliency and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2024, to authorize the issuance, subject to voter approval, of $6 billion in GO bonds for specified projects. SB 638 is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 867 (Allen) enacts the Drought, Flood, and Water Resilience, Wildfire and Forest Resilience, Coastal Resilience, Extreme Heat Mitigation, Biodiversity and Nature-Based Climate Solutions, Climate Smart Agriculture, Park Creation and Outdoor Access, and Clean Energy Bond Act of 2024, to authorize the issuance, subject to voter approval, of $15.5 billion in GO bonds for specified projects. SB 867 is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Analysis Prepared by: Nikita Koraddi / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 10, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Luz Rivas, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 408 (
Author:Wilson) – As Amended Ver:March 16, 2023
SUBJECT: Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024
SUMMARY: Enacts the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3.365 billion to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities.
EXISTING LAW:
- Requires, except under certain circumstances, a 2/3 vote of the Legislature and a majority vote of the people at an election, before the state may issue a general obligation (GO) bond. (Article XVI of the California Constitution.)
- Prescribes the state’s responsibilities regarding the issuance and sale of GO bonds. (Government Code 16720 et seq.)
- Provides, pursuant to voter-approved Proposition 68, $4 billion through the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (SB 5, de León, Chapter 852, Statutes of 2017).
THIS BILL:
- Establishes the Climate-Resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024.
- Defines various terms used throughout the bill.
- Authorizes up to 5% of the moneys made available to each agency pursuant to the bond to be used for administrative costs.
- Provides that not more than 10% of the moneys made available to an administering agency may be expended for planning and monitoring necessary for the design, selection, and implementation of projects to be funded by those moneys. Makes exceptions for exceeding that 10% cap.
- Requires at least 40% of the moneys made available to each agency to be allocated to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations, to the greatest extent feasible.
- Requires priority to be given to projects that leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.
- Requires agencies to prioritize projects that support community-based organizations; promote public health, environmental stewardship, climate resiliency, social services, and job creation; build infrastructure for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; expand and retrofit infrastructure to meet California’s climate goals and the regional needs of California’s communities; reduce food insecurity; and, accelerate the transition away from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, among other specified priorities.
- Requires funded projects to include signage indicating the project was funded by this bond.
- Prohibits any bond funds from being used to fulfill any environmental mitigation requirements imposed by law.
- Authorizes agencies to offer advance payments up to 50% of a grant award to support disadvantaged communities.
- Allows up to 10% of funding available to agencies to be allocated for technical assistance. Makes exceptions for exceeding that 10% cap.
- Provides that all proceeds of bonds sold shall be available to individuals regardless of their immigration status.
- Provides $950 million for Improving Agricultural Resilience and Advancing Sustainable Agriculture, including:
- $250 million to Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to improve the climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands;
- $60 million for grants for farmers and tribal producers to improve water use efficiency through improved irrigation management, including surface and groundwater use efficiency measures;
- $60 million for grants for livestock and dairy producers to reduce their methane emissions and increase carbon sequestration through the transition from wet manure handling and storage to dry manure handling and storage, including, but not limited to, pasture-based practices, manure composting, solids separation, prescribed grazing, and compost bedded pack barns;
- $35 million for grants for farmers and tribal producers to transition land for purposes of organic certification and to implement organic farming practices;
- $15 million for grants to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, crop or pest advisers, farmers, and insectaries to construct insectaries to produce beneficial organisms in support of ecological integrated pest management;
- $35 million for grants to support limited resource farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to implement climate-smart practices and provide relief from drought, wildfire, flood, and other climate impacts;
- $140 million for the Wildlife Conservation Board to implement projects that restore, expand, or maintain multibenefit floodplain reconnection and associated habitat restoration in priority groundwater basins pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act;
- $5 million for the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) for grants to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers to implement sustainable pest management projects;
- $35 million to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for grants for equipment and infrastructure to support prescribed grazing in order to accomplish vegetation or conservation goals, including reducing the risk of wildfire by reducing fuel loads, controlling undesirable or invasive plants, and promoting biodiversity and habitat for special status species;
- $420 million to the Department of Conservation to protect agricultural land and support improved climate resilience, and specifies how that funding should be allocated; and,
- $70 million to the Department of Water Resources to support improved climate resilience, and specifies how that funding should be allocated.
