CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 623Introduced by Committee on Agriculture (Assembly Members Robert Rivas (Chair), Mathis (Vice Chair), Aguiar-Curry, Cunningham, Flora, Gray, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Levine, Villapudua, and Wood)February 12, 2021 An act to amend Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to agriculture. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 623, as introduced, Committee on Agriculture. Farmers markets: county agricultural commissioner certificates.Existing law requires a certified farmers market operator to annually register with the Department of Food and Agriculture by applying for and obtaining a certificate from a county agricultural commissioner that shall be valid for 12 months. This bill would change the period of time in which a certified farmers market certificate is valid from 12 months to up to 12 months and make other conforming and nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:47020. (a) An operator of a certified farmers market shall annually register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the certified farmers market is located. The application shall include the times and location of the farmers market, the name and contact information for the operator of the farmers market, and the agent for service of process for the operator. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the operator a certified farmers market certificate.(b) A certified farmers market certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue, and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner shall inspect every certified farmers market within his or her the commissioners jurisdiction at least once for every six months of operation. At the time of application or renewal, the county agricultural commissioner shall provide a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for inspections and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(c) (1) (A) Before selling at a certified farmers market, a producer shall register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located. The application shall include a declaration by the producer that he or she the producer is knowledgeable of and intends to produce in accordance with good agricultural practices, as outlined in the Small Farm Food Safety Guidelines published by the department. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the producer a certified producers certificate.(B) A declaration made pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be used to infer that the producer is not required to comply with other state or federal laws relative to food safety and good agricultural practices.(2) As part of obtaining or renewing a certified producer certificate, a producer farming fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and similar crops shall annually submit to the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located information requested by the department about the specific crops that he or she the producer will harvest or intends to harvest for sale directly to the public. The secretary may promulgate regulations specifying the information a producer is required to submit.(3) A certified producers certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner in each county shall perform at least one onsite inspection for all new certified producers certificate applicants, and may perform additional inspections as needed of the property or properties listed on the certified producers certificate issued in his or her the agricultural commissioners county as deemed appropriate by the county agricultural commissioner to verify production of the commodities being sold at a certified farmers market or the existence in storage of the producers actual harvested production, or both, of any product being sold at a certified farmers market. Where practical or purposeful, verification inspections shall be made when the actual harvest or sale of the commodity in question is occurring. The county agricultural commissioner shall provide to the producer a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for certification or inspection at the time of application or renewal or before any needed additional verification inspection, and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(d) Renewal of a certified farmers market certificate or certified producers certificate may be denied by either the department or a county agricultural commissioner if a certified farmers market or a producer is delinquent in the payment of the required state fee or a county certification and inspection fee or administrative civil penalty authorized pursuant to this chapter. The certificate may be eligible for renewal when all outstanding balances and associated penalties or administrative fines have been paid to the department or the respective county or counties.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 623Introduced by Committee on Agriculture (Assembly Members Robert Rivas (Chair), Mathis (Vice Chair), Aguiar-Curry, Cunningham, Flora, Gray, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Levine, Villapudua, and Wood)February 12, 2021 An act to amend Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to agriculture. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 623, as introduced, Committee on Agriculture. Farmers markets: county agricultural commissioner certificates.Existing law requires a certified farmers market operator to annually register with the Department of Food and Agriculture by applying for and obtaining a certificate from a county agricultural commissioner that shall be valid for 12 months. This bill would change the period of time in which a certified farmers market certificate is valid from 12 months to up to 12 months and make other conforming and nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 623
Introduced by Committee on Agriculture (Assembly Members Robert Rivas (Chair), Mathis (Vice Chair), Aguiar-Curry, Cunningham, Flora, Gray, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Levine, Villapudua, and Wood)February 12, 2021
Introduced by Committee on Agriculture (Assembly Members Robert Rivas (Chair), Mathis (Vice Chair), Aguiar-Curry, Cunningham, Flora, Gray, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Levine, Villapudua, and Wood)
February 12, 2021
An act to amend Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code, relating to agriculture.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 623, as introduced, Committee on Agriculture. Farmers markets: county agricultural commissioner certificates.
Existing law requires a certified farmers market operator to annually register with the Department of Food and Agriculture by applying for and obtaining a certificate from a county agricultural commissioner that shall be valid for 12 months. This bill would change the period of time in which a certified farmers market certificate is valid from 12 months to up to 12 months and make other conforming and nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.
Existing law requires a certified farmers market operator to annually register with the Department of Food and Agriculture by applying for and obtaining a certificate from a county agricultural commissioner that shall be valid for 12 months.
