California Assembly Bill AB2496 Introduced / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2496INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member V. Manuel Prez FEBRUARY 24, 2012 An act to amend Section 5951 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to Mexican fruit flies. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2496, as introduced, V. Manuel Prez. Mexican fruit flies. Existing law sets forth legislative findings and declarations stating, among other things, that the introduction of Mexican fruit flies into California presents a serious threat to California's economy. Existing law authorizes the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to establish and operate a facility outside of the state to produce sterile Mexican fruit flies or enter into an agreement with any other public or private entity to jointly establish and operate the facility. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to those findings and declarations. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 5951 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read: 5951. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following: (a) The introduction of Mexican fruit flies into California presents a serious threat to  California's   this state's  economy. (b) The use of alternative methods for pest control is generally preferred to the aerial application of pesticides over urban areas. (c) The use of sterile flies has proven to be one of the most effective nonchemical procedures in the successful control and eradication of Mexican fruit flies. (d) California does not have a reliable source of sterile Mexican fruit flies that may be used to control future infestations of this pest. (e) The federal government, other states, the agricultural industry, and the country of Mexico would all benefit from a reliable source of sterile Mexican fruit flies.