Provides $750 million to the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program for projects that include the development of multifamily affordable housing for farmworker families and households. Establishes project eligibility requirements. Requires the SGC to develop guidelines for the awarding of grants. Identifies eligible recipients of the SGC grants. The $750 million includes:
- $50 million to the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mobilehomes, and manufactured housing;
- $25 million to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment, including, but not limited to, cloth, disposable, reusable, or certified N95 face masks, for farmworkers to be used during emergencies, such as wildfires or disease outbreaks;
- $100 million to the State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families who lack access to safe and reliable drinking water sources, including, but not limited to, for projects that include septic tank upgrades or consolidation of septic systems to address water quality contamination and public health threats in farmworker communities and projects that promote resilience and adaptation of small community wastewater treatment facilities at risk from sea level rise or saltwater intrusion, with preference for projects that provide wastewater recharge recycling;
- $25 million to the Office of Emergency Services to expand its California State Warning Center to include targeted alerts for public health dangers, as specified; and,
- $100 million to the Department of Community Services and Development to provide grants to establish farmworker resource centers and drinking water infrastructure for farmworkers.
- Provides $750 million for Sustainable Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Security, including:
- $320 million to the Department of General Services to provide aid to local educational agencies, school food authorities, California American Indian education centers, the federal Office of Indian Education, schools operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools for improving kitchen, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs;
- $50 million to the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Feeding America food banks located in California, California Association of Food Banks members, nonprofit hunger relief organizations, nonprofit organizations that administer medically tailored meal and grocery programs, emergency meal providers that support county and city shelter activities during emergencies and disasters, senior nutrition programs, operators of the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other organizations serving Native Americans;
- $360 million to CDFA for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, are nutrient dense, are culturally relevant, reflect traditional Native American foodways, and are grown or produced in California, prioritizing California-produced organic food products, for residents who are food insecure or members of a disadvantaged community. Specifies how the funds should be allocated; and,
- $20 million to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs under the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act.
- Provides $615 million for Strengthening Regional Food Economies, including:
- $470 to CDFA for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure in response to changing climate conditions, to strengthen urban-rural connectivity, and to support the development of a resilient and equitable food economy;
- $30 million to the State Coastal Conservancy for grants and expenditures for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas;
- 60 million to CDFA for grants to develop meat processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat processing facilities to increase meat processing capacity;
- $110 million to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants, help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases;
- $15 million to CDFA for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers;
- $30 million to DOC for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs for growers by funding existing and new programs to provide technical assistance and grants to purchase equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and create facilities that store tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and fund maintenance, training, and personnel costs; and,
- $200 million to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to commercial compost facilities, public agencies, tribal governments, tribal organizations, producers, or tribal producers to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through avoidance of black carbon and of nitrous oxide and methane emissions through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal to composting facilities, including composting facilities with the capacity to remove glass and plastic contamination from the organic waste so that organic waste can be safely applied to agricultural lands.
- Authorizes bonds in the total amount of $3,365,000,000 be issued and sold for the purposes expressed in this bill and to reimburse the GO Bond Expense Revolving Fund.
- Provides for standard provisions in GO bond law, either explicitly or by reference, as specified.
- Specifies the bond will be on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
- Establishes the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Committee (Committee) for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and sale pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law of the bonds authorized by this bill. Establishes governance of the Committee.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS:
- Making ends meet with bonds. Bonds are a way the state can borrow money to pay various state investments. The state sells bonds to investors to receive “up-front” funding for these projects and then repays the investors, with interest, over a period of time. The state repays GO bonds using the state General Fund. Under the California Constitution, state GO bonds must be approved by voters.