This bill would change the period of time in which a certified farmers market certificate is valid from 12 months to up to 12 months and make other conforming and nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:47020. (a) An operator of a certified farmers market shall annually register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the certified farmers market is located. The application shall include the times and location of the farmers market, the name and contact information for the operator of the farmers market, and the agent for service of process for the operator. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the operator a certified farmers market certificate.(b) A certified farmers market certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue, and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner shall inspect every certified farmers market within his or her the commissioners jurisdiction at least once for every six months of operation. At the time of application or renewal, the county agricultural commissioner shall provide a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for inspections and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(c) (1) (A) Before selling at a certified farmers market, a producer shall register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located. The application shall include a declaration by the producer that he or she the producer is knowledgeable of and intends to produce in accordance with good agricultural practices, as outlined in the Small Farm Food Safety Guidelines published by the department. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the producer a certified producers certificate.(B) A declaration made pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be used to infer that the producer is not required to comply with other state or federal laws relative to food safety and good agricultural practices.(2) As part of obtaining or renewing a certified producer certificate, a producer farming fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and similar crops shall annually submit to the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located information requested by the department about the specific crops that he or she the producer will harvest or intends to harvest for sale directly to the public. The secretary may promulgate regulations specifying the information a producer is required to submit.(3) A certified producers certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner in each county shall perform at least one onsite inspection for all new certified producers certificate applicants, and may perform additional inspections as needed of the property or properties listed on the certified producers certificate issued in his or her the agricultural commissioners county as deemed appropriate by the county agricultural commissioner to verify production of the commodities being sold at a certified farmers market or the existence in storage of the producers actual harvested production, or both, of any product being sold at a certified farmers market. Where practical or purposeful, verification inspections shall be made when the actual harvest or sale of the commodity in question is occurring. The county agricultural commissioner shall provide to the producer a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for certification or inspection at the time of application or renewal or before any needed additional verification inspection, and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(d) Renewal of a certified farmers market certificate or certified producers certificate may be denied by either the department or a county agricultural commissioner if a certified farmers market or a producer is delinquent in the payment of the required state fee or a county certification and inspection fee or administrative civil penalty authorized pursuant to this chapter. The certificate may be eligible for renewal when all outstanding balances and associated penalties or administrative fines have been paid to the department or the respective county or counties.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:47020. (a) An operator of a certified farmers market shall annually register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the certified farmers market is located. The application shall include the times and location of the farmers market, the name and contact information for the operator of the farmers market, and the agent for service of process for the operator. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the operator a certified farmers market certificate.(b) A certified farmers market certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue, and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner shall inspect every certified farmers market within his or her the commissioners jurisdiction at least once for every six months of operation. At the time of application or renewal, the county agricultural commissioner shall provide a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for inspections and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(c) (1) (A) Before selling at a certified farmers market, a producer shall register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located. The application shall include a declaration by the producer that he or she the producer is knowledgeable of and intends to produce in accordance with good agricultural practices, as outlined in the Small Farm Food Safety Guidelines published by the department. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the producer a certified producers certificate.(B) A declaration made pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be used to infer that the producer is not required to comply with other state or federal laws relative to food safety and good agricultural practices.(2) As part of obtaining or renewing a certified producer certificate, a producer farming fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and similar crops shall annually submit to the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located information requested by the department about the specific crops that he or she the producer will harvest or intends to harvest for sale directly to the public. The secretary may promulgate regulations specifying the information a producer is required to submit.(3) A certified producers certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner in each county shall perform at least one onsite inspection for all new certified producers certificate applicants, and may perform additional inspections as needed of the property or properties listed on the certified producers certificate issued in his or her the agricultural commissioners county as deemed appropriate by the county agricultural commissioner to verify production of the commodities being sold at a certified farmers market or the existence in storage of the producers actual harvested production, or both, of any product being sold at a certified farmers market. Where practical or purposeful, verification inspections shall be made when the actual harvest or sale of the commodity in question is occurring. The county agricultural commissioner shall provide to the producer a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for certification or inspection at the time of application or renewal or before any needed additional verification inspection, and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(d) Renewal of a certified farmers market certificate or certified producers certificate may be denied by either the department or a county agricultural commissioner if a certified farmers market or a producer is delinquent in the payment of the required state fee or a county certification and inspection fee or administrative civil penalty authorized pursuant to this chapter. The certificate may be eligible for renewal when all outstanding balances and associated penalties or administrative fines have been paid to the department or the respective county or counties.
