Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture

[Roll Call]

Thank you. We have a quorum. There are three file items on the docket for today. Items 1 and 2 are proposed for consent. That objection. I'll entertain a motion. All right. The consent calendar has been moved. Please call the roll.

The motion is on the consent calendar. File item one, SB 1117, and file item two, SB 1186. [Roll Call]

Thank you. Consent calendar is moved out. File item number three is SB 1367 by Hurtado to be presented by Senator Alvarado-Gil. Good morning, Senator.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. May I invite my witness forward as well? Thank you. All right. Thank you so much. I will be presenting Senate Bill 1367 on behalf of Chair Hurtado. This bill seeks to safeguard funding for the safe animal feed education, or SAFE program by extending the sunset on the tonnage assessment for commercial feed from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2031. In 2004, the Assembly Bill 1071, by Assembly Member Matthews, expanded the use of funds from the tonnage assessment to include research and educational objectives.

These research and educational goals are achieved through the CDFA's SAFE program for feed handlers and mills. The SAFE program provides educational resources, training programs, outreach, and research grant opportunities. Without legislative action, statutory authority for the commercial feed tonnage assessment will sunset on January 1, 2025. If the sunset is not extended, the funds allocated for the SAFE program will cease as the tonnage assessment is the only funding source for for this program.

The passage of Senate Bill 1367 would allow for further protection of the SAFE program and continue the unique collaboration between SAFE, the commercial feed industry, and researchers. Here to testify in support of Senate Bill 1367 is Annalee Augustine, representing the California Grade and Feed Association.

Thank you, Senator, Mr. Chair, and Members. Annalee Augustine on behalf of the California Grain and Feed Association. We represent producers of feed and nutrients for California's livestock farmers and companion pet owners. We're proud to sponsor SB 1367, which extends the authority for the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture to designate funding obtained through a tax on commercial feed for research and education. This research and education goes toward the SAFE Animal and Feed education program, commonly known as the SAFE program.

This program provides educational resources, training programs, outreach, research and grant opportunities to help California commercial feed industry ensure the safe manufacture and use of commercial feed. Specific examples include voluntary reviews of labels, industry workshops, and food safety plan consultations. The SAFE program promotes good manufacturing practices, which has become increasingly important as the amount and diversity of animal feed commodities used in California has increased substantially over the past decade. If the sunset is not extended, as the Senator said, the funds allocated for SAFE program will cease. For these reasons, we appreciate your consideration and are pleased to support the bill today. Thank you.

Do we have additional witnesses in support? Please come forward. State your name for the record, please.

Good morning. Taylor Roshan on behalf of California Dairies, Inc. in support. Thank you.

Other additional witnesses in support? All right, thank you. Are there lead witnesses in opposition or any additional witnesses in opposition? Seeing none come forward, Senator. Senator Alvarado-Gil, please close.

Thank you so much. I just want to be clear that this bill merely extends the tonnage tax already in statute from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2031. Senate Bill 1367 does not establish a tax, a new tax on the industry, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

With that, we'll bring it to the Committee for questions or a motion. All right, the bill has been moved.

Thank you.

Motion is do pass. Please call the roll.

The motion is do pass. But first re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations. [Roll Call]

Thank you.

On call. Yeah, we'll open it up. All right. The Committee on Agriculture will reconvene, and at this point, what we will do is entertain a motion to reconsider and open the roll on the matter of the consent calendar. Thank you. Is there any objection? With that objection, we'll reconsider and entertain a motion on moving consent.

The motion is on the consent calendar. File item one, SB 1117, and file item two, SB 1186. [Roll Call]. Cortese.

Thank you. The consent calendar items are moved.

Four. It's out with four votes.

Four votes aye, no votes against. That leaves. We'll open the roll on SB 1367. Hurtado.

File item three, SB 1367. The motion is do-pass. But first refer to the Committee on Appropriations with the Chair. The current vote is three, with the Chair voting aye. [Roll Call]

All right. That Bill is out. 4-0. With that not being any further business of the Committee, the Committee will stand in adjournment. Thank you. Thanks. Sorry about that, Shannon.