After selling bonds, the state makes annual payments until the bonds are paid off. The annual cost of repaying bonds depends primarily on the interest rate and the time period over which the bonds have to be repaid. The state often makes bond payments over a 30-year period. Over the last five fiscal years, the state has issued an average of $7.3 billion of GO bonds annually. In 2021-22, the state issued $6.6 billion of GO bonds.
- State budget deficit. The state is facing a $22.5 billion deficit, and multi-billion dollar deficits over the next several future fiscal years. Governor Newsom’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 proposes to cut $6 billion (~27% of the total cuts) from its climate change agenda.
The Legislature is currently considering several environmental bond proposals as potential funding options to both fill the gaps where budget cuts may be made and augment funding where the authors want to prioritize spending. Those measures include:
- AB 1567 (Garcia) - $15.105 billion for the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2023.
- SB 638 (Eggman) - $6 billion for the Climate Resiliency and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2024.
- SB 867 (Allen) - $4.1 billion for the Drought and Water Resilience, Wildfire and Forest Resilience, Coastal Resilience, Extreme Heat Mitigation, Biodiversity and Nature-Based Climate Solutions, Climate Smart Agriculture, and Park Creation and Outdoor Access Bond Act of 2023.
- Previous natural resource and water bonds. Since the 2000, California voters have authorized the state to take on more than $19.6 billion in GO bond debt to fund various water, natural resource, and flood protection programs (out of more than $30 billion of all voter-authorized bonds). Administered by a number of state departments, agencies, boards, and conservancies, bond proceeds are expended on various capital outlay projects, and are also disbursed to federal, state, local, and non-profit entities in the form of grants, contracts, and loans.
According to the state’s Bond Accountability website, roughly $281 million from Proposition 68 (2018), $40 million from Proposition 1 (2014), $3.6 million from Proposition 84 (2006), and $29 million from Proposition 1E (2006) are uncommitted to a specific grantee or project at this time. If voters approved this bill, funding would not likely be appropriated and available until after January 2025. Bond funding is typically appropriated over multiple fiscal years.
Treasurer Fiona Ma stated the Treasurer’s October 2021 Debt Affordability Report that “persistent low interest rates have extended an opportunity for our state to access long-term capital at extremely attractive borrowing costs to finance capital projects needed to support the state’s missions.”
- Bond indebtedness. The State Treasure’s office’s (STO) Public Finance Division (PFD) manages the state’s debt portfolio, overseeing the issuance of debt, and monitors and services the state’s outstanding debt. According to PFD, the state has approximately $949 million of variable rate GO bonds outstanding as of the end of 2021-22.
Using certain assumptions for debt issuance, the STO estimates debt service payments from the General Fund will increase by $63.7 million in 2022-23 and $618.6 million in 2023-24.
The most recent reported ratio of General Fund-supported debt service to General Fund revenues was 3.42% in 2021-22. The STO estimates this ratio will be 3.50% in 2022-23.
- Author’s statement:
California’s food and farming system is on the front lines of the climate crisis and if the state wants to create a more climate resilient agricultural sector then it must act now to scale up investments.
AB 408 proposes $3.4 billion in bond funding to support four pillars of our food system: climate smart agriculture, farmworker well-being, healthy food access, and regional food infrastructure.
Advancing climate smart agriculture practices not only helps farmers, fishers, and ranchers, these practices also bring a host of co-benefits such as supporting biodiversity, improved air and water quality, and support for local jobs and economic development.
With this proposed bond the state has an opportunity to scale work up across the state and ensure California’s food and farming system is ready, resilient, and helping our state fight climate change while continuing to feed our communities.
- Committee amendments. The Committee may wish to amend the bill to align the provision of advance payments with current law authorizing various agencies to provide advance payments as follows:
80708.
For moneys allocated for a project that serves a disadvantaged community, vulnerable population, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, the administering agency may provide advanced payments consistent with Section 11019.1 of the Government Code.in the amount of 50 percent of the allocation to the recipient to initiate the project in a timely manner, and may maintain advance payments in increments of 25 percent of the allocation, as needed, throughout the project’s implementation. The administering agency shall adopt additional requirements for additional advance payments to ensure that the moneys are used properly and the project is completed.