SECTION 1. Section 47020 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
47020. (a) An operator of a certified farmers market shall annually register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the certified farmers market is located. The application shall include the times and location of the farmers market, the name and contact information for the operator of the farmers market, and the agent for service of process for the operator. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the operator a certified farmers market certificate.(b) A certified farmers market certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue, and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner shall inspect every certified farmers market within his or her the commissioners jurisdiction at least once for every six months of operation. At the time of application or renewal, the county agricultural commissioner shall provide a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for inspections and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(c) (1) (A) Before selling at a certified farmers market, a producer shall register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located. The application shall include a declaration by the producer that he or she the producer is knowledgeable of and intends to produce in accordance with good agricultural practices, as outlined in the Small Farm Food Safety Guidelines published by the department. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the producer a certified producers certificate.(B) A declaration made pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be used to infer that the producer is not required to comply with other state or federal laws relative to food safety and good agricultural practices.(2) As part of obtaining or renewing a certified producer certificate, a producer farming fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and similar crops shall annually submit to the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located information requested by the department about the specific crops that he or she the producer will harvest or intends to harvest for sale directly to the public. The secretary may promulgate regulations specifying the information a producer is required to submit.(3) A certified producers certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner in each county shall perform at least one onsite inspection for all new certified producers certificate applicants, and may perform additional inspections as needed of the property or properties listed on the certified producers certificate issued in his or her the agricultural commissioners county as deemed appropriate by the county agricultural commissioner to verify production of the commodities being sold at a certified farmers market or the existence in storage of the producers actual harvested production, or both, of any product being sold at a certified farmers market. Where practical or purposeful, verification inspections shall be made when the actual harvest or sale of the commodity in question is occurring. The county agricultural commissioner shall provide to the producer a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for certification or inspection at the time of application or renewal or before any needed additional verification inspection, and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(d) Renewal of a certified farmers market certificate or certified producers certificate may be denied by either the department or a county agricultural commissioner if a certified farmers market or a producer is delinquent in the payment of the required state fee or a county certification and inspection fee or administrative civil penalty authorized pursuant to this chapter. The certificate may be eligible for renewal when all outstanding balances and associated penalties or administrative fines have been paid to the department or the respective county or counties.
47020. (a) An operator of a certified farmers market shall annually register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the certified farmers market is located. The application shall include the times and location of the farmers market, the name and contact information for the operator of the farmers market, and the agent for service of process for the operator. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the operator a certified farmers market certificate.(b) A certified farmers market certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue, and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner shall inspect every certified farmers market within his or her the commissioners jurisdiction at least once for every six months of operation. At the time of application or renewal, the county agricultural commissioner shall provide a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for inspections and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(c) (1) (A) Before selling at a certified farmers market, a producer shall register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located. The application shall include a declaration by the producer that he or she the producer is knowledgeable of and intends to produce in accordance with good agricultural practices, as outlined in the Small Farm Food Safety Guidelines published by the department. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the producer a certified producers certificate.(B) A declaration made pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be used to infer that the producer is not required to comply with other state or federal laws relative to food safety and good agricultural practices.(2) As part of obtaining or renewing a certified producer certificate, a producer farming fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and similar crops shall annually submit to the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located information requested by the department about the specific crops that he or she the producer will harvest or intends to harvest for sale directly to the public. The secretary may promulgate regulations specifying the information a producer is required to submit.(3) A certified producers certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner in each county shall perform at least one onsite inspection for all new certified producers certificate applicants, and may perform additional inspections as needed of the property or properties listed on the certified producers certificate issued in his or her the agricultural commissioners county as deemed appropriate by the county agricultural commissioner to verify production of the commodities being sold at a certified farmers market or the existence in storage of the producers actual harvested production, or both, of any product being sold at a certified farmers market. Where practical or purposeful, verification inspections shall be made when the actual harvest or sale of the commodity in question is occurring. The county agricultural commissioner shall provide to the producer a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for certification or inspection at the time of application or renewal or before any needed additional verification inspection, and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(d) Renewal of a certified farmers market certificate or certified producers certificate may be denied by either the department or a county agricultural commissioner if a certified farmers market or a producer is delinquent in the payment of the required state fee or a county certification and inspection fee or administrative civil penalty authorized pursuant to this chapter. The certificate may be eligible for renewal when all outstanding balances and associated penalties or administrative fines have been paid to the department or the respective county or counties.