- Double referral. This bill was heard in the Assembly Agriculture Committee on April 29, where it was approved by a vote 10-0.
- Urgency. As an urgency statute, AB 408 must be approved by 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature.
- Related legislation. AB 125 (R. Rivas, 2021) proposed the Equitable Economic Recovery, Healthy Food Access, Climate Resilient Farms, and Worker Protection Bond Act of 2022, which, if approved by the voters, would have authorized a $3.302 billion in GO bonds to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, fishing facilities, and fairgrounds. It was referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and held pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations
A Voice for Choice Advocacy
Acterra: Action for A Healthy Planet
Agricultural Institute of Marin
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Alchemist CDC
American Farmland Trust
Butte County Local Food Network
California Association of Food Banks
California Catholic Conference
California Cattlemen's Association
California Certified Organic Farmers
California Climate & Agriculture Network
California Compost Coalition
California Environmental Voters
California Farmers Union
California Farmlink
California Food and Farming Network
California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice
Californians Against Waste
Californians for Pesticide Reform
Carbon Cycle Institute
Center for Food Safety
Central California Environmental Justice Network
Ceres Community Project
Chez Panisse
Climate Reality Project, Los Angeles Chapter
Climate Reality Project, Orange County
Community Alliance With Family Farmers
Community Health Councils
Del Norte and Tribal Lands Community Food Council
Ecological Farming Association
Ecology Center
Environmental Working Group
Everyone's Harvest
Families Advocating for Chemical and Toxics Safety
Farm to Pantry
Fibershed
Food Forward
Foodshare Ventura County
Foodwise
Fresh Approach
Gmo Science
Health Care Without Harm
Heart of The City Farmers' Market
Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative
Kaya Bird LLC
Kiss the Ground
Kitchen Table Advisors
Los Angeles Food Policy Council
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Mandela Partners
Marin Food Policy Council
Mcgrath Family Farm
Modesto Certified Farmers Market
Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Monterey County Food System Coalition
Mount Shasta Farmers' Market
Natural Resources Defense Council
North Coast Growers Association
Nutrition and Fitness Collaborative of The Central Coast
Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
Paicines Ranch
Pesticide Action Network
Pesticide Action Network North America
Public Health Advocates
Recology
Regenerate America Coalition
Roots of Change
San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
Santa Cruz Climate Action Network
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Shepherdess Land and Livestock Co
Sierra Harvest
Slow Food Sonoma County North
Sonoma Safe Agriculture Safe Schools
Sustainable Agriculture Education
Taylor Farms
The Climate Center
The Edible Schoolyard Project
The Praxis Project
Wild Farm Alliance
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Paige Brokaw / NAT. RES. /
Date of Hearing: March 29, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Robert Rivas, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 408
Author:(Wilson) – As Amended Ver:March 16, 2023
SUBJECT: Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024
SUMMARY: Proposes the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food
Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 (CSF Bond) authorizes $3.365 billion in general obligation bonds. The CSF Bond would finance a variety of projects that focus on improving Agriculture resilience and sustainability, protecting the health of farmworkers, expanding health food access and combating hunger, improving regional food economies, supporting Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) planning, aid in pest management and reduce food waste. Specifically, this bill:
- Makes legislative findings that a secure, resilient, sustainable, and equitable food and farming system is essential for the economic and social well-being of the people of California. The COVID-19 public health pandemic has laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system, which is increasingly threatened by climate change. The scale of these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainability and resiliency, including investments in infrastructure, farms, farmworkers, distribution systems, and food access.
- Defines the following:
- “Committee” means the CSF Bond Finance Committee, as specified.
- “Disadvantaged community” means any of the following:
- A community located in a census tract in which the median household income of less than 80 percent of the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
- A municipality with a population of 20,000 persons or less, a rural county, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 20,000 persons or less, with an annual median household income that is less than 85 percent of the statewide median household income.
- A community located in a census tract in which the household income of at least 20 percent of the population is at or below the federal poverty level based on family size.
- “Food hub” means a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution of locally or regionally produced food products.
- “Fund” means the CSF Bond Fund, as specified.
- “Heat-island effect” means the effect of increased temperatures in urbanized areas caused by structures, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, that absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as farms, forests, and water bodies.
- “Limited resource farmer or rancher” (LRFR) has the same meaning as defined in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- “Local educational agency” means a charter school, school district, or county office of education.
- “Nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit corporation qualified to do business in California, as specified.
- “Prescribed burn” means planned fire that is used as a land management and fire prevention tool, as specified.
- “Priority population” means any of the following:
- A community defined as a disadvantaged community, as specified.
- A low incomes community, as specified.
- “Producer” means a person, partnership, corporation, or otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products through agricultural arts on land that the entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possess. An entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possess property only during the harvest season for the agricultural products produced on that property is not a producer.
- “Resilience” means the ability of an entity or system, including an individual, community, or natural system, and its component parts to absorb, accommodate, or recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvement of its essential basic structures and functions. In the case of natural and working lands, resilience includes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the lands’ ability to sequester carbon.
- “School food authorities” has the same meaning as defined in Section 49563 of the Education Code.
- “Small- and medium-sized farms” means farms and ranches of 500 acres or less.
- “Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” (SDFR) has the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
- “State General Obligation Bond Law” means the State General Obligation Bond Law.
- “Technical assistance” means outreach, education, project planning assistance, project design assistance, grant application assistance, project implementation assistance, and project reporting assistance provided to project applicants.
- “Sustainable agriculture” means a system of management practices that increase the climate resilience of California’s agriculture sector, provide co-benefits for public health, the economy, and the environment, and can help improve the health of communities, as specified.
- “Tribal government” means the government of a tribe, tribal agency, or subdivision thereof.
- “Tribal organization” means any of the following:
- A tribal government.
- A legally established organization of natives that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal government, is democratically elected by the adult members of the tribal community to be served by the legally established organization, and maximizes participation of natives in all phases of its activities.
- A nonprofit organization chartered under tribal government law or state law that is primarily led by and serves tribal communities.
- “Tribal produce” means either of the following:
- A member of a tribe who is involved in agricultural production or traditional tending, gathering, hunting, or fishing.
- A cultural practitioner who manages land traditionally for food, fiber, ceremonial, or other culture-based purposes.
- “Tribe” means a federally recognized Native American tribe or a nonfederally recognized Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community listed on the California tribal consultation list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
- “Vulnerable population” means a subgroup of a population within a region or community that faces a disproportionately heightened risk of, or increased sensitivity to, impacts of climate change and that lacks adequate resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from those impacts.
- “Committee” means the CSF Bond Finance Committee, as specified.
- Proposes the CSF Bond that generally would finance projects improving agriculture resilience and sustainability, protecting the health of farmworkers, expanding health food access and combating hunger, improving regional food economies, supporting Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) planning, aid in pest management and reduce food waste.
- Authorizes an amount of not more than 5% of the funds allocated for a grant program to be used to pay administrative costs.
- Authorizes up to 10% of the funds to be used for planning and monitoring necessary for the successful design and implementation of projects.
- Allows grants to disadvantaged communities or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to exceed the 10% threshold.
- Prohibits grants to be used to fulfill any environmental mitigation requirements imposed by law.
- Authorizes advance payments of up to 50% of a grant for projects that serve disadvantaged communities or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
- Requires agencies who receive CSF Bond funds to allocated funds to SDFR, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations, as specified.
- Requires to be available to individual regardless of their immigration status, as specified.
- Proposes the following categorical funding:
- $950 million to improve agriculture resilience and sustainability, as follows:
- $280 million for California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to make grants to improve soil health ($75 million), water use efficiency ($60 million) , methane reduction ($60 million), transition to organics ($35 million), integrated pest management ($15 million), demonstration project (up to $45 million) and technical assistance (up to $95 million).