47020. (a) An operator of a certified farmers market shall annually register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the certified farmers market is located. The application shall include the times and location of the farmers market, the name and contact information for the operator of the farmers market, and the agent for service of process for the operator. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the operator a certified farmers market certificate.(b) A certified farmers market certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue, and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner shall inspect every certified farmers market within his or her the commissioners jurisdiction at least once for every six months of operation. At the time of application or renewal, the county agricultural commissioner shall provide a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for inspections and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(c) (1) (A) Before selling at a certified farmers market, a producer shall register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located. The application shall include a declaration by the producer that he or she the producer is knowledgeable of and intends to produce in accordance with good agricultural practices, as outlined in the Small Farm Food Safety Guidelines published by the department. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the producer a certified producers certificate.(B) A declaration made pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be used to infer that the producer is not required to comply with other state or federal laws relative to food safety and good agricultural practices.(2) As part of obtaining or renewing a certified producer certificate, a producer farming fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and similar crops shall annually submit to the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located information requested by the department about the specific crops that he or she the producer will harvest or intends to harvest for sale directly to the public. The secretary may promulgate regulations specifying the information a producer is required to submit.(3) A certified producers certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner in each county shall perform at least one onsite inspection for all new certified producers certificate applicants, and may perform additional inspections as needed of the property or properties listed on the certified producers certificate issued in his or her the agricultural commissioners county as deemed appropriate by the county agricultural commissioner to verify production of the commodities being sold at a certified farmers market or the existence in storage of the producers actual harvested production, or both, of any product being sold at a certified farmers market. Where practical or purposeful, verification inspections shall be made when the actual harvest or sale of the commodity in question is occurring. The county agricultural commissioner shall provide to the producer a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for certification or inspection at the time of application or renewal or before any needed additional verification inspection, and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.(d) Renewal of a certified farmers market certificate or certified producers certificate may be denied by either the department or a county agricultural commissioner if a certified farmers market or a producer is delinquent in the payment of the required state fee or a county certification and inspection fee or administrative civil penalty authorized pursuant to this chapter. The certificate may be eligible for renewal when all outstanding balances and associated penalties or administrative fines have been paid to the department or the respective county or counties.
47020. (a) An operator of a certified farmers market shall annually register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the certified farmers market is located. The application shall include the times and location of the farmers market, the name and contact information for the operator of the farmers market, and the agent for service of process for the operator. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the operator a certified farmers market certificate.
(b) A certified farmers market certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue, and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner shall inspect every certified farmers market within his or her the commissioners jurisdiction at least once for every six months of operation. At the time of application or renewal, the county agricultural commissioner shall provide a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for inspections and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.
(c) (1) (A) Before selling at a certified farmers market, a producer shall register with the department by applying for and obtaining a certificate from the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located. The application shall include a declaration by the producer that he or she the producer is knowledgeable of and intends to produce in accordance with good agricultural practices, as outlined in the Small Farm Food Safety Guidelines published by the department. Upon approval of an application, the county agricultural commissioner shall issue to the producer a certified producers certificate.
(B) A declaration made pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall not be used to infer that the producer is not required to comply with other state or federal laws relative to food safety and good agricultural practices.
(2) As part of obtaining or renewing a certified producer certificate, a producer farming fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and similar crops shall annually submit to the county agricultural commissioners office in the county in which the producers land or facility is located information requested by the department about the specific crops that he or she the producer will harvest or intends to harvest for sale directly to the public. The secretary may promulgate regulations specifying the information a producer is required to submit.
(3) A certified producers certificate issued by a county agricultural commissioner shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed annually thereafter. The county agricultural commissioner in each county shall perform at least one onsite inspection for all new certified producers certificate applicants, and may perform additional inspections as needed of the property or properties listed on the certified producers certificate issued in his or her the agricultural commissioners county as deemed appropriate by the county agricultural commissioner to verify production of the commodities being sold at a certified farmers market or the existence in storage of the producers actual harvested production, or both, of any product being sold at a certified farmers market. Where practical or purposeful, verification inspections shall be made when the actual harvest or sale of the commodity in question is occurring. The county agricultural commissioner shall provide to the producer a schedule of fees that reflects an estimate of expenses for certification or inspection at the time of application or renewal or before any needed additional verification inspection, and may charge a certification and inspection fee equal to the actual expenses incurred.
(d) Renewal of a certified farmers market certificate or certified producers certificate may be denied by either the department or a county agricultural commissioner if a certified farmers market or a producer is delinquent in the payment of the required state fee or a county certification and inspection fee or administrative civil penalty authorized pursuant to this chapter. The certificate may be eligible for renewal when all outstanding balances and associated penalties or administrative fines have been paid to the department or the respective county or counties.