- Prioritizes grants to the following individuals in order: 1) SDFR, 2) LRFR, and then all other farmers and ranchers.
- Provides that projects eligible to receive grants include, but are not limited to the following:
- The construction of climate-controlled rooms and greenhouses, including, but not limited to, offices, labs, and storage spaces.
- The purchase of equipment, including, but not limited to, vacuum and other monitoring and insect release equipment.
- The purchase of vehicles, including, but not limited to, for transport for monitoring and releasing beneficial organisms, such as pickups, three-wheelers, and drones.
- The purchase of electronic equipment for computing, communications, telecommuting, and community education.
- The purchase of monitoring equipment, and data collection and mapping software, to monitor and map the habitats of pollinators and beneficial pest predators that provide critical ecosystem services.
- The construction of climate-controlled rooms and greenhouses, including, but not limited to, offices, labs, and storage spaces.
- Prioritizes grants to the following individuals in order: 1) SDFR, 2) LRFR, and then all other farmers and ranchers.
- Implement climate smart practices for SDFR and LRFR ($35 million grants),
- Floodplain habitat and restoration work in relation the SGMA, administered by the Wildlife Conservation Board ($140 million).
- Implement sustainable pest management practices for SDFR and LRFR administered by the Department of Pesticide ($5 million grants),
- Prescribed grazing grants for weed control and wildfire prevention, administered by Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ($35 million).
- $420 million to DOC for grants to Agroecosystem improvement ($15 Million), acquisition and improvement of Agriculture land ($45 Million), improve land access for SDFR ($145 million), Agrivoltaic improvements ($20 Million), implementation of SGMA ($60 million), and riparian habitat improvement ($35 million).
- $70 million to the Department of Water Resources for grant to upgrade water district and on farm water systems ($35 Million) and support SDFR and LRFR with SMGA Implementation ($35 Million)
- $280 million for California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to make grants to improve soil health ($75 million), water use efficiency ($60 million) , methane reduction ($60 million), transition to organics ($35 million), integrated pest management ($15 million), demonstration project (up to $45 million) and technical assistance (up to $95 million).
- $750 million to protect the health of farmworkers, as follows.
- $450 million for the Strategic Growth Council to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program for projects that include the development of multiunit affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
- $50 million for the Department of Community Services and Development for grants to improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy use, and climate resilience of farmworker housing, including single-family homes and multiunit buildings.
- $25 million for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for the creation of a stockpile of personal protection equipment for farmworkers use during emergencies.
- $100 million for State Water Resources Control Board for grants to provide safe drinking water and promote public health for farmworker families for projects that include improving septic systems to prevent water contamination and projects that improve wastewater treatment facilities at risk from sea level rise or saltwater intrusion.
- $25 million for the Office of Emergency Services to expand its California State Warning Center, as specified.
- $100 million for the Department of Communities Service and Development for grants to establish farmworkers resource centers.
- $450 million for the Strategic Growth Council to award grants through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program for projects that include the development of multiunit affordable housing for farmworker families and households.
- $750 million for sustainable healthy food access and nutrition security, as follows:
- $320 million for the Department of General Services to provide funding to specified educational agencies and centers to improve or build kitchens, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs, as specified.
- $50 million for the State Department of Social Services to provide aid to participants in the Emergency Food Assistance Program, as specified.
- $360 million for CDFA for grants to ensure communities and tribes are able to obtain or produce foods that are healthy, nutritious, and culturally relevant that are gown in California, as specified.
- $20 million to the California Department of Aging to fund infrastructure that will expand senior nutrition programs, as specified.
- $320 million for the Department of General Services to provide funding to specified educational agencies and centers to improve or build kitchens, meal preparation, meal service, and dining infrastructure used for school nutrition programs, as specified.
- $915 million to strengthen regional food economies, as follows:
- $470 million for CDFA for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure, such as processing, cooling and storage facilities, and supply chain infrastructure, as specified.
- $30 million to the California Coastal Conservancy for grants for the development, restoration, and reconstruction of fishing facilities and related infrastructure serving the commercial fishing industry in urban coastal waterfront areas.
- $60 million to CDFA for grants to develop meat-processing facilities and expand or upgrade meat-processing facilities to increase meat-processing capacity, as specified.
- $110 million to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission for allocation to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at California food processing plants. These funds will help California food processors work towards a low-carbon future, and benefit disadvantaged communities and priority populations by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
- $15 million for CDFA for grants to develop regional farmer training centers to provide culturally relevant assistance for farmers and ranchers.
- $30 million for DOC for grants to develop small and underserved farmer equipment and cooperative resource programs.
- $200 million to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for grants or performance payments to support the development and implementation of projects to improve outdoor air quality through increased diversion of organics from combustion or landfill disposal.
- $470 million for CDFA for grants to enhance local and regional food and fiber infrastructure, such as processing, cooling and storage facilities, and supply chain infrastructure, as specified.
- $950 million to improve agriculture resilience and sustainability, as follows:
- Provides for standard provisions in general obligation bond law, either explicitly or by reference, as specified.
- Specifies the CSF Bond will be on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes CDFA to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Food and Agriculture Code 100 et al
- Allows the Legislature to place general obligation bonds on the ballot for specific purposes with a two-thirds vote of the Assembly and Senate. Government Code 16720 et al
- Requires bonds to be ratified by majority vote in state election. Government Code 16720 et al
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: This bond will invest $3.365 billion over five years to accelerate California’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while combating climate change, improving food security, and protecting our essential farmworkers. It aims to do this by investing in many parts of the food supply chain from field to table.
California needs many more food hubs to aggregate supply from producers, as well as food processing, meat processing and livestock slaughter facilities, cold storage, and distribution facilities – all with an eye towards building sustainable and resilient local and regional food systems. CSF Bond addresses farmworker health and safety such as safe and affordable housing, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on farmworker homes, and personal protective equipment for wildfires.
CSF Bond invests in infrastructure to combat hunger and improve on farm climate reliance and sustainably. With an estimated 6.4 million food insecure Californians, improves food access for the most vulnerable Californians to combat hunger. Furthermore, the CSF Bond invests in diverse, organic, and regenerative cropping systems to help reduce farmers’ economic vulnerabilities by expanding market opportunities. CSF Bond investments also modernize fairground infrastructure, protect groundwater resources, generate more compost, rebuild soil health and improve on-farm resilience to droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks.
According to the author, the climate crisis already adversely affects many parts of the state’s food and farming system. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions have laid bare the vulnerabilities of this system. California’s low-income communities of color and Tribal communities bear a disproportionate impact of these challenges. Approximately 20 percent of Californians, or 7.9 million people, are food insecure. At the same time, food banks do not have the means or resources to provide for the large number of hungry Californians. The farmers and ranchers that feed us are not immune to these challenges and many are struggling to make ends meet as input costs have skyrocketed and ongoing supply chain challenges threaten the viability of agricultural operations, particularly for small-scale farms and farmers of color.
Supporters state this bond is an important part of California’s response to the crises of climate change and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. It is an opportunity to advance economic recovery by investing in increasing access to healthy food; combating hunger in our communities; building resilient and reliable regional food supply chains; supporting small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers; expanding climate-smart farming practices, including organic; and protecting workers in our fields. Perhaps most importantly, this bond is designed to address long-standing inequities in our food system by directing significant resources to farmers, ranchers, and communities of color that have historically been excluded from many state programs.
Despite several decades of stated commitment by the USDA to improve SDFRs access to the farm safety net, many still face barriers to accessing these important services. Because SDFRs are more likely to operate smaller, more diverse operations than white farmers and ranchers in California, laws, regulations and programs designed to apply to larger growers are either irrelevant or harmful to growers operating small-scale operations. Furthermore cultural and language differences, education, legal status, and farm size all cause additional barriers to SDFRs. California’s farmers and ranchers are almost 80 percent white, in part due to federal farm programs having been managed inequitably, leading to white farmers benefitting more than farmers of color. As a result, generations of SDFRs have faced additional obstacles securing or retaining farmland, accessing new competitive technologies, and entering profitable markets. This bill requires that at least 40 percent of the funds go to projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations unless the agency distributing funds cannot meet that threshold. This bill works to achieve greater equality of access and outcomes for SDFRs in California.
General Obligation Bonds: When public agencies issue bonds, they borrow money from investors, who provide cash in exchange for the agencies’ commitment to repay the principal amount of the bond plus interest. Bonds are usually either revenue bonds, which repay investors out of revenue generated from the project the agency buys with bond proceeds, or general obligation bonds, which the public agency pays out of general revenues and are guaranteed by its full faith and credit.
The Constitution allows the Legislature to place general obligation bonds on the ballot for specific purposes with a two-thirds vote of the Assembly and Senate. Voters also can place bonds on the ballot by initiative, as they have for parks, water projects, high-speed rail, and stem cell research, among others. Either way, general obligation bonds must be ratified by majority vote of the state’s electorate. Unlike local general obligation bonds, approval by the state’s electorate does not automatically trigger an increased tax to repay the bond. The Constitution commits the state to repay investors from general revenues above all other claims, except payments to public education.
Related Legislation:
AB 125 (R. Rivas) of 2021 would have enacted the Equitable Economic Recovery, Healthy Food Access, Climate Resilient Farms, and Worker Protection Bond Act of 2022, which, if approved by the voters, would have authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of,$3,302,000,000 to finance programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, fishing facilities, and fairgrounds. This bill was held in Assembly Natural Recourses committee.
AB 2387 (E. Garcia) would have enacted the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2022, ,would have authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $7,430,000,000 to fund climate smart Agriculture projects, among other policy issues. This bill was held in Assembly Appropriations committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Climate and Agriculture Network (Sponsor)
1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations
A Voice for Choice Advocacy
Acterra: Action for A Healthy Planet
Agricultural Institute of Marin
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Alchemist CDC
American Farmland Trust
Butte County Local Food Network
California Association of Food Banks
California Cattlemen's Association
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
California Climate & Agriculture Network (CALCAN)
California Compost Coalition
California Environmental Voters
California Farmers Union
California Farmlink
California Food and Farming Network
California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice
Californians Against Waste
Californians for Pesticide Reform
Carbon Cycle Institute
Center for Food Safety; the
Central California Environmental Justice Network
Ceres Community Project
Chez Panisse
Climate Reality Project, Los Angeles Chapter
Climate Reality Project, Orange County
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Community Health Councils
Del Norte and Tribal Lands Community Food Council
Ecological Farming Association
Ecology Center
Environmental Working Group
Everyone's Harvest
Families Advocating for Chemical and Toxics Safety
Farm to Pantry
Fibershed
Food Forward
Foodshare Ventura County
Foodwise
Fresh Approach
Gmo Science
Health Care without Harm
Heart of the City Farmers' Market
Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative
Kaya Bird LLC
Kiss the Ground
Kitchen Table Advisors
Los Angeles Food Policy Council
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Mandela Partners
Marin Food Policy Council
Mcgrath Family Farm
Modesto Certified Farmers Market
Monterey Bay Central Labor Council,
AFL-CIO
Monterey County Food System Coalition
Mount Shasta Farmers' Market
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
North Coast Growers Association
Nutrition and Fitness Collaborative of The Central Coast
Pesticide Action Network
Pesticide Action Network North America
Public Health Advocates
Regenerate America Coalition
Roots of Change
San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
Santa Cruz Climate Action Network
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Sierra Harvest
Slow Food Sonoma County North
Sonoma Safe Agriculture Safe Schools
Sustainable Agriculture Education
Taylor Farms
The Climate Center
The Edible Schoolyard Project
The Praxis Project
Wild Farm Alliance
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
Discussed in Hearing
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Senate Standing Committee on Governance and Finance
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture
Assembly Floor
Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):